Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty; Can Nguyen/Shutterstock
Renée ZellwegerandAnt Ansteadmight have seemed like an unlikely match when they were first linked, but the two are still going strong more than three years later.
The couple first met while filming Anstead’s Discovery+ showCelebrity IOU Joyride. Soon after, PEOPLE confirmed Zellweger and Anstead were dating in June 2021. They made theirrelationship Instagram officiala few months later.
While theJudystar maintains a pretty low profile and stays off social media, Anstead has shared a few glimpses of their relationship on Instagram. The two have also spoken about how they happenedto meet at the right placeand during the right time in their lives.
From their first introduction to their Instagram debut, here is a complete timeline of Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead’s relationship.
Spring 2021: Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead meet on the set ofCelebrity IOU Joyride
Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead.Vera Anderson/Wireimage; Michael Kovac/getty
Zellweger first met Anstead while filming an episode of his Discovery+ series,Celebrity IOU Joyride, which helps celebrities give refurbished cars to deserving people in their lives.
In Zellweger’s episode, Anstead and his costar Cristy Lee helped the actress gift twin brothers and caretakers, Jerome and Jerald, with new cars. The duo looked after Zellweger’s friend and former publicist,Nanci Ryder, after she was diagnosed with ALS in 2014and until shepassed away in 2020.
In a later interview withPEOPLE, the British car expert said he was “really grateful” that the show had brought them together.
“I’m really grateful to the show because these amazing things happen in your world and sometimes when things collide, they collide at the most obscure times when you least expect them,” he said. “And that’s what happened in this case.”
June 2021: PEOPLE confirms Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead are dating
A few days after Anstead’sdivorce from ex-wife Christina Haack was finalized,PEOPLE confirmedthat he and Zellweger were dating.
A source told PEOPLEthat the two quickly hit it off and have a lot in common. “Sometimes two people just meet and click, and the timing is right,” the insider said. “Renée is creative … and often goes for guys who think out of the box. She’s smart, thoughtful, and always looking to expand horizons and nurture those around her.”
July 2021: Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead are spotted together for the first time
Over the 2021 Fourth of July weekend, Zellweger and Anstead werespotted togetherfor the first time since the news of their relationship broke. The two were seen spending time together atAnstead’s new beach housein Laguna Beach, California. The couple enjoyed coffee on his balcony and took in the ocean view.
August 9, 2021: Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead attend their first public event
Ant Anstead and Renée Zellweger (R) pictured with guests Lydia and Doug McLaughlin.
Zellweger showed her boyfriend some support and attended the Radford Motors gala with him in Santa Ana, California. The event marked theirfirst public appearanceas a couple.
That same month, asource told PEOPLEthat the couple was “getting pretty serious about each other.” The source added, “They’re both busy with various projects and their careers, but they have a major attraction to each other.”
August 18, 2021: Ant Anstead talks about his relationship with Renée Zellweger for the first time
TheImageDirect.com
During an appearance on E!‘sDaily Pop,Ansteadaddressed his relationshipwith the Academy Award winner for the first time publicly. “Look … everybody knows that Renée and I have become quite close, because we kept it secret for a while, and unfortunately some pictures were taken and put out there,” he said, adding that it was a “real pleasure” to work with Zellweger onCelebrity IOU Joyride.
September 8, 2021: Ant Anstead reveals why he keeps his relationship with Renée Zellweger private
About three months into dating, Anstead opened up about his relationship toPEOPLEand explained why the couple had been keeping things low-key.
“Renée and my relationship is something that’s really private,” he said. “It’s something I’m not really willing to talk too much about. It’s really early in our relationship and I don’t want to put any pressure on that.”
September 16, 2021: Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead make their relationship Instagram official
Ant Anstead/Instagram
In early September 2021, Ansteadmade their relationship Instagram officialwhen he shared a sweet black-and-white photo of himself and Zellweger smiling for the camera.
A source latertold PEOPLEthat the couple are very happy together. “There is so much respect between them,” the source said. “They spend as much time as possible together when they aren’t working on other projects. They truly like each other as well as their romantic attraction. The relationship is serious.”
The source continued, “Renée has found love again, a love where she feels confident and secure about herself … And Ant, too, has had a lot of ups and downs, but seems to have stability in this romance.”
October 18, 2021: Ant Anstead hangs out with Renée Zellweger on set
Ant Anstead Instagram
A month later, Anstead shared aphoto of himself and Zellweger kissingwhile he visited her on the set ofThe Thing About Pamin New Orleans.
