Sarah Paulson’s partner Holland Taylor has been in a loving relationship with the award-winning actress since 2015, though their approach to romance might surprise many fans. While most couples eventually move in together, Paulson revealed a different strategy for keeping their relationship fresh: “We don’t live together. That’s the secret to it.”

Quick Facts About Sarah Paulson’s Partner
– Holland Taylor
– January 14, 1943 (Age 82 in 2025)
– Together since 2015, known for their 32-year age gap

The couple’s relationship has certainly captured public attention, not only because of their unconventional living arrangement but also due to their 32-year age gap. Despite the scrutiny, this hasn’t deterred the pair, who first crossed paths at a party in 2005 before reconnecting almost a decade later through social media. Their story is particularly fascinating considering Paulson’s impressive career—she has received numerous accolades including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Tony Award, and in 2017, Time magazine even named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Meet Sarah Paulson’s Partner: Holland Taylor

Emmy Award-winning actress Holland Taylor stands firmly in the spotlight as Sarah Paulson’s partner since early 2015. Known for her sharp wit and commanding screen presence, Taylor has built an impressive career spanning over five decades in Hollywood, making her much more than just “Sarah Paulson’s significant other.”

Holland Taylor’s career and achievements

Holland Virginia Taylor was born in Philadelphia on January 14, 1943, to Virginia Davis, a painter, and C. Tracy Taylor, an attorney. After studying drama at Bennington College, she moved to New York at age 22 with dreams of becoming a “great big Broadway star”.

Her television breakthrough came with the sitcom Bosom Buddies (1980) alongside Tom Hanks. However, Taylor truly cemented her place in television history when she won the 1999 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Judge Roberta Kittleson on ABC’s The Practice. Furthermore, she received four Emmy nominations for her memorable portrayal of Evelyn Harper, the snobbish, overbearing mother on Two and a Half Men.

Notably, Taylor’s talent extends beyond television. In 2013, she wrote and starred in the one-woman Broadway play Ann, based on the life of former Texas Governor Ann Richards, which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress. Most recently in 2020, she received her eighth Primetime Emmy nomination for portraying Ellen Kincaid in the Netflix miniseries Hollywood.

How old is Sarah Paulson’s partner?

Holland Taylor turned 81 in January 2024. She celebrates her birthday on January 14, and Paulson often marks the occasion with heartfelt social media tributes. In one such post, Paulson wrote, “Love of my life. The one. The only one. January 14th is my favorite day of the year- a day to unabashedly celebrate you @hollandvtaylor I am the luckiest of the lucky. I love you only”.

Throughout her extensive career, Taylor has demonstrated remarkable longevity and versatility in the entertainment industry. Her recent projects include appearing in Bill & Ted Face the Music and Netflix’s The Chair opposite Sandra Oh.

Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor age gap

One aspect of their relationship that has drawn significant attention is their 32-year age difference. Taylor was born in 1943, making her 32 years Paulson’s senior. Taylor herself has acknowledged this gap with her characteristic humor, once joking in a 2015 radio interview: “There’s a very big age difference between us which I’m sure shocks a lot of people, and it startles me. But as they say, ‘If she dies, she dies'”.

During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, Taylor expressed some concern about their age difference: “I mean, we have a big generational difference between us, which worries me for her sake. But, you know… what can I do?”. Nevertheless, she noted that their different life experiences actually enrich their relationship: “A lot of the things that she’s going through that are very emotional and important to her right now, I went through, you know, 40 years ago, 30 years ago”.

Paulson has been equally forthright about their age gap, telling Town & Country: “I do not want to be defined by who I share my bed, my home, my soul with. My choices in life have been unconventional, and that’s my business”. She added that there’s “a poignancy to being with someone older” as “there’s a greater appreciation of time and what you have together”.

How Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor met

The love story between Sarah Paulson and her partner began long before they became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples. Their relationship journey features a decade-long gap between first meeting and finally dating—proof that timing truly is everything in matters of the heart.

