Who Is Lea Michele's Husband? All About Zandy Reich (original) (raw)

Lea Michele found her Prince Charming in her husband, Zandy Reich.

The couple, who were longtime friends before they started dating, first stepped out together in 2017. The following year, Reich popped the question.

"I think the first thing I said to him was, 'Stop joking around!' So I was super surprised," the New Year's Eve actress told PEOPLE of Reich's proposal.

In March 2019, Michele and Reich tied the knot in Northern California. A year later, they welcomed their son, Ever Leo, and in August 2024, the couple announced the arrival of their daughter, Emery Sol.

So, who is Lea Michele's husband? Here's everything to know about Zandy Reich and his relationship with the Glee alum.

He's in the fashion industry

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Reich, who was previously the head of business development for the clothing brand Theory, is the president of the clothing company AYR, which stands for "All Year Round."

"They were introduced by Lea's best friend, Stephanie Levinson," a source told PEOPLE in April 2018. "Zandy is best friends with Stephanie's husband, so they all know and love each other. He's a very business-minded guy and super smart."

Added the source of AYR, "Lea's always been a big fan of the clothing company and has worn their clothes to events."

He's a Philadelphia native and played lacrosse in college

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According to E!, Reich graduated with a finance degree in 2005 from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was also the senior starting captain for the lacrosse team.

"I initially didn't want to stay so close to home, but I realized that it was nice because I could be as close or as seemingly far as I wanted; that it was up to me," he told Penn Athletics in June 2016. "I love Philly, I knew plenty of people who'd gone to Penn, and it just really proved to be the best mix between athletics and academics."

On what leadership skills he picked up, Reich said: "Not only as a captain, but also as an older guy and one who has seen significant playing time, guys look to me as a role model. I've learned how to lead by example."

"Actions speak louder than words, so they look to what I bring to the field and how I handle other situations," he continued. "But, other people do that for me, too. We have all learned how to pick each other up and keep going; how to give that boost we need. We rely on each other."

He and Michele were friends before dating and getting engaged

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Michele and Reich were first romantically linked in July 2017, when a source confirmed to PEOPLE that they were a couple.

"They've been friends for a long time, a few years," the source said. "Things turned romantic recently, and they're dating now."

In April 2018, Reich proposed while the couple was in the Hamptons. Michele announced the engagement on Instagram with a photo showing off her stunning engagement ring.

"It was a super private proposal," a friend of the actress told PEOPLE. "Their relationship has been very private, but they're so happy. It was so romantic, and she's just so excited and feels so lucky."

"He's a really nice guy," the friend added. "Lea is extremely happy."

Another friend of the actress said, "This is the happiest that Lea has ever been."

"Zandy is perfect for her. She knew it was right early on in their relationship," the friend added. "She's been through so much. Everyone close to her is just thrilled that she's found happiness."

He's off the grid

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While Michele has documented her relationship with Reich on Instagram, she's never tagged him, and he doesn't appear to be active on any public social media accounts himself.

Michele previously told PEOPLE in 2017 that Reich has helped her stay grounded.

"When I'm not working, I'm at home with my cat, with my family, with my boyfriend, with the people that I love — and that's how I reset, and that's how I center myself," she said. "It's so important to tune out the noise and the unnecessary and just focus on the people that you love because they know you better than anyone."

Michele added, "I'm very happy, and I think that you can tell. I don't really talk a lot about my personal life, but I'm also the kind of person where I always say, 'You will see how happy I am just by looking at my face.' I can't hide it."

He got Ryan Murphy's seal of approval

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In 2017, Michele revealed that Reich had earned the approval of her longtime collaborator, Glee and Scream Queens creator Ryan Murphy, who even officiated their wedding.

"Ryan is my family — he's one of the greatest friends in the world that I have," she told Giuliana Rancic at the Emmy Awards. "When my boyfriend got the seal of approval from Ryan Murphy, that was it. Yeah, my parents, yeah, friends, whatever. But Ryan Murphy, it's a done deal — it sealed the deal."

He and Michele got married in 2019

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On March 9, 2019, Michele and Reich wed in an intimate and romantic ceremony in Northern California.

"We are so excited to be married and grateful to be surrounded by our friends and family," the pair told PEOPLE. "And most of all, we're so happy to spend the rest of our lives together."

In honor of their fifth wedding anniversary in March 2024, the Scream Queens star penned a sweet post about her husband.

"Happy 5 year anniversary to the best husband and father," Michele wrote on Instagram. "I love you so much Z."

On Aug. 20, 2020, the Broadway star gave birth to her first child with Reich, a son named Ever Leo.

"Everyone's happy and healthy, and they're extremely grateful," a source told PEOPLE at the time. "He's been an easy baby so far."

Michele and Reich announced the birth of their second child, a daughter named Emery Sol, in August 2024. "Our hearts are so full," the actress wrote on Instagram alongside an image of the newborn's feet.

He and Michele bonded through difficult pregnancy

In March 2021, the Funny Girl actress opened up about her "very intense, very scary pregnancy."

Speaking on Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt's Instagram Live series Before, During, & After Baby, Michele — who was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome at 30 — shared the challenges she faced with getting pregnant due to the symptoms of PCOS, which can cause irregular cycles.

"Emotionally, it just started to build and build," Michele said of her tough motherhood journey, which forced her to be on bed rest and eventually led to her hospitalization for heavy bleeding.

“I still was uncertain if the pregnancy was going to last,” Michele recalled, adding: “It was horrible. It was the lowest I've been in my entire life.”

Despite these challenges, Ever had a safe delivery, and the “grounding” experience taught Michele and Reich to lean on each other for support.

“Having our son and experiencing the challenges that we did throughout the pregnancy was something that unfortunately created a stronger bond in us,” Michele said during an appearance on Drew Barrymore’s talk show in September 2022.