Matty Healy: Engagement, Sobriety, and Taylor Swift

There’s a reason why the lead singer of The 1975 keeps making headlines — between his chart-topping albums, a highly publicized rumored romance with Taylor Swift, and his openness about addiction recovery, Matty Healy’s life reads like a series of pivot points. He has been sober since 2017, got engaged to model Gabbriette Bechtel in 2024, and continues to challenge gender norms with his fashion choices. This profile traces the key moments that shaped the frontman’s journey.

Age (as of 2024): 35 · Height: 6 ft 0 in · Band: The 1975 · Engaged to: Gabbriette Bechtel · Sobriety: Sober since 2017

Below is a summary of key personal details.

Did Taylor Swift and Matty Healy really date?

Healy and Swift were first linked in 2014, according to ET Online (entertainment news). The speculation resurfaced in May 2023 after Swift’s breakup with Joe Alwyn, and multiple outlets reported a short‑lived romance.

How long did they date?

• Both were seen together in New York and London during May 2023.
• Neither party publicly confirmed a relationship.
• Sources told ET Online (entertainment news) the romance lasted only a few weeks.

Why did they break up?

• Fans and media pointed to timing and public scrutiny as factors.
• Healy later responded to speculation that his next album would be about Swift, calling it “lazy” journalism (E! Online (entertainment news)).

What this means: The public fascination with their connection highlights how private lives of major artists can become instant global conversation.

What is Matty Healy diagnosed with?

Healy has been open about his past heroin addiction. In a 2023 interview with CBC Radio Q (Canadian public broadcaster), he described the addiction as one of the few times he did something the rest of the band opposed.

Heroin addiction

• Healy entered rehab in 2017 after his family and bandmates staged an intervention (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).
• He referenced the struggle in lyrics on The 1975’s album A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships.

Recovery journey

• He has maintained sobriety since 2017 and speaks about it as a defining chapter of his life.
• In a 2020 interview with CBC Radio Q (Canadian public broadcaster), Healy said recovery required him to “re‑learn how to be a person.”

The pattern: His candor about recovery strengthens fan trust but also keeps him under a microscope whenever he steps out of line.

Is Matty Healy still sober?

Yes. Healy has been sober since completing rehab in 2017. No credible reports of relapse have surfaced.

Sobriety timeline

• Entered rehab in 2017 (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).
• Publicly discussed his recovery in 2020 and 2023 (CBC Radio Q (Canadian public broadcaster)).

Support system

• Healy credits his bandmates and therapy for keeping him on track.
• He noted that the band’s disapproval of his heroin use was a key motivator to quit.

The catch: That very visibility forces him to balance honesty with the risk of feeding speculation.

Who is Matty Healy engaged to now?

Healy proposed to model and chef Gabbriette Bechtel in June 2024. The couple had been dating since September 2023 (The Independent (UK news)).

Gabbriette Bechtel background

• Bechtel is a model, chef, and cookbook author.
• She has walked runways for brands like Mugler and is known for her alternative style.

Engagement announcement

• Bechtel shared a photo on Instagram showing the ring with the caption “Yes.”
• The Telegraph (UK newspaper) and other outlets confirmed the news on June 12, 2024.

What this means: The relationship signals a move toward domestic stability after a period of intense media scrutiny.

Why did Matty Healy wear skirts?

Healy has worn skirts and dresses on stage and in public since the early 2010s. He described the choice as a way to challenge gender norms and express individuality (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Gender expression in fashion

• Healy stated in a 2019 interview with Vogue (fashion magazine) that clothing is “just fabric” and that he does not see gender as a limitation.
• His wardrobe includes oversized blazers, leather trousers, and often, skirts paired with combat boots.

Influence of punk and glam rock

• Healy cites David Bowie, Prince, and 1980s glam rock as inspirations for his androgynous style.
• The 1975’s music videos and stage design reinforce a gender‑fluid aesthetic.

The implication: This deliberate provocation keeps him relevant but also polarizes audiences.

Timeline: Key events in Matty Healy’s life

• April 8, 1989 – Born in London, England (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2002 – Forms The 1975 with schoolmates (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2013 – The 1975 releases self‑titled debut album (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2017 – Enters rehab for heroin addiction (Rolling Stone (music magazine))
• 2020 – Speaks publicly about sobriety and recovery (CBC Radio Q (Canadian public broadcaster))
• May 2023 – Rumored relationship with Taylor Swift (ET Online (entertainment news))
• June 2024 – Engaged to Gabbriette Bechtel (The Telegraph (UK newspaper))

For fans of The 1975 and observers of pop culture, Healy’s trajectory reveals a pattern: each personal hurdle — addiction, public speculation about his relationships, or criticism of his fashion — has been met with a pivot toward openness and creativity. His engagement and continued sobriety suggest a stable chapter, but his history of defying expectations means the next turn may already be in motion. For those following his story, the takeaway is clear: Healy’s resilience is as much a part of his art as the music itself.

Related reading

For more on musicians’ sobriety journeys, see our profile of David Lee Roth: Never Married, No Kids, Net Worth & Sobriety. And for another artist connected to Taylor Swift, read Olivia Rodrigo: Health, Relationships, and Taylor Swift Feud.