Their first meeting in 2005

The first encounter between Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor happened at a dinner party in 2005. At that time, neither woman was available—Paulson was dating actress Cherry Jones, and Taylor was also in a committed relationship. Nevertheless, the initial impression was unforgettable.

Paulson later revealed to The New York Times that she remembered thinking Taylor was “probably the most exquisitely beautiful woman I’d ever seen”. This striking first impression would remain dormant for nearly a decade as both women continued their separate lives and relationships.

Reconnecting through social media

Fate intervened years later when both actresses worked together on a campaign for a reproductive rights organization. Following this professional collaboration, something rather modern occurred—they began following each other on Twitter.

In a 2019 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Paulson shared the delightful details of how their romance finally bloomed. “It’s a long story. We met a very, very long time ago. I was with someone else; she was, too,” Paulson explained. “We sort of breezed by one another, and then started following each other on Twitter, and then…”

Her fellow guest Billy Eichner then asked point-blank: “Holland Taylor slid into your DMs?” To which Paulson happily confirmed, “She actually did. Yeah, it’s pretty great”. According to Taylor herself, she reached out after seeing Paulson’s tweet and thought she seemed “blue about something,” asking “How are you? What’s happening?”. From that simple message, a relationship soon blossomed.

When Sarah and Holland’s relationship became public

In November 2015, Taylor gave an interview to radio station WNYC where she discreetly mentioned dating a younger woman without revealing Paulson’s identity. She playfully acknowledged their age difference, joking, “There’s a very big age difference between us which I’m sure shocks a lot of people, and it startles me. But as they say, ‘If she dies, she dies'”.

Shortly afterward, in December 2015, People magazine officially confirmed that Sarah Paulson’s partner was indeed Holland Taylor, reporting they had been dating for “a couple months”. Once the news broke, Paulson described the public reaction as “surreal”.

In a candid moment with The New York Times in 2016, Paulson reflected on the attention their relationship received: “My choices in romantic partners have not been conventional, and therefore the idea that it is ‘other’ makes it compelling”. Within weeks of their relationship becoming public, Paulson affectionately referred to Taylor as her “favorite actress” on Twitter after watching her perform in Ripcord in Manhattan. Subsequently, in a birthday tweet, she elevated this sentiment, calling Taylor her “favorite human”.

The unconventional path that brought these two talented actresses together—spanning a decade, reconnecting through social media, and overcoming an age gap—has ultimately created one of Hollywood’s most genuine and enduring relationships.

Inside Sarah Paulson and Holly Taylor’s relationship

Unlike many celebrity couples, Sarah Paulson’s partner Holland Taylor doesn’t share a roof with the award-winning actress. Surprisingly, this unconventional arrangement forms the cornerstone of their enduring relationship.

Living separately by choice

The secret to their long-lasting romance? “We don’t live together. That’s the secret to it,” Paulson revealed on the Smartless podcast. “We spend plenty of time together, but we don’t live in the same house”. This deliberate choice allows them to be “together when we want to be and we’re not when we don’t”.

This arrangement works especially well considering Holland’s relationship history. As Paulson explained, “Holland, before me, hasn’t been in a ton of long-term relationships, whereas Holland is my third”. For Taylor, who hadn’t previously cohabitated with partners for extended periods, Paulson recognized that “it was a lot to sort of have me and all my me-ness in her space”.

Interestingly, despite maintaining separate residences, they prioritize physical closeness when together. “We fall asleep holding hands. I like to sleep near her,” Paulson shared affectionately.

Mutual respect and independence

At the heart of their relationship is a profound appreciation for each other’s different social needs. “I think we each follow our own path so we’re not exactly the same,” Taylor explained. Their relationship thrives specifically because they honor these differences.

“She’s much more social, and I like a little bit of alone time, so I have that. She spends some time with friends and not with me, so it’s a good balance,” Taylor revealed. This mutual understanding creates space for both partners to flourish individually.

