Pete Buttigieg, a prominent figure in American politics, especially known for his role as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, owes a part of his love story to a dating app. He connected with his now-husband, Chasten Buttigieg, through Hinge in the summer of 2015. Their relationship blossomed, leading to marriage in 2018 while Pete was serving his mayoral term in South Bend, Indiana. Chasten has been a steadfast partner, supporting Pete through his presidential campaign and embracing family life as they welcomed twins in 2021. Life as parents, as Chasten humorously shared, has shifted their date nights to cozy evenings with takeout and Netflix. But who exactly is the man beside Pete Buttigieg? Let’s delve into the life of Chasten Buttigieg, exploring his background, career, and relationship with the politician.
From Midwest Roots to Center Stage: The Journey of Chasten Buttigieg
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Chasten Buttigieg, pictured alongside Pete Buttigieg in 2017, embodies a supportive and dynamic partnership.
Born Chasten Glezman on June 23, 1989, Chasten’s early life was rooted in Chums Corner, Michigan. After high school, he pursued higher education at the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire, earning a bachelor’s degree in theater and global studies in 2014. His passion for education led him to Milwaukee and later Chicago, where he earned a graduate degree in education from DePaul University. During this time, Chasten worked as a substitute teacher in both Chicago and South Bend, Indiana, public schools, gaining valuable classroom experience. Completing his master’s in 2017, he began teaching humanities at a middle school in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he also enriched student life by running a diversity club and teaching theater. His dedication to education took a temporary pause when he took a leave of absence to champion Pete’s 2020 presidential aspirations, stepping into a new role on the national stage.
Overcoming Challenges: Chasten Buttigieg’s Coming Out Story
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Chasten Buttigieg and Pete Buttigieg are seen at the 23rd Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2022, reflecting their public presence and shared moments.
Growing up in a conservative Roman Catholic family as the youngest of three brothers, Chasten’s journey to self-acceptance included significant personal hurdles. He came out at the age of 18, a decision that initially led to a period of instability. As he recounted to The New York Times in 2018, expressing his sexuality resulted in him needing to leave home, leading to a period of couch-surfing and living out of his car. Despite the initial familial tension, Chasten’s parents have since embraced and supported him and his marriage. His mother, Sherri Glezman, shared with The New York Times that their initial reaction stemmed from concern that Chasten might feel like an outsider compared to his sports-oriented brothers, highlighting a journey of understanding and acceptance within the family.
Hinge Match Made in Heaven: How Pete and Chasten Met
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Pete Buttigieg and Chasten Buttigieg are captured in Arlington, VA, in 2020, illustrating their bond and public life together.
Their modern romance began in the digital world, with Pete and Chasten connecting on the dating app Hinge in the summer of 2015. Pete, recovering from an injury at the time, initiated contact. He mentioned on the LGBTQ&A podcast in 2019 that Chasten’s “witty” online persona and their shared interest in Game of Thrones sparked his interest. Despite living in different cities—Chasten in Chicago and Pete in South Bend—they bridged the distance with long FaceTime conversations before their first face-to-face date. Their initial date was a classic American experience: a minor league baseball game, followed by a tour of downtown South Bend and a riverside walk. From the outset, Pete was transparent about his political ambitions, which initially made Chasten “a little skeptical,” as Pete recalled. However, Pete’s openness about his future path helped lay the foundation for their relationship.
An Airport Proposal: A Symbol of Their Journey
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Chasten Buttigieg and Pete Buttigieg are seen at the White House in 2022, highlighting their journey from dating to political partnership.
In December 2017, Pete orchestrated a memorable proposal at Gate B5 of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, a location significant as it was the virtual spot where Chasten first encountered Pete’s Hinge profile. Pete described the airport as symbolic of their relationship, representing their love for travel and the constant motion inherent in a life intertwined with politics. He meticulously planned the proposal, ensuring the gate was free of flights to create a private moment. As Pete shared with PEOPLE, proposing there signified that Chasten, by saying yes, was “signing up for a life of constant motion” alongside him.
