That larger life began to take shape through an unexpected relationship that would eventually redefine her future. She met Tony Ressler before he became a major financial figure, at a time when she was the more famous name and the stronger earner. In those early years, she paid for their vacations and even helped buy their first home, choosing him not for prestige or power, but for the sense of trust, stability, and connection he brought into her life.
As the relationship deepened, so did the scale of what they would build together. Ressler went on to co-found Ares Management, which grew into one of the most influential investment firms in the United States. During that time, Gertz gradually stepped away from the version of public life people had long associated with her and embraced a quieter but no less significant role, supporting their growing family and standing beside one of the country’s most powerful business success stories.
