section_path: Personal life
section_name: Personal life
paragraph_text: Personal life
  
  The son of Kirk and Lyn Ulbricht, Ross has a sister, Cally, who was residing in Australia at the time of his arrest, and a half-brother, Travis. His parents were reported to earn most of their income from renting out beachside vacation homes in Costa Rica. During his incarceration, his mother became a prominent campaigner for his release.
  
  While studying at the University of Texas, Ulbricht reportedly became engaged. However, he ended the relationship after discovering that his girlfriend had cheated on him with a close friend. During his graduate studies at Penn State, he began a relationship with Julia Vie, then a freshman student at the university. Vie moved with Ulbricht to Austin after he received his master's degree, but she stated that his lack of interest in social activities while he was building Silk Road led to their breakup. In an effort to rekindle the relationship, she visited him in San Francisco shortly before his arrest.
  
  Ulbricht is married. Following his release from prison, he expressed gratitude to his mother and wife for their efforts in campaigning for his freedom. Ulbricht identifies as a libertarian.
  
  The son of Kirk and Lyn Ulbricht, Ross has a sister, Cally, who was residing in Australia at the time of his arrest, and a half-brother, Travis. His parents were reported to earn most of their income from renting out beachside vacation homes in Costa Rica. During his incarceration, his mother became a prominent campaigner for his release.
  
  While studying at the University of Texas, Ulbricht reportedly became engaged. However, he ended the relationship after discovering that his girlfriend had cheated on him with a close friend. During his graduate studies at Penn State, he began a relationship with Julia Vie, then a freshman student at the university. Vie moved with Ulbricht to Austin after he received his master's degree, but she stated that his lack of interest in social activities while he was building Silk Road led to their breakup. In an effort to rekindle the relationship, she visited him in San Francisco shortly before his arrest.
  
  Ulbricht is married. Following his release from prison, he expressed gratitude to his mother and wife for their efforts in campaigning for his freedom. Ulbricht identifies as a libertarian.