You’ve seen her on CNN, read her columns in USA Today, or maybe you’ve followed her journey from a fierce political pundit to a more soulful author. Kirsten Powers has been a staple in American media for years. But lately, people aren’t just asking about her latest political take or her thoughts on the "grace gap." They want to know the personal stuff. Specifically, who is Kirsten Powers married to now?
The short answer is Robert Draper.
But the story isn't just a simple "I do" and a wedding date. It’s actually a pretty interesting pivot from the high-stress world of Washington D.C. to a much slower pace of life in Europe. Honestly, their relationship is a bit of a power-journalism crossover that most people didn’t see coming when they first met.
Meeting Robert Draper: A Match Made in Media
If you don’t know the name Robert Draper, you definitely know his work. He’s a heavyweight. A writer for The New York Times Magazine and a correspondent for GQ, Draper is the guy who writes the definitive profiles on presidents and the inner workings of Congress.
They announced their engagement back in November 2016. It was a big deal in the D.C. bubble. Two major media personalities finding love? It’s basically the plot of a news-room rom-com. For a long time, though, they were just "engaged." You know how it is—life gets in the way. Careers happen. Global pandemics happen.
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But things finally became official. Kirsten Powers is married to Robert Draper, and they’ve spent the last few years completely reinventing what their daily lives look like.
The Big Move to Italy
Here is where things get really "lifestyle goals" for most people. Kirsten and Robert didn't just stay in a D.C. townhouse arguing about policy over dinner. They decided to leave.
They bought land near Lecce, Italy—right in the "heel" of the boot in the Puglia region. It wasn't just a vacation home. It was a relocation.
If you follow Kirsten on social media or read her more recent writings, you’ll see her talking about the dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing). It’s a massive departure from the 24/7 news cycle. They live there with their dog, Lucy (a rescue Shih Tzu who has basically become a celebrity in her own right among Kirsten’s fans).
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- The Wedding: They officially tied the knot in September 2022.
- The Honeymoon: They registered for a trip to Portugal, specifically exploring Lisbon and the Algarve.
- The Lifestyle: They’ve swapped the Beltway for olive groves and Italian architecture.
Why people get confused about her status
Sometimes, if you Google "who is Kirsten Powers married to now," you might see some old names pop up. Kirsten was married once before to Marty Makary, a well-known surgeon and professor at Johns Hopkins. They married in 2008 and divorced in 2013.
Because the internet is a graveyard of old news, those search results still linger. But that’s ancient history in the fast-moving world of media.
Then there’s the "other" Kirsten Powers. It’s a common name. You might see news about a "Kristen Powers" (spelled slightly differently) who is a TV reporter in Pittsburgh married to a doctor. If you're looking for the CNN analyst and author of Saving Grace, that’s not her.
What is she doing now?
Kirsten hasn't retired. Far from it. She still writes, still appears on news programs, and still contributes to major publications. But she does it from her base in Italy.
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Her recent work focuses heavily on "anti-racism" and "grace." She’s moved toward a more spiritual and contemplative way of viewing the world, which seems to align perfectly with her life in Puglia. Robert, too, continues to produce high-level journalism, though he presumably enjoys a much better view while he’s typing away.
Key facts about their relationship:
- They were engaged for nearly six years before finally getting married in 2022.
- They share a deep love for travel, hence the Portuguese honeymoon and the move to Italy.
- Both are highly respected authors—Robert for his political non-fiction and Kirsten for her books on faith and social issues.
Actionable Takeaway
If you're following Kirsten Powers for her career advice or her personal journey, there’s a lesson in her marriage and move. She’s shown that it’s possible to reach the top of a high-pressure industry and then choose a different, quieter path without "losing" your career.
If you're looking for more updates on her life in Italy or her latest political analysis, checking her official Substack or her Instagram is your best bet. She's very transparent about the realities of living abroad—the good, the bad, and the confusing Italian paperwork.
Checking her latest book, Saving Grace: Speak Your Truth, Stay Your Centered, and Learn to Coexist with People Who Drive You Nuts, is also a great way to understand the philosophy that led her and Robert to their new life together.