Real-Life Love
Are ‘Big Brother’s Julie Chen & Les Moonves Still Together? Inside Their Relationship Today
At this point, Julie Chen Moonves is synonymous with Big Brother, having hosted the iconic reality TV show since Day 1.
Season 27 of Big Brother, which premieres on July 10, marks the show’s historic 25th year on air. While Big Brother isn’t as romance-centric as other summer reality TV shows like Love Island and Bachelor in Paradise, viewers know that the Big Brother house is the perfect pressure cooker for a classic showmance, so we couldn’t help but get in on the action.
Encouraging viewers to “love one another” at the end of every episode, Julie Chen Moonves is no stranger to leading a public love life with her longtime husband, former CBS exec Les Moonves. That’s why we’ve decided to take a deep dive into the love life of Big Brother‘s very own Chenbot now that Season 27 is here.
Before new summer showmances begin, scroll for an in-depth update (and history lesson) on the Big Brother host’s love life.
Are Julie Chen Moonves & Les Moonves still together?
Yes, Julie Chen Moonves and Leslie “Les” Moonves are still together, which may be surprising for some viewers. The former The Talk cohost and her media mogul husband’s relationship came under fire back in September 2018 when Les stepped down from his position as CEO of CBS following allegations of sexual misconduct. Julie decided to stand by her husband.
“I have known my husband, Leslie Moonves, since the late ’90s, and I have been married to him for almost 14 years. Leslie is a good man and a loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader,” she tweeted at the time. “He has always been a kind, decent and moral human being. I fully support my husband and stand behind him and his statement.”
— Julie Chen Moonves (@JCMoonves) July 27, 2018
When did Julie Chen Moonves & Les Moonves get married?
Julie Chen Moonves and Les Moonves got married on December 23, 2004, back when she was 34 and he was 55. According to a 2004 article on Reality TV World, there were only 30 people at their wedding, which took place at a private home in Acapulco, Mexico. In a 2016 Father’s Day post, Julie shared a rare photo from the intimate ceremony.
Twenty years after getting married, Julie shared her tips for a successful partnership. “When you know you’re right, don’t dig in,” she told Page Six. :It’s better just to have a forgiving heart and think, ‘I’m gonna take a deep breath.'” She made sure to add, “Never yell,” and followed up with, “Oh, here’s the best thing. If you’re having a disagreement … here’s what you say to your spouse: ‘Because it makes me happy.'”
Do Julie Chen Moonves & Les Moonves have kids?
Yes, Julie and Les share one child, Charlie Moonves, who was born on September 29, 2009. In a recent interview, Julie shared that while she does not currently have any plans to retire from Big Brother, she hopes her son will take over as host when she does. “I would love for my son to take over the show so there’s still a Chenbot part of it. You know, pass it on to the heir apparent,” she told People.
Julie Chen Moonves / Instagram
Les also has three children from his previous marriage with Nancy Wiesenfeld, including Sara Moonves, the editor-in-chief of W Magazine.
When did Julie Chen Moonves change her name to Moonves?
Julie officially started signing off from Big Brother as Julie Chen Moonves (previously Julie Chen) in 2018, right after the allegations came to light against her husband.
“I made the change on the fly on a live show in the spur of the moment,” Julie told Deadline in 2022. “I didn’t tell anybody. I was like toying with it, and I remember my heart racing while I thought, ‘Am I gonna do it?’ It just became a moment.”
She added, “When I married my husband, I chose not to take the name because I thought it could be seen as an unfair advantage. It was a powerful, popular name to have. And I had made my own career prior to knowing him. So I wanted to keep that. And then when his name was getting dragged through the mud, I thought this is the time to make my stand and to let the world know who I am. And it was a sign of support for my husband. I know him. And he is a good man.”
Big Brother, Season 27, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 8/7c, CBS.
