Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix's Relationship Timeline

After nine years together, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix split in March 2023 following his affair with costar Raquel Leviss

• Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix met when she joined the cast of Vanderpump Rules in 2013

• They confirmed they were dating during season 2 reunion of Vanderpump Rules in February 2014

• Sandoval and Madix split in early 2023 amid cheating scandal involving former costar Raquel Leviss

• They were photographed filming season 11 in July 2023 but not any scenes together
  

Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix's breakup shook Vanderpump Rules fans, but the drama that ensued after was unlike anything Bravo watchers have ever seen.

The longtime couple went their separate ways after Madix discovered that Sandoval had been cheating on her with their Vanderpump costar Raquel Leviss. News of Sandoval and Leviss' affair first broke in early March 2023, with a source telling PEOPLE that Madix was "completely blindsided" by the betrayal.

"This is someone she thought she knew; someone she planned to spend the rest of her life with. You can't even put into words that betrayal," the insider said.

Sandoval and Madix first connected when Madix joined the cast of the hit Bravo show Vanderpump Rules in 2013, and they confirmed their relationship at the season 2 reunion in 2014.

In the years since, Bravo cameras have followed the couple as they have navigated challenges and celebrated major milestones, including purchasing their first house, becoming dog parents and co-writing a book together.

However, the pair's long-term romance came to a swift end when Sandoval's betrayal was revealed, with Madix later telling PEOPLE that learning of the affair was her lowest point.

"It felt like rock bottom," she said. "I've gone through other stuff before on the show but nothing like this at all. But there's nowhere else to go from rock bottom except up. So honestly, realizing that really helped me come out of that."

Here's everything to know about Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix's relationship.

Summer 2013: Ariana Madix joins the cast of Vanderpump Rules

Sandoval was an original cast member of Vanderpump Rules, while viewers were first introduced to Madix during season 2. Madix worked as a bartender at Lisa Vanderpump's Beverly Hills restaurant before she was transferred to the businesswoman's West Hollywood restaurant SUR. There, she became co-workers and castmates with the Vanderpump Rules crew.

Although it's unclear when they met, Sandoval referred to Madix as a friend in her debut episode and shared that they had previously worked together. Early on in the season, Sandoval's then-girlfriend Kristen Doute accused him of cheating on her with Madix, which both Sandoval and Madix denied.

February 10, 2014: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix make their relationship Instagram official

Following his breakup with on-again, off-again girlfriend Doute, Sandoval confirmed that he and Madix were dating during the season 2 reunion, which aired on Feb. 10, 2014. That same night, the pair also made their relationship Instagram official. Sandoval posted a snap taken during a trip to San Francisco, while Madix shared a black-and-white image of her and Sandoval making funny faces.

"Leave it to me to post this one," Madix captioned her post.

April 2016: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix attend Coachella

A few years into dating, Sandoval and Madix joined their friends at the annual Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California.

"Beer garden chill time w/ my lil dumplin," Sandoval captioned a picture of the pair in festival attire.

July 7, 2016: Ariana Madix celebrates Tom Sandoval's birthday

In honor of Sandoval's 33rd birthday, Madix penned a sweet birthday message to her boyfriend on Instagram.

"Happiest of Birthdays to the one whose love guides me through," she wrote alongside a picture of them kissing. "Here's to all of our adventures and memories, our future and our present. Every day with you is a gift. Thank you for being in my life. ❤️."

October 26, 2016: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix dress up for Halloween

The couple went all out for Halloween in 2016. Sandoval dressed as a vampire, while Madix went as an ice princess for SUR's "Black Magic" Halloween party.

"Tryna draw blood from my ice cold veins," Madix captioned a picture of her and Sandoval, who posed with his costume fangs out.

May 6, 2017: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix attend the Kentucky Derby

Sandoval and Madix joined their Vanderpump Rules costars Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright at the annual horse race in Louisville, Kentucky. Sandoval posted a shot of the entire group posing in front of the race track, as well as a picture of him and Madix donning formal attire for the Barnstable Brown Gala. Madix opted for a sweet selfie of her and Sandoval, captioned simply, "I took my hat off."

