Rachel Ray’s raspy, distinguishable voice could be traced back to childhood illnesses. She has recalled in interviews being infected with croup several times as a child.
Ray has also mentioned repeated instances of losing her voice. At doctor visits for the issues, she was told to do throat exercises and avoid irritants like caffeine.
In 2008, false rumors began flying that Ray had throat cancer. A representative told People that Ray needed surgery on her vocal cords to remove a benign cyst.
The spokesman said that otherwise, Ray was "the picture of health." The surgery occurred in December 2008, and Ray's tapings for Food Network and "Rachael Ray" went as planned.
Ray told People that in the 1990s, she was mugged by the same person twice in one week. He first assaulted her in her apartment's foyer, and she used mace.
The second time, the assailant was more forceful and possibly even retaliatory. As Ray told People, "He dragged me down the alley and beat the crap out of me with his gun."
In 2013, Ray's aunt was house-sitting for her when she locked herself outside. Her aunt collapsed in the frigid temperatures and was discovered the next day.
Ray's cousin blamed her for the death, and the tension increased when Ray did not attend the funeral as she was taping a show. Later, Ray's brother came to her defense.
Other reports have said that Cusimano has cheated as much as six times, but Ray told People, "I've known where he is every night since we've been married."