Elizabeth Hurley has captivated audiences for decades, not only with her stunning beauty and impressive acting career but also with her intriguing romantic life. The British actress and model, known for her iconic Versace safety pin dress moment and her long-standing role as the face of Estée Lauder, has experienced a love life as dramatic and fascinating as any Hollywood screenplay. From her legendary thirteen-year relationship with actor Hugh Grant to her engagement with cricket superstar Shane Warne, Hurley’s romantic journey has been marked by passion, heartbreak, and resilience.
Born on June 10, 1965, in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, Elizabeth Jane Hurley has become one of the entertainment industry’s most recognizable figures. Her relationships have often made headlines, with each romance revealing different facets of this multifaceted woman. As she continues to embrace life and love at 60, her story offers insight into the complexities of maintaining personal relationships under the intense scrutiny of public attention.
The Hugh Grant Era: A Relationship That Defined the 90s
Elizabeth Hurley’s most famous relationship began in 1987 when she met Hugh Grant on the set of the Spanish production “Remando Al Viento” (known in English as “Rowing with the Wind”). At the time, Hurley was a relatively unknown actress, and Grant was still building his career. The pair played lovers Lord Byron and Claire Clairmont in the film, and their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life romance that would last thirteen years.
During the early years of their relationship, Hurley remained largely in Grant’s shadow, known primarily as the actor’s girlfriend rather than for her own accomplishments. This dynamic shifted dramatically in 1994 when Grant achieved international stardom with the massive success of “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” Hurley accompanied him to the film’s London premiere wearing a black Versace dress held together by oversized gold safety pins that instantly catapulted her into the global spotlight. The daring ensemble, which showcased Hurley’s confidence and stunning figure, became one of the most iconic fashion moments in history and is widely credited with launching her modeling and acting career to new heights.
The couple’s relationship faced its most significant challenge in 1995 when Grant was arrested for lewd conduct in a public place with a sex worker, despite still being in a committed relationship with Hurley. The scandal dominated tabloid headlines worldwide, and many expected the relationship to end immediately. However, Hurley demonstrated remarkable loyalty and grace under pressure, standing by Grant during this difficult period. She accompanied him to the premiere of his film “Nine Months” shortly after the incident, presenting a united front that surprised many observers.
Despite weathering this storm, the couple eventually announced an “amicable” split in May 2000 after thirteen years together. Their separation was handled with maturity and mutual respect, a rarity in celebrity breakups. The depth of their enduring friendship became evident when Grant was named as one of the godfathers to Hurley’s son, Damian Charles Hurley, born in April 2002. This gesture spoke volumes about the genuine affection and respect that remained between them long after their romantic relationship had ended.
Steve Bing: A Brief Romance with Lasting Consequences
Following her split from Hugh Grant, Hurley entered into a brief relationship with American businessman Steve Bing in 2001. This romance, though short-lived and described as non-exclusive by Bing himself, resulted in the birth of Hurley’s only child, Damian Charles Hurley, on April 4, 2002. The circumstances surrounding Damian’s birth became controversial when Bing initially denied paternity, claiming that their relationship had been casual and non-exclusive.
The situation required a DNA test to establish Bing’s biological fatherhood, creating an uncomfortable public dispute. Despite the contentious beginning, Hurley proved to be a devoted and protective mother, raising Damian primarily on her own while building her career and managing her business ventures. The tragedy of this relationship came full circle when Steve Bing died by suicide in June 2020, leaving behind a complicated legacy and unanswered questions about what might have been.
Arun Nayar: A Cross-Cultural Marriage
In late 2002, just months after giving birth to Damian, Elizabeth Hurley began dating Indian textile heir and businessman Arun Nayar. Their relationship developed over several years before they married in an elaborate celebration in 2007. The wedding festivities reflected both of their cultural backgrounds, with ceremonies held at Sudeley Castle in England and at a palace in India, creating a spectacular fusion of British and Indian traditions.
During her marriage to Nayar, Hurley embraced country life, residing on a sprawling 400-acre organic farm in Barnsley, Gloucestershire, where she raised her son and pursued her passion for sustainable agriculture. This period represented a more private chapter in Hurley’s life, as she focused on motherhood, her marriage, and her business ventures, including her successful swimwear line, Elizabeth Hurley Beach.
However, the marriage encountered difficulties, and in December 2010, Hurley announced that she and Nayar had separated several months earlier. She filed for divorce on April 2, 2011, citing Nayar’s “unreasonable behaviour” as the cause, which is standard grounds for divorce under English law. The divorce was finalized on June 15, 2011, ending their four-year marriage. The split marked another turning point in Hurley’s romantic life, but she would soon find herself in perhaps her most high-profile relationship yet.