November 3, 2018: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix attend another music festival

In November 2018, the couple attended HARD's Day of the Dead music festival in Los Angeles. while rocking full skeleton makeup.

"So much fun at Day of the Dead festival!" Sandoval captioned a series of spooky shots on Instagram. "First time for Dumplin out in a min!"

December 31, 2018: Ariana Madix reveals cancer scare brought her closer to Tom Sandoval

Ahead of the new year, Madix summarized her 2018 on Instagram and revealed that she had experienced a cancer scare, which ultimately made her feel even closer to Sandoval.

"I had to have a lil bit o'cancer removed from my body and lymph nodes biopsied. (In the clear now!)," she wrote. "I started a business and got to raise money for my favorite charity. I kicked ass in the horse show ring. I fell more in love with my boyfriend and my girlfriends, but most importantly: MYSELF."

January 28, 2019: Ariana Madix says Tom Sandoval "betrayed my trust" after he told a private story about her

The couple hit a bump in the road during season 7 of Vanderpump Rules when Sandoval revealed to his friends that Madix and costar Lala Kent had had a sexual experience in his car.

Madix later said in a confessional that she felt Sandoval had betrayed her trust.

"I'm not embarrassed or ashamed of what happened between Lala and I, but I do feel like Tom betrayed my trust by telling this story to his guy friends," she said. "My sexuality is not something that is meant to sound cool to a bunch of dudes."

Madix and Sandoval were able to work things out, however, and they eventually made up. "When you talk about anyone's sexuality without their consent, it's like really not okay," Madix explained to him.

Sandoval responded, "I don't like being that guy … You know, you're like my treasure, and all those things that I know about you, all those little quirks and whatever, they're like very valuable to me."

February 2019: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix buy their first house together

Sandoval and Madix purchased their first home together in Valley Village, California, where fellow Vanderpump Rules costars Taylor and Cartwright also own a home. The friend group jokingly refers to their decision to relocate to the San Fernando Valley area as the "Great Valley Migration."

April 22, 2019: Ariana Madix defends Tom Sandoval from Lisa Vanderpump

On a season 7 episode of Vanderpump Rules, Madix stood up for her boyfriend over Vanderpump's mistreatment of him and costar Schwartz.

"If she claims you're an idiot, then she's basically saying I'm such an idiot that I would date somebody who's like that," Madix said in a confessional. "And therefore I find it an insult to me."

She added, "No matter what happens, no matter how old we are, what we've accomplished in life, we'll never be equals with Lisa. We all know that. But that doesn't mean that we don't deserve some level of respect."

December 3, 2019: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix publish their first book

Sandoval and Madix released their first book, Fancy AF Cocktails: Drink Recipes from a Couple of Professional Drinkers on Dec. 3, 2019. The mixology book, which they co-wrote together, features cocktail recipes in four categories: Classy, Trashy, Shots and Recovery.

A few days after the book's release, Madix posted a sweet photo of her and Sandoval on Instagram. "This week never stops being amazing! i'm so lucky ✨," she wrote in the caption.

December 18, 2020: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix respond to book lawsuit

One year after releasing Fancy AF Cocktails, Sandoval and Madix faced a lawsuit from author Alison Baker over an alleged breach of contract. Baker claimed that she contacted Madix in 2016 to discuss writing a book together and that her idea was stolen in a "willful, malicious and fraudulent" manner. Baker also alleged that Madix agreed to give her co-author credit and pay her 45% of the advance and royalties.

"The allegations presented are false and frivolous," the reality stars said in a statement to PEOPLE. "We will vigorously defend ourselves against these baseless claims."

February 25, 2020: Ariana Madix opens up about suffering from depression and receives support from Tom Sandoval

During a season 8 episode, Madix spoke candidly about suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. She first discussed her struggles with costars Kent and Stassi Schroeder, telling them, "I don't enjoy most things very much, but you guys don't know that because we don't talk one-on-one." She continued, "I'm considering driving off the f------ freeway bridge when I'm driving home at night. I don't talk to you guys about that stuff … because it's not safe. It's not safe."

