Ryan Sutter recently opened up about a difficult phase in his 21-year marriage to Trista Sutter . During a joint appearance on the Amy & T.J. podcast on February 3, the former Bachelorette winner candidly discussed the moment when their relationship was “closest” to breaking up.


Reflecting on their journey, Ryan, 50, admitted that if their marriage had ever been in jeopardy, it was likely due to Trista considering leaving him years ago. “I think I went through a little bit of a rough period of just trying to figure out kind of where I was in life, and I think that was difficult on her,” he shared. However, he emphasized that despite any challenges, their love for each other never wavered.


Ryan acknowledged that his struggles at the time made him more self-focused than Trista had hoped for in a lifelong partner. “I was a little more selfish than she wanted to have someone be if she was gonna spend the rest of her life with them,” he explained. He credited their open and honest conversations for helping him mature and strengthen their bond. “I just had to wake up and grow up a little bit—and I feel like I did. I mean, we’re still here.”


Ryan and Trista, who met on The Bachelorette in 2003 and tied the knot later that year, continue to stand strong in their marriage, proving that open communication and personal growth have played key roles in their lasting relationship.