Does Tim Gunn Have a Partner? The 'Project Runway' Star Once Confessed He Hadn't Had Sex in 29 Years

Popular fashion industry personality Tim Gunn has had a very successful career on television. He has been one of the prominent faces on shows such as "Project Runway" and "Making the Cut." However, there has not been much activity in his romantic life.

Gunn had a troubled teenage life as he battled with his sexuality and got picked on quite a lot at school. Those sad circumstances contributed to him regularly changing schools. A rough split from his partner and the advent of the AIDS pandemic made him sexually inactive for a long time.

Nevertheless, his success in the fashion and television worlds has kept him busy enough to be comfortable with that scenario. He is also grateful for Heidi Klum, with whom he has been friends for nearly two decades. The pair took the fashion world by storm with their collaborations.

Tim Gunn Struggled with His Sexuality as a Teenager

Before the arrival of the 21st century, many people who saw themselves as non-heterosexual may have experienced many problems with coming to terms with their sexuality. This was the case with Gunn, who noted that:

"A large part of what I was struggling with as a teen was my sexuality. I didn't know who I was, but I certainly knew what I wasn't. And I knew I wasn't a heterosexual male. The whole idea of being gay absolutely terrified me."

His struggles also extended to bullying at school, which led to a series of changes in schools for the young Gunn. Eventually, the pressure tolled, and it led him to attempt suicide at the age of 17. Thankfully, he survived and has grown into a beacon of light and hope for many in the LGBTQ community and fashion industries.

Tim Gunn Once Confessed He Hadn't Had Sex for Almost Three Decades after an 'Intense' Relationship

In 2012, the fashion guru opened up about his private life on ABC's "The Revolution." During the daytime talk show, he revealed that he had not had any action between the sheets since the early 1980s. Although the time seemed long, he seemed okay with it. He said:

"I haven't had sex in 29 years. Do I feel like less of a person for it? No. No even remotely."

There are several reasons why that was so, factors that Gunn referred to as very personal. The first was an "intense" heartbreak that he suffered around that time that led him to practice abstinence. He said his partner had been impatient with his sexual performance and ended their relationship.

Furthermore, his celibacy was influenced by the AIDS pandemic, which was said to be ravaging the gay community at the time. He noted that many people had also taken a similar step of re-evaluating their sex lives amidst those early days of the epidemic.

Heidi Klum Calls Her Friendship with Tim Gunn Her "Longest Marriage"

One of Tim Gunn's most loyal and trusted friends in the fashion world has been his longtime collaborator, Heidi Klum. The two first came together during their days on "Project Runway," which debuted in 2004. Speaking about their longtime friendship on "TODAY with Hoda & Jenna," she explained:

"You know, I always say that Tim and I, you know, this is the longest marriage I've ever been in, and I'm still happy."

Quizzed on why their friendship had worked well for so long, the supermodel comically responded that it was because she could not understand much of what he said due to his use of complex vocabulary. Not to be outdone, Gunn recalled his days teaching at Parsons School of Design as the reason for his sharp word skills.

Gunn also recalled the first time the two met in a special letter of gratitude to his partner in crime. He noted that it was a surreal moment for him, adding that he had been nervous about the beginning of "Project Runway," but his future friend, Klum, reassured him they would have a great time.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.