After receiving support from the girls, Madix then broke down while having a conversation with her boyfriend. "I have seen Ariana this low before, but it is very rare," Sandoval said in a confessional. "It obviously weighs on me a lot, because I love her so much and I want to see her happy, and I want to do everything I can, but sometimes I feel powerless."

June 10, 2021: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix give a tour of their home

Two years after purchasing their farmhouse-style home, Sandoval and Madix finished decorating the space. The couple gave PEOPLE an exclusive tour of their newly completed five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom home and discussed how they managed to combine both of their unique styles.

"Every room is different because Tom and I both have different individual styles and then we've really worked hard to put those two very different ideas together," Madix said. "In some rooms, it's definitely like the both of us and then in other rooms, it's more me or more him."

Sandoval added, "We both have our own tastes and style, but we also have strong personalities."

October 26, 2021: Ariana Madix shares her thoughts on marriage to Tom Sandoval

Over the years, Madix has been vocal about her stance against getting married and having kids. During an October 2021 appearance on Watch What Happens Live, host Andy Cohen asked if the reality star would ever consider marrying Sandoval, and Madix revealed that her opinion has changed a bit over the years.

"I think the big thing for me is that I'm not really into the whole fanfare of it," she explained. "It's really more about the two people. So if it was just about us, you know, I honestly think I would be more open to it. I just don't want it to be like a big thing about having a giant wedding and a bachelorette party and all that b-------."

November 2021: Ariana Madix reveals she froze her eggs

During a season 9 episode of Vanderpump Rules, Madix revealed that she had frozen her eggs. "Surprise! I froze my eggs," she said in a confessional. "Me and Scheana [Shay] were actually going together to freeze our eggs. And then she got pregnant."

Madix was quick to dispel any speculation that she was having a baby anytime soon, though. "It's about having agency over my own body and my own future. It's also kind of a nice fun 'f--- you' to anybody who questions my values or my choices," she said.

June 5, 2022: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix attend the MTV Movie and TV Awards

The couple attended the 2022 MTV Movie and TV Awards, where they were nominated for best reality romance. Sandoval wore an all-white ensemble, while Madix wore a glittery, feathered pink dress. Both Sandoval and Madix also got to present awards during the ceremony.

"I was so honored to be nominated with @arianamadix AND also to present w/ @itsjameskennedy !" Sandoval wrote alongside a series of photos from the event on Instagram. "Thank u so SO much to everyone who voted and to @mtv @evolutionusa @nbc @bravotv ! This was a total bucket list moment for me!"

January 9, 2023: Ariana Madix sets record straight about "open relationship" with Tom Sandoval

During the season 10 trailer of Vanderpump Rules, Sandoval and Madix are confronted with rumors that they've invited other partners into their long-term relationship.

"We dont have an open relationship. i'm really not that cool. thought that was obvious," Madix tweeted shortly after the trailer dropped, adding that "bisexual ≠ polyamorous."

March 1, 2023: Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval split

A source told PEOPLE that the couple's nine-year relationship ended after Madix found out that Sandoval allegedly cheated on her with costar Raquel Leviss.

"They had been having problems for a while, but this was the final straw for Ariana," the insider said. "She put up with a lot over the years, but she won't sit back and be disrespected this way."

While supporting her boyfriend at a Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras show in Los Angeles, Madix discovered inappropriate text exchanges between Sandoval and Leviss.

"This has been going on for upwards of 6 months — all the while, Tom was sleeping next to Ariana in bed," a separate source told PEOPLE. "She was completely blindsided by this; devastated doesn't even scratch the surface of how she feels."

The couple's breakup will play out on Vanderpump Rules season 10, a source close to production shared with PEOPLE.

March 4, 2023, Tom Sandoval breaks silence following cheating allegations

On Instagram, Sandoval seemingly confirmed his affair with Raquel Leviss in a statement to fans.

