Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson: Why Live Apart, No Marriage

Most Hollywood couples either marry, cohabitate, or eventually break up. Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson have done none of the above in nearly a decade — and they say that’s exactly why their relationship works.

Born: January 14, 1943 · Age: 82 (as of 2025) · Partner: Sarah Paulson · Years together: Since 2015 · Children: None · Emmy Awards: 1 win, 7 nominations

Seven key facts, one pattern: Holland Taylor is a private person who has built a career and a relationship on her own terms.

Here is a look at the confirmed details of her life and partnership.

How did Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor fall in love?

How did they meet?

The pair first crossed paths at a dinner party in 2005, but it wasn’t until years later that a spark caught. According to People (celebrity news magazine), they reconnected through social media in 2015, and a romance began. Taylor was 72; Paulson was 41. The 32-year age gap, rather than being a hurdle, became a footnote in a story of genuine connection.

What was their first impression?

Paulson has said she was immediately drawn to Taylor’s intelligence and humor. Today (morning news program) reported that the actress described their bond as “instant.” Taylor, in turn, has acknowledged the generational difference—but jokingly told The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news outlet) that she worries about Paulson’s sake, not her own.

Why don’t Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson live together?

Reasons for separate residences

Paulson laid it out plainly in a 2024 interview with The Cut (New York magazine’s lifestyle section): “We don’t live together. It’s the secret.” She explained that maintaining separate homes in New York City and Los Angeles allows them to choose when to be together and when to have space. USA Today (national newspaper) echoed the sentiment, calling it a deliberate arrangement rather than a sign of trouble.

Work and independence

Both actresses have demanding schedules. Taylor, who rose to fame on Two and a Half Men and The Practice, values her routine. Paulson, an Emmy-nominated star of American Horror Story, has said the arrangement keeps the relationship fresh. The Independent (British news outlet) reported that despite living apart, they still share a bed often and fall asleep holding hands.

Does Holland Taylor have any children?

Holland Taylor’s children

Taylor has never had children. She has no biological children and has not adopted. In interviews, she has not expressed regret about the decision, focusing instead on her career and her relationship with Paulson.

Sarah Paulson’s children

Paulson also has no children. The couple has not indicated any plans to have children, and neither has publicly discussed fertility or adoption.

Did Holland Taylor ever date men?

Yes. Before her relationship with Paulson, Taylor was in relationships with men. She has not publicly named previous partners, but her romantic history includes men. Her coming out was not a dramatic announcement—she simply began appearing publicly with Paulson in 2015, and the relationship was reported by People (celebrity news magazine).

Why won’t Holland Taylor marry Sarah Paulson?

Holland Taylor’s views on marriage

Taylor has never been married and has said she does not feel the need to marry. In an interview with The Advocate (LGBTQ+ news outlet), she stated flatly: “I don’t think marriage is going to happen.” She views marriage as an unnecessary institution for a committed relationship—a stance she has held for decades.

Sarah Paulson’s perspective

Paulson supports Taylor’s position. Today (morning news program) reported that Paulson has never pushed for marriage and is content with their arrangement. The couple’s commitment is not defined by a legal document but by mutual respect and choice.

How old was Sarah Paulson when she got together with Holland Taylor?

Age difference between Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson was born in 1974, making her 41 when she and Taylor began dating. Taylor, born in 1943, was 72 at the time—a 32-year gap. ABC News (network news division) reported the age difference in 2018, and Paulson dismissed any criticism, saying it “means nothing” to her.

How long have they been together?

As of 2025, the couple has been together for ten years. Their relationship became public in December 2015, according to People (celebrity news magazine).

When did they go public?

They were first photographed together publicly in late 2015. Since then, they have attended red-carpet events and given interviews, but they maintain a relatively private life.

Relationship timeline

• 2005: Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson meet at a dinner party.
• 2015: They reconnect via social media and begin dating. Relationship goes public in December.
• 2018: Paulson defends the age gap in a Good Morning America (ABC News morning show) interview.
• 2024: Paulson reveals in The Cut (New York magazine) that they live apart, calling it “the secret” to their relationship.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson have been in a relationship since 2015.
• They maintain separate residences in New York City and Los Angeles.
• They have no plans to marry.
• Neither Taylor nor Paulson has children.
• Taylor was born on January 14, 1943, and is 82 as of 2025.
• She won an Emmy Award in 1999 for The Practice.

What’s unclear

• The exact date of their first meeting beyond the year 2005.
• Whether they will ever choose to live together in the future.

In their own words

“We don’t live together. It’s the secret. We are together when we want to be together and not when we don’t.”

Sarah Paulson, in an interview with The Cut

“I don’t think marriage is going to happen. I don’t feel the need.”

Holland Taylor, speaking to The Advocate

The implication: For a couple that defies convention, their own words matter most. They have built a relationship that works for them, not for the public gaze.

What this means for unconventional relationships

Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson’s arrangement is a case study in how modern couples can design relationships that fit their lives. Living apart, skipping marriage, and dismissing age-gap criticism are not signs of a weak bond—they are choices made by two people who value autonomy and mutual respect. Oprah Daily (lifestyle magazine) noted that their relationship has sparked conversation about age-gap partnerships in Hollywood, and the couple has handled the scrutiny with grace.

For anyone questioning whether a relationship can thrive without cohabitation or a ring, the answer is clear: it can, as long as both partners are honest about what they want. The trade-off is that society may not always understand, but Taylor and Paulson have shown that understanding is not required—only respect.

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