December 2021: Ant Anstead says he andRenée Zellwegerhave holiday “plans”
During an appearance onEntertainment Tonight, Anstead revealed that he and Zellweger had plans tospend time together during the holiday season. TheCelebrity IOU: Joyridestar noted, however, that nothing was set in stone because they’re “both very busy.”
Anstead then celebrated Christmas with his loved ones and shared somephotos of his Christmas treeon Instagram. Although Zellweger was not in any of the pictures, Anstead didhonor their relationship with a special ornament. It featured a red car with two cartoon people in the window — one labeled “Ant” and the other “Renée.”
January 2022: Renée Zellweger meets Ant Anstead’s oldest kids
Although Zellweger had already met Anstead’s youngest son, Hudson, it wasn’t until the 2021 holiday season that she met his daughter, Amelie, and son, Archie, who live in England with their mother (Anstead’s first wife, Louise Storey).
“It was great,” Ansteadtold PEOPLE. “I mean, Renée’s so personable, and so great with people, and they’ve met a few times on FaceTime, so everybody was excited to finally get together. Of course, everybody got on famously. It’s really nice.”
He went on to say that Zellweger got along particularly well with his daughter, saying they “really hit it off. Just as two girls.”
February 10, 2022: Ant Anstead promotes Renée Zellweger’s new project on Instagram
Ahead of the release of Zellweger’s limited seriesThe Thing About Pam, Ansteadshowed his girlfriend some supporton Instagram. He posted a trailer of the series and wrote in the caption, “Beaming with pride (and now sleeping with one eye open!) Ren’s latest role!”
March 17, 2022:Ant Anstead show some PDA withRenée Zellweger
Zellweger and Ansteadpacked on the PDA in another cute Instagram postcaptioned, “This lady [heart emoji] x Ren.”
The couple donned black-tie looks and shared a kiss in the GIF, which was taken at the wedding of former Formula 1 driver Jenson Button and his wife, Brittny Ward.
March 2022: Renée Zellweger talks about her relationship with Ant Anstead for the first time
In an April 2022 cover story forHarper’s Bazaar, Zellwegeropened up about her relationshipfor the first time and reflected on how she and Anstead met.
When asked about whether Ryder brought the couple together, in a way, she said, “Yeah, we do joke about that. She’s always doing her best. It made me smile. It made me smile to think on this, yeah, the serendipity of it all.”
April 25, 2022: Ant Anstead pays tribute to Renée Zellweger on her birthday
“Happy birthday to this beautiful Lady!” he wrote. “Ren you are PURE CLASS! I know how lucky I am.”
April 23, 2022: Ant Anstead posts a throwback from when he andRenée Zellwegerfirst met
In April 2022, Ansteadposted a throwback photofrom their time on set ofCelebrity IOU Joyride. “WOW! This just popped up in memories. One year ago today! Sat on the back of a fire engine on the final day of filming having handed two amazing men a car as a thank you from Ren. Amazing what can happen in just one year ……. 💫” he captioned the picture.
July 2022:Renée Zellwegerreceives a sweet gesture from Ant Anstead’s son
In July 2022, Ansteadshowed off an adorable photoof his son Hudson holding up a piece of artwork he made for Zellweger.
“He ‘made this for NayNay,’ " Anstead wrote, referring to the actress, alongside the sweet snap of Hudson proudly displaying his ice-cream artwork from summer school.
August 31, 2022: Ant Anstead shares pictures of his son wearing Renée Zellweger’s coat
Anstead and Hudson enjoyed a day at the beach as summer came to an end. The dad of three posted videos of his toddler son playing in the water, as well as some shots of the two of them walking home together. In the photos, Hudson can be seen wearing a pair of flip-flops, a cute bucket hat and an oversized black coat. Anstead explained in a sweet caption that the coatbelongs to Zellweger.
“When a stroll to the beach (in clothes) ends with a fully soaked toddler…… said toddler obviously walks home in the missus coat,“Anstead wrote. “Parent level - 3/10 😂😂🥰x.”
December 1, 2022: Ant Anstead shares photos from his “romantic Thanksgiving” with Renée Zellweger
Anstead shared aseries of nature photosfrom a trip to Sedona, Arizona. While Zellweger doesn’t appear in the post, the reality star hinted at her presence in his caption. “What a beautiful few days for a romantic thanksgiving switch off adventure! We ended up in Sedona which is a magical place I cannot recommend enough! So much to be thankful for 🥰 x,“he wrote.
