Because he achieved all of his success without ever marrying, his private life became a political target. In 2014, a primary challenger openly labeled the rising politician as “ambiguously gay.”
The rumors resurfaced in 2018 when comedian Chelsea Handler posted a series of crude tweets aiming to out him. She questioned his motives for supporting Brett Kavanaugh and openly asked what kind of videotape people held over him.
Handler refused to delete the remarks despite facing intense public backlash for using homophobia as an attack. Graham chose to address the internet drama directly during a casual airport interview with TMZ.
He calmly stated that he was not gay, while maintaining that it was a free country and Handler had the right to speak. He shrugged off the comments with his signature measured composure.
The reality of his love life was far different than the internet rumors suggested. In his candid autobiography, Graham revealed that he had two major romances during his twenties in Europe.
Graham noted in his memoir that he simply never found time to meet the right girl, or the right girl was smart enough not to have time for him. Although he acknowledged having serious relationships earlier in life, his demanding military and political careers ultimately took precedence. | Source: Getty Images
He first dated a fellow military lawyer named Carol while stationed abroad. They had a wonderful time together, though she later married and joined Colin Powell’s staff after their tours ended.
His most serious relationship was with a beautiful Lufthansa flight attendant named Sylvia. The romance moved incredibly fast, and he intensely considered proposing marriage to her.
However, Sylvia had to return to Vienna due to pressing family considerations. Graham was a South Carolina boy who felt a strong pull to return home, ending their romance before a ring could be bought.
He later attributed his bachelorhood to poor timing throughout his political career. He noted that the right opportunity simply never presented itself at the exact right moment for him to settle down.