Shane Warne: A Passionate Engagement
Just three months after her divorce from Arun Nayar was finalized, Elizabeth Hurley became engaged to Australian cricket legend Shane Warne in late 2011. The relationship between the glamorous British actress and the charismatic sports star captivated fans on both sides of the world. The couple had first met in 2010, and their connection was immediate and intense, leading to a whirlwind romance that seemed to promise a fairy-tale ending.
Shane Warne, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, brought his own celebrity status and public profile to the relationship. The couple’s engagement was announced with much fanfare, and they appeared deeply in love during public appearances. In 2012, demonstrating their commitment to building a life together, Hurley and Warne purchased Donnington Hall, a Grade II-listed mansion near Ledbury, Herefordshire, intending it to be their primary residence. The historic property symbolized their plans for a shared future.
The couple seemed perfectly matched in many ways, both being confident, successful individuals with strong personalities. They were frequently photographed together at high-profile events, and their social media posts suggested a happy and passionate relationship. However, beneath the surface, challenges were brewing. The pressures of maintaining a relationship under constant media scrutiny, combined with the complexities of blending their lives and families, eventually took their toll.
In December 2013, Hello magazine reported that the couple had separated, ending their engagement after approximately two years together. While the specific reasons for their split were not publicly detailed, sources suggested that the demands of their respective careers and the challenges of their long-distance relationship contributed to the breakup. Despite the end of their romance, both Hurley and Warne spoke respectfully about each other in subsequent interviews.
The story of Hurley and Warne took a tragic turn when the cricket legend died suddenly of a heart attack on March 4, 2022, at the age of 52, while on vacation in Thailand. Hurley was devastated by the news and paid heartfelt tribute to her ex-fiancé on social media, sharing photos and expressing her grief. Her emotional response demonstrated that despite their romantic relationship ending years earlier, she had maintained genuine affection and respect for Warne. The loss highlighted the profound impact he had on her life and served as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.
Other Notable Relationships and Rumored Romances
Between and after her more serious relationships, Elizabeth Hurley has been linked to various other men, some confirmed and others remaining as speculation. In 2000, around the time of her split from Hugh Grant, she was briefly connected to Theodore Forstmann, a billionaire investor and philanthropist, and actor Denis Leary, though these relationships were short-lived and not extensively documented.
From 2014 to 2016, Hurley dated Russian newspaper proprietor and businessman Evgeny Lebedev, the owner of The Independent and Evening Standard newspapers in London. Their relationship was relatively private compared to some of her other romances, though they were occasionally photographed together at social events. Following this relationship, Hurley was involved with photographer David Yarrow briefly in 2014.
From 2017 to 2018, Hurley dated Niccolo Barattieri di San Pietro, a model and actor significantly younger than herself. The relationship drew attention due to their age difference, with Hurley once again demonstrating that she refuses to be constrained by societal expectations about age-appropriate dating. The romance eventually ended in late 2018, with both parties moving on amicably.
Hurley has also been the subject of various dating rumors over the years, including speculation about a connection with actor Justin Theroux in 2019 and Pakistani politician Imran Khan in 2004, though these rumors were never confirmed by either party. The constant speculation surrounding her love life reflects her enduring status as a figure of public fascination.
Billy Ray Cyrus: A New Chapter
In April 2025, Elizabeth Hurley seemingly confirmed a new relationship when she posted a photo on social media featuring country music star Billy Ray Cyrus kissing her on the cheek while wearing bunny ears. The Easter Sunday post, captioned “Happy Easter” with a red heart emoji, sent fans into a frenzy of speculation and excitement. This relationship represents yet another unexpected chapter in Hurley’s eclectic romantic history.
Billy Ray Cyrus, best known for his hit song “Achy Breaky Heart” and as the father of pop star Miley Cyrus, brings his own celebrity legacy to the relationship. The pairing has surprised many observers, given their different backgrounds and career paths, but it also demonstrates Hurley’s openness to love and her refusal to limit herself based on others’ expectations. At 60, Hurley continues to embrace romance with the same confidence and joy that has characterized her entire life.
Lessons from Elizabeth Hurley’s Romantic Journey
Elizabeth Hurley’s relationship history offers valuable insights into love, resilience, and personal growth. Throughout her romantic life, she has demonstrated several admirable qualities that have helped her navigate the challenges of maintaining relationships in the public eye while remaining true to herself.
One of the most striking aspects of Hurley’s approach to relationships is her loyalty and grace under pressure. Her decision to stand by Hugh Grant during his scandal in 1995 showcased her ability to separate private matters from public judgment, even when doing so invited criticism. This loyalty extended beyond romantic relationships, as evidenced by her maintaining close friendships with ex-partners, including Grant serving as godfather to her son.
