An Inside Look Into the Private Life of Late Astronaut Sally Ride, as Told by Her Partner Tam (Exclusive Clip)
Tam O'Shaughnessy is sharing the true story of her 27-year relationship with iconic astronaut Sally Ride.
In National Geographic's new documentary Sally, O'Shaughnessy, 73, gives insight into the pair's partnership for the first time ever, reflecting on their romance and the sacrifices they both made during their decades-long relationship.
O'Shaughnessy and Ride were together until the astronaut's death from pancreatic cancer at age 61 in 2012.
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'Most people only know of Sally as the first American woman in space. Of course, that was no small accomplishment! But Sally was so much more,' O'Shaughnessy exclusively tells Parade. 'She was an athlete, a physicist (she thought of herself as a physicist), a science writer and a champion of science education for all students. We kept our relationship private because of the culture of hostility and discrimination toward LGBTQ+ people at the time. Our families and close friends knew we were a couple, but few others did.'
O'Shaughnessy goes on to tell Parade that a few days before Ride died in hospice, she told her she wanted to hold a celebration of life for friends, families and colleagues who helped them build their science education company, Sally Ride Science, as well as her friends at NASA.
'Suddenly I wondered out loud, 'Who am I going to be to the people who don't know we were a couple? Who am I going to be to the world?' Sally thought about it for a moment and then said, 'You decide. Whatever you decide will be the right thing to do,'' O'Shaughnessy recalls. 'Shortly after our conversation, I made up my mind. I decided to be honest. I was very proud of Sally, of our extraordinary relationship, and of the life we built together.'
As for what it means to O'Shaughnessy that Sally will premiere during Pride month, the former professional tennis player says there's no better time, explaining to Parade what she hopes people from the LGBTQ+ community will take away from the documentary.
Related: 85 'Happy Pride Month' Wishes To Send to Friends and Family
'Never let anyone try to tell you what you should do with your life or whom you should love,' she says. 'Just like Sally, think for yourself and follow your heart. This message is especially crucial now, when the rights of the LGBTQ+ community are under attack. Always be true to yourself. That's how Sally lived her life, even though she kept a part of it private. It's a powerful and universal message.'
Directed, written and produced by Emmy Award-winning director Cristina Costantini, Sally also features appearances by tennis legend and advocate Billie Jean King, ex-husband Steve Hawley, fellow NASA class of 1978 astronauts Kathy Sullivan, Anna Fisher and John Fabian, sister Bear Ride, mom Joyce Ride and longtime friend and journalist Lynn Sherr.
Watch Parade's exclusive clip of Sally, which premieres Monday, June 16, on National Geographic and is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu the following day, below.
An Inside Look Into the Private Life of Late Astronaut Sally Ride, as Told by Her Partner Tam (Exclusive Clip) first appeared on Parade on Jun 3, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
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