The pandemic unexpectedly strengthened their connection through contrast. Prior to COVID-19, both actresses were constantly traveling for work with “a bag halfway packed in the foyer”. Yet even with increased time together, Paulson joked about their reunions during lockdown: “All of a sudden, we were like, ‘Hey! You’re here! What are you doing here? Get outta here!’ It’s been good”.

Supporting each other’s careers

Their relationship is further fortified by unwavering professional support. On The View, Paulson expressed profound gratitude: “I am thrilled and I feel very lucky to be with a person who is smarter, wiser, wittier than I, and that just makes my life better in every possible way”.

Beyond admiration, Paulson values how Taylor makes her “feel seen, which I think is the most important gift you can give to any person”. This emotional security creates a foundation for both women to excel professionally.

Throughout their relationship, they’ve celebrated each other’s accomplishments publicly. When Taylor received an Emmy nomination for her role in Hollywood, Paulson shared her pride on Instagram, writing Taylor was “the best of the best, in every and all ways”. Similarly, Taylor was “overjoyed” when Paulson won her Tony Award.

Their relationship demonstrates that sometimes, keeping some independence is precisely what brings two people closer together.

Public reactions to Sarah Paulson Partner

In the harsh spotlight of Hollywood, Sarah Paulson’s partner Holland Taylor and their relationship have faced intense public scrutiny, primarily focused on one aspect: their 32-year age difference. The fascination with their May-December romance has generated headlines since their relationship became public in 2015.

Reactions Sarah and Holland age difference

Initially, when news broke about their relationship, media outlets fixated on the fact that Paulson was 40 and Taylor was 72. Paulson noticed a troubling double standard regarding this focus. “I don’t remember people going nuts about Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, in terms of their age difference,” she pointed out in an interview with The Guardian. She observed that while significant age gaps “run rampant” in heterosexual celebrity relationships, they rarely generate the same obsession.

Holland Taylor acknowledged being “blindsided” by the public attention. “I’m from an older generation and for me it’s quite surprising how people talk about personal things of any kind in the press. It’s not natural to me,” she explained to InStyle.

Sarah Paulson’s response to criticism

Regarding negative comments, Paulson maintains a fierce protective stance. “Anybody says anything about any person I love in a way that is disrespectful or cruel and I want to cut a bitch,” she stated bluntly in a Harper’s Bazaar interview.

Additionally, when asked about criticism in a Modern Luxury interview, she responded with characteristic directness: “If someone wants to spend any time thinking I’m strange for loving the most spectacular person on the planet, then that’s their problem”.

How the couple handles public scrutiny

Interestingly, even as they navigate public judgment, both actresses see value in their visibility. Paulson hopes their relationship might help others feel empowered: “I didn’t choose to fall in love with the person I fell in love with. But I think why it’s interesting to people is that on paper, it’s unconventional”.

Furthermore, she told Town & Country: “Our relationship represents a certain amount of hope and risk. Maybe there’s something brave in it. Maybe it encourages others to make brave choices”.

Regardless of outside opinions, the couple focuses on what matters. As Paulson succinctly put it: “What else can I say? We love each other”. This sentiment undoubtedly remains the foundation that helps them withstand the continuing public fascination with their love story.

Sarah Paulson’s past relationships and views on love

Before finding lasting love with Sarah Paulson’s partner Holland Taylor, the actress navigated a diverse relationship history that shaped her views on love and identity.

Relationship with Cherry Jones

Long before her current relationship made headlines, Paulson dated acclaimed actress Cherry Jones for nearly seven years. Their relationship lasted from 2004 to 2009, with both women openly attending industry events together. Interestingly, this relationship overlapped with when Paulson first met Taylor at a dinner party in 2005. Although Paulson was 31 and Jones was 52 during their relationship, their 21-year age gap generated significantly less media attention than her current partnership.

