Even when Reese Witherspoon isn’t literally on a yacht, she is metaphorically in the presence of an implied yacht at all times.
Whether it’s her signature old-money-blonde hair or her tendency to play compelling characters who say cutting things while holding a Birkin bag, Reese seems most at home in the polished world of the mega-rich.
As a result, when she is literally on a multi-million pound luxury boat – smooching a private equity titan, no less – it just looks so, so right.
The Big Little Lies actress and her boyfriend, German financier Oliver Haarmann (net-worth estimated at around half a billion dollars), looked like cast members of one of Netflix’s many summer series about the ultra-wealthy (Sirens, The Perfect Couple, or We Were Liars, just to name a few) during their getaway to Saint-Tropez on Saturday.
The actress definitely seems like the type to hand out slightly cringey pet names to her loved ones while sipping an overpriced cosmo – a suspicion confirmed by a source who revealed she affectionately calls Haarmann ‘her little genius.’
The couple, who went public with their romance a year ago, were seen sharing a steamy kiss before frolicking in the waves with the carefree energy of people who haven’t glanced at a supermarket price tag in decades – assuming, of course, they even remember what the inside of a supermarket looks like.
(Picture: HBO/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
The 49-year-old Oscar winner and her 57-year-old beau packed on the PDA, embracing throughout the day. At one point, Haarmann affectionately wrapped his arms around Witherspoon and kissed her on her little blonde head.
Witherspoon stunned in a simple white swimsuit as Haarmann put the fox in silver fox in a pair of colourful swim shorts.
An insider told DailyMail, ‘Reese has a close bond with Oliver because this is the first man she has been with who actually guides her, teaches her, mentors her.’
‘He is a very accomplished private equity financier and has given her solid financial advice over her brands like Draper James and Hello Sunshine. She calls him her “little genius” and loves that he has an MBA from Harvard,’ the insider continued.
‘It’s also nice that he already has kids with his ex, so there is no pressure with shared kids. All they do is have fun when they are not working and that is refreshing to her.
‘In her last two marriages she was always the leader, now Oliver is the leader. He pushes her to be more, and she loves that he makes plans for them, even small things like where they go to dinner.
‘She has already introduced Oliver to most of her friends and he has definitely been welcomed into her world. Everyone thinks she is madly in love.’
Oddly condescending commentary aside, it’s undeniable that Reese appears smitten, and there’s something very Reese about her nickname for her big business man lover.
And if she’s into her man making their dinner reservations and reviewing her investment portfolio? Fine, who can blame her?
Haarmann has two sons from his marriage to businesswoman Mala Gaonkar, 55, who is now in a relationship with The Talking Heads musician David Byrne, 73.
Ah, to be the kind of rich where you can once again begin dating actors and musicians – good for Mala and Oliver.
Haarmann first made his name in the world of investing as a founding partner of Searchlight Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm. He then went on to become a senior partner of the global investment firm KKR & Co.
Reese and her ex-husband Jim Toth, 54, announced their separation in 2023 after nearly 12 years of marriage. Just a week later, the actress officially filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences in court documents.
Reese and Jim later reached a divorce settlement and agreed to co-parent their 12-year-old son, Tennessee.
Reese also shares two children – Deacon, 21, and Ava, 25 – with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, 50.
Tax the rich and get the tech billionaires out of government positions, certainly, but the full spectrum of political views must make space for Reece Witherspoon’s god-given right to lounge on a yacht. Agreed? Agreed.
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