Reality television personality Amber Portwood has publicly confirmed she is in a new relationship, sharing details about her partner during a recent social media broadcast. This personal update arrives as her longstanding and difficult estrangement from her teenage daughter, Leah, continues to be a central focus in her life.
During the live stream, Portwood revealed she has been dating her new boyfriend for over a month, describing the development positively. She highlighted his long-term employment and character, noting he is “super sweet” to her. This new chapter follows a history of turbulent and highly publicized relationships for the star, which have previously involved legal issues and domestic disturbances.
The confirmation of a new romance stands in stark contrast to the ongoing familial conflict. Portwood’s relationship with her daughter Leah, whom she shares with ex-partner Gary Shirley, remains fractured. Portwood has recently made serious allegations against Leah’s father and his wife, Kristina Shirley, accusing them of alienating Leah from her since childhood—a claim they have not publicly addressed.
The depth of the mother-daughter rift was laid bare during the latest season of their shared reality series. In emotional segments, Leah, now a teenager, expressed feeling emotionally exhausted by the inconsistency of their relationship. She described her mother’s intermittent efforts at connection as feeling insincere, particularly when they occurred in front of cameras, stating it was difficult to accept affection from someone she perceived as largely absent from her daily life.
The situation escalated further when Leah reportedly sent a decisive text message to her mother, taking full ownership of the distance between them. In the message, she asserted that her choice to limit their relationship was her own, made without external influence.
Currently, Portwood asserts she maintains legal custody rights but alleges that access to her daughter is being obstructed. She has hinted at possessing extensive documentation spanning years to support her position, suggesting a potential legal confrontation that she claims the other party wishes to avoid.
The developments present a portrait of a public figure navigating new personal happiness while simultaneously grappling with one of life’s most profound and painful estrangements.
