Danica Patrick’s two-year relationship with NFL star Aaron Rodgers ended in 2020, yet its emotional aftermath remains. The NASCAR trailblazer, once dubbed a “marketing machine” by Kyle Petty, faced public scrutiny over her racing career and personal life. However, she opened up regarding her heartbreak in a 2021 appearance on “Running Wild With Bear Grylls.”
Years later, Patrick’s post-retirement ventures — from vineyards to controversial podcasts — showcase a woman redefining resilience. But her path hasn’t been without turbulence, including health battles and politically polarizing moments.
Danica Patrick Reflects on Heartbreak and Growth
Patrick’s split from Rodgers in July 2020 marked a turning point. “I think we learn the most about ourselves through relationships,” she told Grylls. “But there’s nothing like heartbreak to really throw you in the deep end of that.”
The pair, who purchased a $28 million Malibu, Calif., estate in 2019, parted ways mutually. Rodgers’ abrupt engagement to actress Shailene Woodley months later stunned fans, but Patrick focused on healing.
“My heart got broken open to both ends of the spectrum,” she said. “I have felt so much joy in so many more instances and so many more unlikely places than I ever have.”
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Family support anchored her, with Patrick saying, “You gotta have someone you can fall apart with,” crediting her parents and sister.
The racing icon’s personal growth paralleled her professional evolution. Once the only woman to win an IndyCar race (2008 Japan 300), Patrick retired in 2018 after mixed NASCAR success — seven top-10 finishes in 191 Cup Series races. The media and fans used to call her a “gimmick” or a “publicity stunt,” but she shrugged off those labels.
“I’m really fortunate to have a family that’s super supportive,” she emphasized.
Life Beyond the Track for NASCAR’s Trailblazer
Post-retirement, Patrick pivoted to entrepreneurship and media. She launched a wellness brand (Warrior), a vineyard (Somnium), and hosted the 2018 ESPYs — a first for women. Her podcast “Pretty Intense” blends spirituality and controversy, including the 2023 backlash for suggesting “aliens helped create human DNA.”
Health struggles also shaped her journey. After years of fatigue, Patrick diagnosed herself with breast implant illness, removing her implants in 2022. “It took almost seven years to realize they were the issue,” she shared.
Politically, she made headlines endorsing Donald Trump at a 2024 rally, stating she voted for him “for the first time at 42.” Meanwhile, Rodgers’ NFL career soared — his 2021 MVP shoutout to “my fiancée” contrasted sharply with Patrick’s quieter reinvention.
Turning 43 on March 25, 2025, Patrick’s $80 million net worth reflects racing royalties, endorsements, and ventures. Yet her legacy remains split: a pioneer who broke barriers but never won a NASCAR race. As Katherine Legge prepares to become the next Cup Series female driver, Patrick’s story of heartbreak and hard turns resonates beyond checkered flags.
