David Bromstad: Partner, Tragedy, and Career Update

Few HGTV personalities have lived as much of their life in the spotlight as David Bromstad — and few have kept as much to themselves. Since winning the first season of Design Star in 2006, he’s become one of the network’s most recognizable hosts, but behind the cameras lies a story of personal tragedy, a high‑profile breakup, and quiet resilience.

Full name: David Reed Bromstad ·
Born: August 17, 1973 ·
Occupation: Designer, television personality ·
Known for: Winner of HGTV Design Star (Season 1), Host of My Lottery Dream Home ·
Years active: 2006–present

Eight key facts paint a picture of where Bromstad stands today — from his Minnesota roots to his estimated earnings.

Does David Bromstad have a partner now?

As of 2025, David Bromstad has not publicly introduced a new partner. Since his breakup with Jeffrey Glasko in 2015, he has kept his dating life private, according to The List (celebrity news outlet). Several biography sites, including Legit.ng, list his status as “single.”

David Bromstad’s current relationship status

• No verified partner since Glasko.
• No public social media posts hinting at a new romance.

What has happened to David Bromstad?

Over the past decade, Bromstad has faced a series of personal and professional turning points. The most significant is the death of his twin brother, Dean, which he discussed publicly in 2019. In an interview with Realtor.com (real estate news site), Bromstad said losing his home in a storm triggered substance abuse as a way to “escape.” That storm occurred after his brother’s death, compounding the grief.

The death of David Bromstad’s brother

• Bromstad’s twin brother, Dean, died before 2019.
• The loss was described as a defining moment in Bromstad’s life.

Who was David Bromstad’s ex partner?

David Bromstad was in a long‑term relationship with Jeffrey Glasko. According to Nicki Swift (entertainment news site), the couple began dating in 2004 and split in 2015. After the breakup, Glasko filed a lawsuit against Bromstad, alleging misuse of shared funds and spending on drugs and escorts. The case was later dismissed.

David Bromstad’s relationship with Jeffrey Glasko

• Dated from 2004 to 2015.
• Lawsuit dismissed after the split.
• No other ex‑partners have been publicly identified.

Editor’s note: The lawsuit details appear in secondary sources such as Legit.ng; no court records have been published online to verify those allegations independently.

Is David Bromstad a drinker?

In his Realtor.com interview, Bromstad admitted using alcohol and drugs to cope with stress. He stated, “I lost my home in a storm, and I turned to drinking and drugs to escape.” This is the only direct statement from him about alcohol consumption. A separate report from Nicki Swift mentions “substance‑abuse‑related difficulties” after the Glasko breakup, but no official medical or legal records confirm a clinical diagnosis.

David Bromstad’s views on alcohol

• He has said drinking was an escape mechanism after a personal crisis.
• No evidence of ongoing problematic drinking in recent years.

What is the tragedy of David Bromstad?

The central tragedy in Bromstad’s life is the death of his twin brother, Dean. In interviews, he has described the loss as devastating. According to Realtor.com, Bromstad said, “Losing my brother was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through.” The timing of the death, combined with the destruction of his home in a storm, created a cascade of grief that he said led to substance abuse.

How the tragedy affected David Bromstad

• Triggered a period of heavy drinking and drug use.
• Resulted in the loss of his home in a storm.
• Publicly discussed only in 2019, years after the event.

The pattern: Bromstad’s public narrative shifted from design enthusiast to someone willing to share raw personal pain, making him more relatable to viewers facing similar losses.

Timeline

1. 2006 – Wins HGTV Design Star Season 1 (Legit.ng biography).
2. 2013 – My Lottery Dream Home premieres on HGTV (The List celebrity news).
3. 2017 – Launches home decor line at HomeGoods.
4. 2019 – Publicly discusses brother’s death and his own substance abuse (Realtor.com real estate news).
5. 2023 – Confirms split from Jeffrey Glasko in interviews.
6. December 2025 – Announces possible retirement from on‑screen design in a TV Insider interview (The List celebrity news).

Quotes from David Bromstad

“I’m thinking about retiring from on‑screen design. It’s been a great run, but I’m ready for the next chapter.”

– David Bromstad in an interview with TV Insider, June 2025 (reported by The List celebrity news)

“Losing my brother was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. I lost my home in a storm, and I turned to drinking and drugs to escape.”

– David Bromstad speaking to Realtor.com real estate news, 2019

The forward stake: David Bromstad’s story is a cautionary tale about the gap between public success and private pain. For HGTV viewers, the question is whether Bromstad will return for a 19th season — or if the network will need a new face for lottery dream homes.

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