Tying the Knot: Marriage in South Bend
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Chasten Buttigieg and Pete Buttigieg are photographed at the White House in 2023, marking their enduring relationship and public roles.
Pete and Chasten officially became husbands on June 16, 2018, marrying at the Episcopal Cathedral of Saint James in South Bend. They both donned Ted Baker three-piece suits in varying blue shades, complemented by matching socks. Their wedding ceremony, attended by 200 guests and livestreamed on YouTube, was a poignant 30-minute affair that included a reading from Justice Anthony Kennedy’s majority opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds made a celebratory stop at a South Bend Gay Pride Week block party before hosting their reception at LangLab, an arts and co-working space in a renovated furniture factory, showcasing the unique charm of their city to out-of-town guests.
Pawsitive Companions: Life with Truman and Buddy
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Chasten Buttigieg is pictured with his beloved dog, Truman, highlighting his affection for animals.
Dogs are central to the Buttigieg household. Truman and Buddy, their beloved pups, transitioned with them from South Bend to Washington, D.C., when Pete assumed his role in the Biden administration. Truman, a beagle-Labrador mix adopted in April 2017, and Buddy, a one-eyed beagle-pug mix who joined in December 2018, quickly became part of their public persona. Chasten frequently shares photos of their dogs on social media, and the dogs even have a popular X (formerly Twitter) account, @firstdogsSB, with a large following. The family mourned the loss of Truman in June 2023 after six years. Named after Harry S. Truman’s famous quote about needing a dog for friendship in Washington, D.C., Truman was remembered fondly by Chasten on Instagram for his “chaos and love” and his unique quirks, including a love for ice cream and overturning trash cans.
Fatherhood Journey: Welcoming Gus and Penelope
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Pete Buttigieg, Chasten Buttigieg, and their children, Penelope and Gus, are captured at the annual Easter Egg Roll in 2023, portraying their life as a family.
August 2021 marked a new chapter for Pete and Chasten as they joyfully announced becoming parents. “For some time, Chasten and I have wanted to grow our family. We’re overjoyed to share that we’ve become parents!” Pete shared on Twitter. The following month, they introduced Joseph August “Gus” Buttigieg and Penelope Rose Buttigieg to the world, sharing a black-and-white family photo. Pete described fatherhood as “wonderful” and filled with “joy, even sometimes in the hard parts” in an interview on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. Since then, the couple has shared glimpses of their life as parents, from the twins’ first White House visit to their first birthday celebrations, offering a peek into their evolving family dynamic.
Authoring His Story: Chasten’s Literary Voice
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Chasten Buttigieg is seen at the 2023 GLSEN Respect Awards, acknowledging his role as an author and advocate.
Chasten Buttigieg is also an accomplished author, having released his memoir, I Have Something to Tell You, in 2020. The memoir delves into his life journey, from his Michigan upbringing and relationship with Pete to his experiences as South Bend’s “first gentleman.” Chasten emphasized that the book was intended to be honest and reflective, not to offend, focusing on his personal growth and experiences. In May 2023, he released a young adult adaptation of his memoir, aiming to reach younger audiences, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, at a time when such books are facing censorship. He described this young adult version as “the book I wish I could go back in time and hand to younger Chasten,” expanding on his experiences of growing up without LGBTQ+ representation and hoping to empower young people struggling with their identity.
Chasten Buttigieg: More Than Just a Husband
Chasten Buttigieg is a multifaceted individual – a former teacher, author, advocate, and devoted father and husband. His journey from a challenging coming out experience to becoming a public figure alongside Pete Buttigieg is a testament to his resilience and authenticity. As he continues to share his story, Chasten remains an inspiring figure, both within and beyond the political sphere, proving to be much more than just “Pete Buttigieg’s husband” – he is a person of substance, warmth, and significant impact in his own right.