"Hey, I fully understand and deserve ur anger and disappointment towards me, but please leave [Tom] Schwartz my friends and family out of this situation," he wrote. "I need some time to address everything. Sorry for everything."

March 6, 2023: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix continue to live together post-split

Neither Sandoval nor Madix have vacated the $2 million dollar home they share in Los Angeles.

A rep for Sandoval told PEOPLE that the pair are "still living together" and that decisions regarding the property will "take time to sort out."

March 7, 2023: Tom Sandoval publicly apologizes to Ariana Madix

In a second statement to his Instagram followers, Sandoval directly apologized to Madix for his "mistakes" that led to the end of their relationship.

"I made mistakes, I was selfish, and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly," he wrote. "I can only imagine how devastating this has been for Ariana and everyone around us. I feel really horrible about that. My biggest regret is that I dishonored Ariana."

Sandoval continued: "My love for Ariana was stronger than any camera could ever have captured. I wish things happened in a different order and our relationship was not severely tarnished, and that it ended with the same respect for her that it began with. I owed Ariana better."

March 15, 2023: Ariana Madix breaks her silence following Tom Sandoval cheating scandal

Two weeks after learning of Sandoval's months-long affair with Raquel Leviss, Madix broke her silence on social media.

"hi. where to begin? i want to express my most sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and support i have received from friends, family, and people i've never even met in the last two weeks." she wrote on Instagram. "when i have felt like i couldn't even stand, you all have given me the strength to continue and seen me through my darkest hours."

Madix continued: "to say i have been devastated and broken is an understatement. however, i know that i am not in this alone. so many of my closest friends are also grieving this loss right now and reeling from this betrayal on so many levels. i am so f---ing lucky to have the best support system in the world and i hope i can repay every single person for the love you have shown me.

The reality star ended her statement with, "what doesn't kill me better run."

Earlier that day, during an episode of Watch What Happens Live, Katie Maloney told Andy Cohen that Madix is in a "really good headspace" following her split from Sandoval.

March 20, 2023: Ariana Madix tells Tom Sandoval she wants him "to die" in midseason Vanderpump Rules teaser

Bravo teased the highly-anticipated, first on-camera conversation between Madix and Sandoval following their dramatic split.

"I wish we both would have tried harder," the TomTom owner said. To which Madix responded: "You don't deserve one f---ing tear of mine."

The clip then cuts to Sandoval asking his ex if she wants anything from the kitchen in their shared Los Angeles home.

"For you to die," she said plainly.

April 3, 2023: Ariana Madix wears red-hot revenge dress to Vanderpump Rules reunion following Tom Sandoval cheating scandal

Bravo dropped the first photos from the Vanderpump Rules season 10 reunion, and Madix came dressed to show Sandoval just what he's missing. The mixologist wore what fans are calling the "revenge dress" — a bright red, cutout ensemble that showed off her toned tummy. She paired the fiery look with a slew of silver rings and long red nails.

April 11, 2023: Tom Sandoval says he still loves Ariana Madix

For the first time since his affair with Raquel Leviss was exposed, Sandoval agreed to an interview. He discussed what fans are calling "Scandoval," on the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast.

"It's just crazy how big this whole thing has gotten for who I am — I'm not like the royal family, I'm on a reality show," he told the hosts. "Like, if Snooki has an affair with whoever, is that going to be national news? It's been six weeks since this all went down. I'm finally getting time to start to reflect on this situation."

Sandoval went on to share the current state of his feelings toward Madix.

"I still love Ariana, and I care about her very much. But we, for a while, had sort of been just having our own lives," he said. "We were together for like nine years. Like many relationships, it felt like it became more like best friends, family [and] sometimes roommates. The relationship was lacking intimacy and connection."

April 16, 2023: Ariana Madix spotted kissing a new man at Coachella

Madix was spotted kissing fitness instructor Daniel Wei at Coachella. But a source told PEOPLE that the reality star is just "having fun" following her split from Tom Sandoval.

