After nearly three decades together, Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli’s marriage has reached an unexpected breaking point.
The couple, once seen as unshakable partners in both life and scandal, are now living apart. Their split comes after years of public scrutiny, legal battles, and attempts at rebuilding their lives following the infamous college admissions scandal.
With no divorce filed yet, the separation has left many wondering what’s next for the actress and the fashion designer who once seemed inseparable.
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Lori Loughlin Confirms Separation After 28 Years
After nearly thirty years together, Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli are going their separate ways.
PEOPLE reported that the two are no longer living under the same roof.
“They are living apart and taking a break from their marriage. There are no legal proceedings at this time,” said the actress’s representative, Elizabeth Much.
The split follows their decision to put their massive Hidden Hills mansion on the market in February for $16.5 million.
The property, which spans 11,800 square feet, was purchased by the couple in 2020 for $9.5 million.
The sale of the house seemed to signal big changes, and now the separation confirms it.
The move to sell the house came after a turbulent period in their marriage, one that had already placed them under the public microscope due to legal troubles.
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Loughlin And Giannulli At The Center Of A Scandal
Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli’s marriage was tested in 2019 when they became two of the most high-profile parents caught up in the college admissions scandal.
Prosecutors accused the couple of paying $500,000 to secure spots for their daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose, at the University of Southern California.
To make the plan work, the girls were falsely presented as crew team recruits, even though they had never rowed competitively.
The case was part of a larger nationwide investigation, known as Operation Varsity Blues, which also involved dozens of other wealthy parents, including actress Felicity Huffman.
For the “Full House” alum, who had long been known for her wholesome television roles, the scandal became a devastating blow.
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Her public image took a major hit, and the family’s private troubles suddenly became front-page news.
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Lori Loughlin And Mossimo Giannulli Served Time In Prison
The fallout from the scandal was quick. In May 2020, Loughlin and her husband both pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges, admitting their involvement in the scheme.
The court sentenced the actress to two months in federal prison, a $150,000 fine, and 150 hours of community service.
She began serving her time in October 2020 in Dublin, California, and was released in December of that year.
On the other hand, Giannulli’s sentence was harsher. He was sentenced to five months in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 250 hours of community service.
He reported to prison in November 2020 and was later moved to home confinement in April 2021 before completing his sentence.
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Loughlin Slowly Returned To Television
Despite the scandal, Lori Loughlin did not completely step away from acting.
After completing her prison term, the mother of two made a cautious return to the screen.
In December 2021, she reprised her role as Abigail Stanton in “When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas,” a spinoff of the series “When Calls the Heart.”
Her return to acting was closely watched, as many wondered whether the scandal had permanently ended her career.
Loughlin continued working in television, starring in “Fall Into Winter” in January 2023 opposite James Tupper, and later appearing with him again in “A Christmas Blessing” in November 2024.
She also branched out by playing a fictional version of herself on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” openly poking fun at her past involvement in the scandal.
Other recent credits include appearances on “Blue Bloods” and “On Call,” demonstrating her determination to rebuild her career.
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Lori Loughlin Spoke About Forgiveness And Moving Forward
In April 2024, Loughlin sat down for her first major interview since the scandal, opening up to First for Women Magazine.
While she avoided speaking directly about the college admissions case, she reflected on forgiveness and resilience.
“I try to be a forgiving person. I’m not one to hold onto stuff. Stuff happens to everyone. We’ve all been in positions to ask for forgiveness, but to ask for it, you have to learn and know how to give forgiveness, too,” she said.
The Hollywood star explained that her family always believed in letting go of mistakes.
She said, “No one is perfect; we all make mistakes. So I was always told to let stuff go. And I think for your own health, you have to let things go because you can’t hang on to negativity. Life’s too short.”
Loughlin also revealed her personal way of dealing with challenges, noting, “For me, it’s just persevering. As an actress, I hear ‘no’ a lot, so I just have to be myself and persevere and try not to let in negativity.”