By Reese Witherspoon, the Oscar-winning actor known for roles in “Big Little Lies” and “Legally Blonde,” has sparked romance rumors after being spotted with German financier Oliver Haarmann in New York City. The sighting comes just over a year after Witherspoon finalized her divorce from ex-husband Jim Toth in August 2023.
Witherspoon, 46, and Haarmann were photographed together on July 30, reportedly arriving in the city by helicopter. The following day, they were seen at L’Artusi, a celebrity hotspot in the West Village, in what appeared to be a date. The actress was dressed casually in a sleeveless black maxi dress with a high neckline, accessorized with a gold chain necklace and black and nude heeled pumps. Haarmann opted for navy trousers and a white button-down shirt.
Despite the romantic setting, multiple sources told People magazine that Witherspoon and Haarmann are “just friends.” An insider claimed that the actress is “taking things slow” when it comes to dating, focusing primarily on her work and her son. “She enjoys it but doesn’t want it to be a big focus,” the source added.
Haarmann, a founding partner of Searchlight Capital Partners, brings an impressive background to the table. He holds degrees from Brown University and Harvard Business School, and was previously a senior partner at global investment firm KKR & Co. Interestingly, he’s also a minority owner of the NHL’s New York Islanders. Like Witherspoon, Haarmann has been married before and shares two children with his ex-wife, financier Mala Gaonkar.
This potential new relationship comes in the wake of Witherspoon’s divorce from Jim Toth, her husband of 11 years. The couple announced their separation in March 2023, emphasizing their commitment to co-parenting their 11-year-old son, Tennessee James Toth. In a joint statement, they expressed their intention to move forward “with deep love, kindness, and mutual respect.”
Since finalizing her divorce, Witherspoon has been open about the experience. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, she expressed gratitude for being able to share the news of her breakup directly with her fans, describing it as a more “authentic” approach to addressing her personal life.
As speculation continues to swirl around Witherspoon’s relationship status, the actress remains focused on her successful career and her role as a mother. Whether this new connection with Haarmann blossoms into something more or remains a friendship, it’s clear that Witherspoon is navigating her post-divorce life with the grace and poise that have defined her public persona for decades.
