Who is Rudy Giuliani’s ‘alleged girlfriend’ Maria Ryan? Donald Trump’s ex lawyer is so close to the former nurse that he paid off her credit cards bills – but he denies they’re an item
The former mayor of New York has denied having a romantic relationship with former nurse and businesswoman Maria Ryan, despite her being described as his partner in a bankruptcy lawsuit
Former New York City mayor and Donald Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and streaming-site host Maria Ryan say they are business associates and close friends. They attend official events together – including at the White House – and spend holidays together. But the pair have consistently denied any romantic links – with Giuliani calling Ryan his “friend” since 2019.
But after Giuliani, 80, declared bankruptcy in 2023, doubt was cast on these denials when her name appeared repeatedly in evidence – and their relationship was put under the microscope. What’s more, during a sexual-harassment suit brought by a former colleague against Giuliani, other evidence emerged, including secret recordings of him talking about Ryan, 58 and his connection with her.
So who is Maria Ryan, the woman described in court documents as Giuliani’s “alleged girlfriend”?
Giuliani’s bankruptcy case
In 2023, Giuliani declared bankruptcy after he was ordered to pay US$148 million to two Georgia election workers who filed a defamation suit against him. Giuliani claimed Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss had committed election fraud while counting ballots during the 2020 US presidential election.
Donald Trump and other Republicans have continued to spread the lie that the 2020 election was rigged. According to NH Business Review, Ryan also supported the idea that the election was stolen from Trump, sending Giuliani numerous messages and videos of so-called election fraud.
When the bankruptcy case against Giuliani was being investigated, Ryan’s name was mentioned several times. In a hearing last June, documents showed Giuliani had paid off her credit card bills.
Ryan said the payments were a reimbursement, claiming that she often dipped into her own money to pay for Giuliani’s grocery bills and medical expenses.