Engagement to Tracy Letts

Even as many assume Paulson has exclusively dated women, her romantic history includes men as well. In fact, Paulson was once engaged to playwright Tracy Letts. Although details about their engagement remain private, this relationship demonstrates Paulson’s fluid approach to love—connecting with individuals based on personal connection rather than gender.

Is Sarah Paulson gay?

Regarding sexuality labels, Paulson maintains a refreshingly open perspective. “I don’t let having been with a man make me think I am heterosexual, or make me want to call myself that, because I know I have been attracted to women—and have lived with women,” she once explained. Meanwhile, she acknowledges some might call this “bisexuality,” yet feels reluctant toward any definitive categorization. Ultimately, Paulson prefers focusing on the individual connection: “I’m simply a person in love with another incredible person named Holland Taylor.”

Love is blind at all ages

Sarah Paulson’s partner Holland Taylor proves that love thrives outside conventional boundaries. Their relationship stands as a testament to the fact that authentic connections transcend age differences, living arrangements, and public scrutiny. The couple has managed to build something beautiful despite the 32-year age gap that initially shocked many observers.

What makes their bond particularly special? Actually, their separate living spaces create a refreshing dynamic where each woman maintains her independence while still nurturing their connection. This arrangement allows both Taylor and Paulson to honor their different social needs – Taylor enjoys her alone time while Paulson embraces her more social nature. The result? A relationship that breathes rather than suffocates.

Public fascination with their relationship certainly hasn’t diminished over the years. Nevertheless, both actresses remain focused on what truly matters – their deep appreciation and love for each other. Their relationship demonstrates that following your heart sometimes means defying expectations.

Furthermore, their journey from briefly meeting in 2005 to reconnecting through social media years later shows how timing plays a crucial role in relationships. Sometimes, two people need to live separate lives before finding their way back to each other under the right circumstances.

Above all, Paulson and Taylor’s relationship represents hope. Their willingness to embrace love regardless of conventional standards paves the way for others to make brave choices in their own relationships. The couple teaches us that at the end of the day, love isn’t about meeting society’s expectations – it’s about finding someone who makes you feel truly seen, whether they’re 32 years older or live in a different house.

Sarah Paulson Partner Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sarah Paulson wife?

Sarah Paulson does not have a legal wife, but she has often been referred to in the media in connection with her longtime partner, Holland Taylor. Many fans casually use the phrase Sarah Paulson wife to describe their committed partnership. While they are not officially married, their bond has been compared to a marriage in terms of depth and longevity.

What is the age gap between Sarah and Holland?

The sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor age gap is approximately 32 years. Sarah was born in 1974, while Holland was born in 1943. Despite the difference, both have spoken about how their connection transcends age and is rooted in admiration and respect.

Who is Sarah Paulson in a relationship with?

Sarah Paulson is in a romantic partnership with actress Holland Taylor. Their connection has been highly visible and admired in the entertainment world. This Sarah Paulson relationship showcases their deep support for each other’s careers and personal growth.

Is Sarah Paulson currently in a relationship?

Yes, Sarah Paulson is currently in a relationship with Holland Taylor. They began dating in the mid-2010s and continue to remain a couple today. Their bond is considered one of Hollywood’s most genuine and enduring examples of love and commitment.

Is Sarah Paulson still with Holland?

Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor are still happily together. Despite being in the public eye, they have managed to maintain a stable and affectionate partnership. Their ongoing connection shows the strength of Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor as a couple.

Why doesn’t Sarah Paulson live with Holland Taylor?

Sarah Paulson has explained in interviews that while she and Holland deeply love each other, they do not live together full-time. Their decision is based on balancing independence with intimacy, allowing each to maintain personal space while nurturing their bond. This arrangement demonstrates how they navigate their relationship in a way that suits them both.

How long have Holland and Sarah been together?

Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor have been together since around 2015, making their relationship nearly a decade long. Over the years, they’ve been open about their admiration and affection for one another. Their lasting partnership has made them an inspiring example of enduring love in Hollywood, often celebrated as a model Sarah Paulson partner connection.