Ruby Rippey Gibney, formerly known as Ruby Rippey-Tourk, served as an appointments secretary for Gavin Newsom during his tenure as Mayor of San Francisco. Her relationship with Newsom became a significant scandal when it was revealed that they had an affair in late 2005, while she was married to Alex Tourk, Newsom’s campaign manager and close friend.
The affair came to light in 2007, leading to Alex Tourk’s resignation after confronting Newsom about the incident. At the time, Newsom was also navigating a divorce from Kimberly Guilfoyle. The revelation of the affair created a political uproar and threatened Newsom’s burgeoning political career.
In recent years, Rippey Gibney has spoken out about the affair, expressing her support for the #MeToo movement but questioning its application to her situation.
She described herself as a “free-thinking, 33-year-old adult” who made her own choices, acknowledging that the affair had devastating effects on her personal life, including the dissolution of her marriage.
Since the scandal, Rippey Gibney has focused on her recovery and personal growth, maintaining sobriety and building a new life with her current husband. She has publicly reflected on the lessons learned from the experience, emphasizing the importance of humility and personal accountability.