"Ariana just got out of a long relationship, and isn't jumping into anything serious," the insider said. "What you're seeing is a woman who is single and having fun."

After seeing the photos of Madix canoodling with someone new, Sandoval told TMZ that he's "really happy" for his ex.

May 24, 2023: Ariana Madix says she doesn't know how she'll be able to "trust anyone again" after Tom Sandoval's betrayal

Madix is trying to move forward after learning of Sandoval's infidelity. But she admitted to PEOPLE that she has some serious reservations about dating and trusting someone new.

"When this first happened, I really thought, 'I don't know how I can trust anyone again," Madix shared. "A friend of mine — about 10, 11 days after I found out — encouraged me not to lose that part of myself; to still see the good in people, and to trust people, and to be loyal to my friends and my relationships. And I was kind of like, 'Yeah, I don't know about that...' "

The reality star continued: "But her saying that, and hearing that from others too, has really helped me move forward. I'm getting there, at my own pace."

Madix also appeared on Alex Cooper's podcast, Call Her Daddy, where she dropped some major bombshells about Sandoval's affair with Raquel Leviss — including the fact that the TomTom owner brought Leviss to visit his family in St. Louis "more than once."

She also revealed that Sandoval and Leviss hooked up in her Los Angeles home while she was just a few doors away.

"They had sex in my guest room while I was sleeping in my own bed. He and I went to bed together and then he left the bed and went to the guest room and f----- her," Madix said.

June 7, 2023: Tom Sandoval says he will always love Ariana Madix during the Vanderpump reunion finale

Madix confronted her ex several times during the Vanderpump Rules season 10 reunion. After several heated exchanges — including one in which Sandoval made a dig about the former couple's sex life — Sandoval ended with a teary apology to Madix.

"I understand what I did was very, very tough. But understand that like I'm a human, I make mistakes. I made a terrible mistake. I hurt somebody I've never loved ever more in my entire life," he told her.

"I know that you don't hate me but I want you to know I will. I will always love you," he continued, crying. "I will always be cheering you on from afar, always."

Madix, however, did not echo her ex's words. "I will not forgive him, and I will not be cheering him on from afar," she said.

June 28, 2023: Source says Tom Sandoval will return for Vanderpump Rules season 11

Despite the fallout from the infamous cheating scandal, Sandoval has signed on to film Vanderpump Rules season 11, according to a source. At the time, it was uncertain if Raquel Leviss and Ariana Madix would return.

"Raquel’s family doesn’t want her to film, but the cast is betting she appears at some point,” the insider told PEOPLE.

August 8, 2023: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix film Vanderpump Rules season 11 together

Five months after their split, the exes kept it professional on the set of Vanderpump Rules season 11. In photos posted on Instagram, Sandoval and Madix were all smiles as they filmed a group scene with water sommelier Martin Riese.

A month prior, Madix was spotted filming at TomTom. Patrons chanted “Ari! Ari! Ari!" as she danced the night away.

August 18, 2023: Ariana Madix says she'll tell the "whole story" of Tom Sandoval split in new cocktail book

After collaborating on her first cocktail book with Sandoval, Madix is releasing her first solo concoction, Single AF Cocktails, in December.

"Through all the rumors and crazy headlines, everyone had their own hot take on what happened. But now is the time that I’m fully telling my side of the story," she wrote on Instagram. "Bartending will always be my thing and my new book, SINGLE AF COCKTAILS, is my breakup album, the story of our relationship and the betrayal that ended it all, told through drinks."

Madix continued: "Each cocktail tells part of the story of what happened, in my own words. From our happy honeymoon phase, the early issues in our relationship, to when everything broke, and finally, making it out the other side, stronger than before, I’ll cover it all. The book tells the whole story."

January 5, 2024: Ariana Madix sues Tom Sandoval over their shared Los Angeles home

Madix decided to take legal action against Sandoval after a nearly yearlong stalemate regarding the sale of their L.A. home.

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Madix is hoping the court will declare that she and Sandoval must sell the home and split the proceeds.

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