Amber Portwood is happily betrothed to her sweetheart, Gary, as revealed by Us Weekly. According to an insider, the proposal occurred “within the last two weeks,” and Portwood’s engagement ring holds special significance, crafted from “a family stone reset into a new ring.”
The couple has been diligently laying the groundwork for a strong union, actively engaging in couple’s therapy to foster open communication and proactively address any potential issues. Their commitment to building a solid foundation is a testament to their dedication to their relationship.
Portwood, a Teen Mom star, first entered the public eye in 2009 through 16 and Pregnant. She subsequently joined the Teen Mom and Teen Mom OG casts, sharing her life journey with audiences until 2021. She returned to the franchise for Teen Mom: Family Reunion in 2022 and Teen Mom: The Next Chapter in 2023.
Portwood has experienced both triumphs and challenges in her personal life. She is a proud mother to daughter Leah, born in November 2008, from her relationship with Gary Shirley, which lasted from 2008 to 2011. However, a difficult period followed, resulting in Portwood’s arrest in 2010 and Shirley gaining full custody of their daughter.
In more recent years, Portwood has faced further custody-related struggles with her ex, Andrew Glennon, over their son James, born in May 2018. The couple parted ways in 2019, and Glennon was granted full custody in 2022, with James now residing in California. Despite these difficulties, Portwood strives to navigate the situation as best she can and has worked diligently on self-improvement.
The reality star has also experienced previous engagements, including one with Shirley and another with ex Matt Baier from 2015 to 2017, but she has not walked down the aisle before. Now, with her new fiancé, Gary, she has found love again and is taking a more private approach to dating, as he had never watched Teen Mom before they met, allowing their connection to develop organically.
Portwood’s new partner, Gary, is described as a late-thirty-something without children of his own but with a strong family orientation, as he cares for his parents. Their relationship marks a fresh start for Portwood, as all her previous partners were fans of the show, whereas Gary brings a new dynamic to their romance by approaching it without preconceived notions.
As Portwood embarks on this new chapter, she leaves behind a trail of resilience and determination. Having faced public struggles with substance abuse and mental health, she has worked hard to better herself and foster healthier relationships with her children. Now, with a new engagement and a proactive approach to couple’s therapy, she looks forward to a brighter future.
