'Big Brother' Host Julie Chen Will Likely Always Support Husband Les Moonves
Jul. 11 2020, Updated 4:30 p.m. ET
In 2018, the CEO of the CBS Corporation, Leslie Moonves, stepped down from his position and did not receive any exit compensation as an executive of that level would under normal circumstances. But the circumstances were anything but: Moonves had been accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by dozens of women, some of whom claimed they’d been harassed way back in the ‘80s.
But was his wife? In 2004, Moonves and Julie Chen, a CBS producer and host of the American version of reality show Big Brother, got married. In 2009, they had a son named Charlie.
Is Julie Chen still married to Les Moonves?
Chen, now 50, is not only still married to Moonves, but she famously stood by and supported him after the accusations. Days after he was forced out of the company, Chen signed off an episode of Big Brother by saying, “I’m Julie Chen-Moonves. Goodnight,” as a show of solidarity with her husband.
Back in 2018, a source told CNN that Chen “has decided that her main focus needs to be clearing her husband’s name.” Indeed, she made a statement on Twitter, saying, “I have known my husband, Leslie Moonves, since the late ‘90s, and I have been married to him for almost 14 years. Leslie is a good man and a loving father, devoted husband, and an inspiring corporate leader. He has always been a kind, decent and moral human being. I fully support my husband and stand behind him and his statement.”
The statement to which Chen is referring to, is when Moonves stated, “I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advance[s]. Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely. But I always understood and respected — and abided by the principle—that ‘no’ means ‘no,’ and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone’s career.”
These days, Chen keeps it super professional on Instagram and rarely posts any personal photos.
So yes, Julie Chen is very much a married women. She and her husband Les Moonves will celebrate 16 years of marriage in December — and it doesn't look like that will be changing anytime soon.
