Olivia Nuzzi, a political reporter embroiled in controversy, is preparing to release a memoir revealing her “sexting” relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This came after her ex-fiancé, Ryan Lizza, accused her of having an affair with former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford during their relationship in 2020.
Lizza made these allegations in a newsletter, claiming his then-girlfriend left behind evidence—a secret love letter written on hotel stationery—indicating she was indeed involved with Sanford while he was campaigning for president. The letter’s title was “Part 1: How We Found It.”
Nuzzi broke off her engagement to Lizza after her involvement with Kennedy was made public. Lizza recounted how he stumbled upon the letter when returning from a reporting trip, which left him in shock.
In a note dated March 5, 2020, Lizza described a line suggesting a deep longing, “If I drank every drop of water from the tower above your house, I would still be thirsty for you,” adding that their home didn’t even have a water tower.
A separate note confirmed Nuzzi’s relationship with someone named “Mark,” aligning with her earlier profile of Sanford.
By early 2020, they had committed to co-authoring a book on the presidential election, and she was spending significant time in South Carolina. However, Lizza believed this was for journalistic reasons.
Instead, he claims Nuzzi was secretly pursuing Sanford, sending him explicit content while telling Lizza she was occupied with family issues.
With their relationship deteriorating, Lizza noted that Nuzzi would often stop responding to his messages, particularly after dark. He expressed disbelief that she could write about a presidential campaign while involved with a candidate.
A few days later, Lizza recounted a phone call where he had to inform her agent about the situation, saying, “We have a big problem.” Lizza mentioned how Nuzzi became preoccupied with Sanford, remarking that her obsession grew as she followed him, illustrating the complexity of her situation.
He also indicated that this wasn’t her first controversy, mentioning her past involvement with former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann.
After their split, Nuzzi reportedly moved out and found support from a much older anchor, who provided her with material comforts and, as Lizza noted, tuition for Fordham University.
Ultimately, Nuzzi’s affair with Kennedy not only ended her engagement but also propelled her career in a new direction—she left New York Magazine and later reemerged with a memoir and a position at Vanity Fair.
This entire scandal also strained Lizza’s relationship with her, leading to claims of defamation and accusations that were eventually withdrawn.
Sanford’s political adventures have also been marked by personal turmoil, including a tumultuous custody battle and persistent conflicts with his ex-wife, which all contributed to his complicated legacy.
The Post attempted to reach out for comments from Nuzzi, Sanford, and Olbermann.
