After her divorce from Jim Toth in 2023, actress Reese Witherspoon found a new relationship with German financier Oliver Haarmann. The couple’s romance gained public attention in 2024 and was confirmed following their intimate moments on a yacht in Saint-Tropez in 2025, highlighting their growing connection.
Background on Reese Witherspoon’s New Relationship
Reese Witherspoon and Oliver Haarmann first sparked dating rumors in July 2024 when they were seen together in New York City. By September, Us Weekly verified that Haarmann, a minority co-owner of the NHL’s New York Islanders, and Witherspoon were officially involved. Their relationship was further cemented by a public display of affection captured by TMZ in July 2025 during their holiday on a yacht in Saint-Tropez.
Reese ended her 11-year marriage with Jim Toth in March 2023. The couple announced their separation with a statement expressing mutual respect and love despite the divorce. The two share a son named Tennessee, while Witherspoon also has two children, Ava and Deacon, with her former husband Ryan Phillippe.
Oliver Haarmann’s Professional Background and Education
Oliver Haarmann is a financier of German descent with an impressive academic background, holding a BA from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He was a partner at global investment firm KKR from 1999 to 2010 before cofounding Searchlight Capital Partners in London, where he remains a founding partner. This private equity firm manages nearly $10 billion in assets, most of which is invested in private equity.
Searchlight Capital is a private equity firm that we started just about 10 years ago,
Haarmann remarked on the LSE Focal Point podcast in December 2021.
Searchlight now manages close to 10 billion dollars, most of it in private equity.
—Oliver Haarmann, Financier
Additionally, Haarmann’s leadership roles extend beyond finance. He has served as a member of the Brown University Board of Trustees, chairman of the board at IntoUniversity, advisory board member at Aspire Institute, and trustee for Artangel, demonstrating his involvement in educational and charitable organizations.
Investment in the New York Islanders Hockey Team
In early 2024, Haarmann became a minority co-owner of the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders. Reports from the New York Post detailed his acquisition of approximately a 10 percent stake in the team, which was finalized shortly after months of negotiation in late 2023. This investment aligns with Haarmann’s growing presence in the sports business sector.
Previous Marriage and Family Life
Before dating Witherspoon, Haarmann was married to Mala Gaonkar, a well-known financier. The couple has two sons together. Their partnership extended beyond marriage through their collaborative philanthropic efforts.
Philanthropic Work: The Surgo Foundation
In 2022, Oliver Haarmann and Mala Gaonkar established the Surgo Foundation, an organization focused on improving global health and development. The foundation operates alongside notable figures such as Sema Sgaier and author Malcolm Gladwell, underscoring its commitment to impactful charitable work.
Advice Shared by Haarmann to Students
During an interview on the LSE Focal Point podcast in December 2021, Haarmann reflected on the mindset students typically bring to education, especially those at institutions like LSE and Harvard Business School. He pointed out that while students usually approach problems with analytical skills, the challenge lies in shifting the perspective toward solutions and possibilities.
As students, especially if we’re at LSE or Harvard Business School, we generally go into it as highly analytical people. We have math skills, we have good problem solving skills,
Haarmann explained.
You know the whole university experience is built around enhancing those analytical and problem solving skills and communication skills. … The problem with them is actually you think about why things won’t work. … The real challenge is to say, ‘Why could something work and how could we make it work?’
—Oliver Haarmann, Financier
Haarmann’s advice highlights the importance of creativity and optimism in addressing challenges, which contributes to his success in private equity and philanthropy alike.
Significance of Their Relationship and Public Interest
The public attention on Reese Witherspoon’s relationship with Oliver Haarmann marks a significant chapter in her personal life following a high-profile divorce. Their visibility, especially the moments captured during their vacation in Saint-Tropez, reflects a growing comfort and openness about their partnership. Haarmann’s diverse background—as a successful financier, sports team owner, and philanthropist—adds dimension to their relationship and draws increased media interest.
As their relationship progresses, it may influence Witherspoon’s personal narrative and public image, combining her entertainment career with the financial and philanthropic world linked to Haarmann. Observers will likely watch for future developments, both in their individual pursuits and as a couple.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Reese Witherspoon have a baby at 22?
A. “I became a mother in 1999,” she explained. “I got pregnant at 22 and gave birth at 23.” Witherspoon has a daughter, Ava Elizabeth, who is 21, and a son, Deacon Reese, who is 16, with her former husband, Ryan Phillippe. She also has a son, Tennessee James, aged 7, with her husband, Jim Toth.
Q. Which actress doesn’t talk to Reese Witherspoon?
A. Reese Witherspoon recently shared news that a well-known British actress, Kate Winslet, is not speaking to her anymore. She talked about this in a new interview with Will Ferrell, her co-star in “You’re Cordially Invited.”
Q. Does Reese Witherspoon have an illness?
A. Although it is less noticeable, Reese Witherspoon does have fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Famous for her roles in “The Man in the Moon” and “Legally Blonde,” her acting skills make it hard to tell.
Q. What actress won’t talk to Reese Witherspoon?
A. To keep things private, Witherspoon didn’t mention the actress’s name during the open conversation. However, after some investigation, Just Jared revealed on Thursday that the unnamed celebrity Witherspoon talked about was Kate Winslet.