Hurley has also consistently refused to be defined by age or societal expectations. Whether dating younger men or embarking on new romances in her 50s and 60s, she has embraced love with confidence and authenticity. This attitude challenges ageist narratives about women’s romantic lives and demonstrates that passion and connection know no age limits.
Her ability to balance motherhood with her romantic life and career deserves recognition as well. Despite the challenges of co-parenting with an absent father and managing high-profile relationships, Hurley has prioritized her son Damian’s well-being while maintaining her successful career and personal happiness. The close relationship she shares with her son, who has followed in her footsteps into modeling and acting, speaks to her dedication as a mother.
The Impact of Public Scrutiny on Private Life
Living one’s romantic life under constant media attention presents unique challenges that Elizabeth Hurley has navigated with varying degrees of success throughout her career. Every relationship, breakup, and new romance has been dissected by tabloids and discussed by fans, creating pressure that few people outside the celebrity sphere can truly understand.
The intense scrutiny surrounding her relationships has at times overshadowed her professional accomplishments. Despite her successful modeling career with Estée Lauder, her acting roles in films like “Austin Powers” and “Bedazzled,” and her entrepreneurial ventures with Elizabeth Hurley Beach swimwear, headlines about her love life have often dominated public perception. This reality reflects broader societal tendencies to focus on women’s personal lives rather than their professional achievements.
However, Hurley has largely managed this scrutiny with dignity and humor. She has learned to control her narrative through strategic use of social media, sharing what she chooses while maintaining boundaries around her private life. This balanced approach has allowed her to remain relevant and engaged with fans while protecting the aspects of her life she wishes to keep private.
Elizabeth Hurley’s Enduring Appeal
At 60 years old, Elizabeth Hurley remains one of the entertainment industry’s most captivating figures. Her enduring appeal stems not just from her physical beauty, which she maintains through dedication to fitness and wellness, but from her confidence, wit, and refusal to conform to expectations. She has built a life that balances career success, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and romance, all while remaining authentic to herself.
Her relationship history, with its mixture of long-term commitments, brief romances, heartbreaking losses, and new beginnings, reflects the complexity of modern love. Rather than following a conventional path, Hurley has created her own narrative, one that includes both traditional elements like marriage and more unconventional choices like dating significantly younger partners or embarking on new relationships in her 60s.
The tragedies she has experienced, including the deaths of ex-partner Steve Bing and former fiancé Shane Warne, have added depth to her story, demonstrating her capacity for genuine emotion and connection. Her public tributes to both men revealed a vulnerability that contrasts with her glamorous public image, reminding fans that behind the celebrity persona is a real person who has experienced real loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long were Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant together?
A: Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant were together for thirteen years, from 1987 to 2000. Despite their romantic relationship ending, they have remained close friends, with Grant serving as godfather to Hurley’s son, Damian.
Q: Was Elizabeth Hurley married to Shane Warne?
A: No, Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne were engaged from 2011 to 2013 but never married. They separated in December 2013 after approximately two years together. Warne passed away in March 2022, and Hurley paid emotional tribute to her former fiancé.
Q: How many times has Elizabeth Hurley been married?
A: Elizabeth Hurley has been married once, to Indian businessman Arun Nayar. They married in 2007 following elaborate ceremonies in both England and India, and divorced in 2011 after four years of marriage.
Q: Who is the father of Elizabeth Hurley’s son?
A: American businessman Steve Bing is the biological father of Elizabeth Hurley’s son, Damian Charles Hurley, born in April 2002. Bing initially denied paternity, but a DNA test established him as Damian’s father. Bing died in 2020.
Q: Is Elizabeth Hurley currently in a relationship?
A: As of April 2025, Elizabeth Hurley confirmed on social media that she is dating American country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, sharing a photo of them together on Easter Sunday with an affectionate caption.
Q: What was the famous dress Elizabeth Hurley wore to the Four Weddings and a Funeral premiere?
A: Elizabeth Hurley wore a black Versace dress held together by oversized gold safety pins to the 1994 premiere of “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” The daring ensemble became one of the most iconic fashion moments in history and launched Hurley’s modeling career to international prominence.
Elizabeth Hurley’s romantic journey continues to evolve, proving that love stories don’t follow predetermined scripts and that it’s never too late to embrace new beginnings. Her willingness to remain open to love, despite experiencing heartbreak and loss, serves as an inspiration to those who believe in the transformative power of human connection. As she moves forward with Billy Ray Cyrus and whatever the future may hold, Hurley demonstrates that life’s greatest adventures often come when we least expect them, and that authentic happiness comes from living life on one’s own terms.
