Sex and the City Author's Unbelievable Love Life: Dating a 21-Year-Old and 91-Year-Old in One Week!

Candace Bushnell, the inspiration behind Sex and the City's iconic character Carrie Bradshaw, has a real-life love life that is equally captivating. In an exclusive interview with We, the 64-year-old author and playwright shared her numerous, thrilling dating experiences. From dating a 21-year-old one week to a 91-year-old the next, Bushnell revealed that nobody prepares you for such a vast age range in romantic encounters.

Bushnell's column in the New York Observer inspired the SATC anthology book series, which later became the famous HBO comedy that aired from 1998 to 2004. The show followed Carrie, along with her BFFs Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte, as they navigated the dating scene in New York City. Although Bushnell's own life as a single woman in the Big Apple may have influenced the series and its subsequent adaptations, she had no intentions of playing the role of Carrie herself. Even Sarah Jessica Parker, who initially had doubts about being right for the role, didn't envision Bushnell in the iconic character.

“There was a moment when Sarah Jessica Parker had doubts about continuing with the pilot, and it became a bit uncertain. There was even a suggestion that Candace could take on the role, but I didn't feel equipped to handle it. I have always been delighted that Sarah is the perfect fit for Carrie Bradshaw. She is truly fabulous."

In reality, Bushnell believes that Carrie and the other women in the Sex and the City franchise do not completely embody her.

"I don't identify with the character. My marriage wasn't to a wealthy man," Bushnell revealed, possibly referring to her divorce from Charles Askegard in 2012. "I didn't marry someone like Mr. Big. Nevertheless, I'm currently single, actively dating, and constantly generating new ideas. I believe in being your own Mr. Big, as I like to say."

While Carrie did marry Mr. Big (Chris Noth), his death serves as the key event in the Max series And Just Like That, which premiered in 2021. However, the show's second season introduces another former flame from Carrie's past: her ex-fiancé, Aidan Shaw (John Corbett).

Carrie and Aidan had an on-again, off-again relationship that started in season 3 of the original series. Although they broke up when Carrie cheated with Big, they later rekindled their romance and even became engaged. However, Carrie ultimately decided she wasn't ready for marriage, leading them to go their separate ways. In the second Sex and the City movie, despite being married to other people, the pair shared a kiss before moving on with their lives. However, in the upcoming series, And Just Like That, there are signs of a renewed connection between the two. Author Candace Bushnell explained that bringing back Aidan reflects a common real-life experience of older women reconnecting with their exes and finding success in their relationships.

Candace Bushnell. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Dating is fun because of the anticipation of what the future holds, according to Bushnell. She explained that this is why she is open to going on dates with people of various ages, ranging from 21-year-olds to 91-year-olds. Being divorced, she admits that she doesn't have all the answers but embraces the unknown aspect of dating, acknowledging that one never truly knows what will happen.

In addition to embracing her single status, Bushnell is fully focused on her work. Currently, she is working on her one-woman show titled "True Tales of Sex, Success, and Sex and the City," which originated from the COVID-19 pandemic. This engaging project showcases a whirlwind of extraordinary personal stories encompassing fashion, literature, and sex. It also includes numerous anecdotes and activities centered around SATC.

A particularly entertaining aspect of the show is a game called "Real or Not Real," where Bushnell explores how the events depicted in the TV series differ slightly from her own real-life experiences. She shares stories about the men Carrie dates in the show and delves into her own account of navigating New York City and the wild adventures she encountered. Additionally, she reveals the journey of creating Sex and the City, the immense effort she dedicated to reaching her goals, the reason behind inventing the iconic character Carrie Bradshaw, and the aftermath of her experiences.

True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City will take place at Canoe Place in Hampton Bays, New York, on Thursday, August 17, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Reporting by Christina Garibaldi