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Rachael Ray, the iconic chef and television personality, has made a surprising revelation about her feelings toward New York City. While she owns properties in the city, as well as in upstate New York and Italy, Ray prefers the tranquility of her home in the Tuscan countryside over the chaos of the Big Apple.
Choosing Peace Over Urban Chaos
In a recent interview, Ray shared her perspective on city life. She noted that her husband, John Cusimano, enjoys the vibrancy of New York. However, she stated her preference for the quieter existence in their Italian villa. “My husband loves being in New York,” Ray explained. “And I tell him, ‘Hey, go as often as you like, stay as long as you want.’ I come to New York and upstate New York when I have work, I prefer Italy.” This desire for peaceful living has shaped Ray’s lifestyle and priorities.
A Dog’s Delight in the Countryside
Ray further emphasized her choice by mentioning her beloved dog, Bella. According to Ray, Bella is much happier in the expansive Tuscan landscape. “She hates New York City. Bella is not a New Yorker at all,” Ray explained affectionately. “For the dog’s sake, I spend as much time [in Italy] as I can. She has a swimming pool and 66 hectares to run around on. Everything is very quiet, and the air is fresh, with huge gardens, a vineyard, and olive trees. I just prefer that life.” This idyllic setting not only benefits Bella but has also become a sanctuary for Ray.
A Milestone Anniversary in Italy
When it came to celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary, it was Italy that Ray and Cusimano chose. They visited their favorite restaurants in Florence and Rome, enjoying a more intimate celebration than in previous years. Ray shared, “We live in Tuscany, so we can bop back and forth to both of those places pretty quickly. This year we just went with us. Two nights in Florence, two nights in Rome.”
The Journey to Their Tuscan Home
Ray’s journey to owning a property in Tuscany is marked by her deep-seated connection to Italy. In 2021, she revealed that she had purchased the quaint home in Tuscany. In her magazine, Rachael Ray In Season, she expressed her excitement, stating, “I’m writing this just before I go to Italy for the first time in three years. I love it there and have missed it.” With roots tracing back to family in the region, her ties to Italy run deep.
A Love For the Land
Reflecting on her affection for the Tuscan landscape, Ray remembered the challenges of their initial property purchase. She described the property as a “war zone” with two structures lacking plumbing and electricity. Despite her husband’s reservations, Ray was captivated by the surrounding fields and views. She recalled saying, “But I fell in love with the fields, and I thought for the money we’d pay for a house, we could build something truly ours.”
An Unmatched Atmosphere
For Ray, there is something uniquely enchanting about Tuscany. She has described the air as different from anywhere else. “In Tuscany, the air smells different from any other place on earth I’ve visited,” Ray remarked. “It’s sweet and filled with the scent of agricultural wonder. The olive trees, vineyards, fecund gardens, and incredible landscapes overwhelm you. It’s what I’ve missed the most — the air! The first time I went, 20 years ago, I felt it as soon as I touched the ground.” Her words resonate with anyone who has experienced the serene beauty of the Italian countryside.
Sharing Her Italian Experience
In 2022, Ray took her love for Italy to the screen with a limited reality series, Rachael Ray’s Italian Dream Home. The show showcased her renovation process and highlighted the joys of living in Tuscany. Following that project, she began filming a new show titled Rachael Ray in Tuscany, which focuses on Italian cuisine and the culinary delights of the region.
A Contrast With City Life
Though Ray finds solace in her Tuscan paradise, her experiences in New York City have not always been positive. In an interview with the New York Post, she recounted harrowing moments from her time in the city, including a mugging outside her apartment in Queens. She recalled the frightening encounter while sharing her vulnerable memories. “He has literally a Glock in his hand and sticks it in my back, and I scream so loud. I think they heard it in Jersey,” she said. Despite the trauma, her resilience shone through.
Navigating Urban Challenges
Ray described how she defended herself during the mugging. “I sprayed him in the face with mace, and he was not happy,” she reflected. Although she felt bad about the situation, her instinct for survival kicked in during the traumatic encounter. Even after that incident, the mugger returned a second time, but was thwarted by a neighbor’s dog.
The Peaceful Choice
Despite the chaos she experienced in New York City, Rachael Ray has found her peace in Italy. Whether through her successful career in culinary arts or her tranquil life in a Tuscan villa, Ray’s journey is a testament to the importance of finding solace in the everyday. Her story encourages many to embrace the lifestyle that brings them the most joy, whether that means bustling city life or the serene countryside.