When a fan responded to the post, asking if there were any pictures of him and his “romantic partner” from the trip, Anstead wrote back that they took “so many.”
December 25, 2022: Ant Anstead and Renée Zellweger spend Christmas together in the U.K.
While Zellweger was attempting to keep a low profile, fans pulled a “Where’s Waldo?” andspotted her in two of Anstead’s Instagram posts.
In a photo of Anstead’s 3-year-old son, Hudson, learning to play cricket, the actress was seen in the background wearing an orange University of Texas baseball hat. She was also spotted in a video of the family on a “woodland walk.”
January 27, 2023: Ant Anstead dances with Renée Zellweger in romantic photo
Anstead posted a rare photo of him and Zellweger on Instagram. The couple were all dressed up for a date night — and appeared to bedancing under twinkle lightsthat were strung above their heads.
“Always Pause for moments of magic under twinkly lights…❤️💫x,” Anstead captioned the sweet image.
March 1, 2023: A source says Ant Anstead and Renée Zellweger are “committed long-term”
An insider told PEOPLE that Anstead could be planning to take his relationship with Zellwegerto the next level.
“Ant is very happy with Renée. He really loves her,” the source said, adding that theCelebrity IOU: Joyridestar may propose soon, but “Ant doesn’t want to rush things.”
April 4, 2023: Ant Anstead calls Renée Zellweger “utterly brilliant” in “Two Steps” music video
Zellweger is featured on C M Talkington’s new song “Two Steps,” and Anstead called the actress"utterly brilliant” in the music videoassociated with the track.
“A beautiful and talented genius! The most gorgeous and classy lady who continues to effortlessly tackle inspiring and cool projects in your stride! The coolest human I know,” he gushed on Instagram.
April 23, 2023: Ant Anstead and Renée Zellweger celebrate two years together
In honor of their second anniversary, Anstead posted about Zellweger on Instagram.
“Two years of magic💫💫x,” he captioned several images with theJerry Maguireactress.
May 20, 2023: Renée Zellweger cheers for Ant Anstead during semi-pro soccer game
Ant Anstead hugs Renée Zellweger following a soccer win.MEGA / BACKGRID
Anstead plays semi-professional soccer for the U.S. affiliate of Southampton FC — and Zellweger is his biggest fan. During a match in Orange County, California, theJerry Maguirestar was photographed cheering from the stands and capturing all the game action on her phone.
After Anstead’s team won the championship, he reunited with Zellweger on the sidelines. The coupleexchanged a hug and kissfollowing the big victory.
July 17, 2023: Ant Anstead shares first photos of Renée Zellweger with his two eldest kids
Instagram/ant_anstead
July 18, 2023: PEOPLE confirms that Ant Anstead and Renée Zellweger are not engaged
Despite reports about a “low-key” proposal and pending nuptials, PEOPLE has confirmed that Anstead and Zellwegerare not engaged.
September 17, 2023: Ant Anstead and Renée Zellweger pack on the PDA at his soccer game
Zellweger was on the sidelines at Anstead’s season opener. She was seen paying close attention to the action and afterwards, she shared apassionate kisswith her beau.
October 30, 2024: Ant Anstead says he often forgets that Renée Zellweger is famous
Ant Anstead and Renee Zellweger.Amy Sussman/Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Amy Sussman/Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
While appearing on the U.K. talk showJeremy Vine on 5, Anstead opened up about being in a high-profile relationship.
“I mean, ultimately, it is microscopically examined, I’m sure, but I don’t really think about that,” he said of his romance with Zellweger. “She’s so incredibly normal andI often forget that she’s famous.”
January 15, 2025: Renée Zellweger makes a rare mention of Ant Anstead in BritishVogueinterview
WhenBridget Jones’s DiarycostarHugh Grantinterviewed Zellweger forBritishVogue, he admitted he didn’t remember where she lived, to which she replied, “I live in Southern California, near San Diego.”
Grant asked why she lived there, and Zellweger explained, “Because that’swhere my fellow lives, and his little boy,”
January 31, 2025: Ant Anstead supports Renée Zellweger at the London premiere ofBridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
Anstead and his two oldest children, Amelie and Archie, supported Zellweger at the London premiereBridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,ahead of the film’s February 2025 debut.
He later shared a photo from the red carpet, where he posed with his kids, onInstagram, writing, “Midweek movie nightwith the kiddos…. The Movie was absolutely utterly brilliant and the lead actress was mesmerising and smoking HOT (I have a mega crush on her!) I’ve let the missus know she’s my hall pass….. X.”
source: people.com
