Giada DeLaurentiis and her former husband, Todd Thompson, had celebrated over a decade of marriage when the celebrity chef took to Facebook to announce they were going their separate ways. The former couple has since found love again and are co-parents to their daughter.
Giada DeLaurentiis is a renowned Italian-American chef who became a Food Network and NBC regular for her mouth-watering recipes. The television personality was also famously married to fashion designer Todd Thompson for eleven years.
The former couple welcomed one child following Giada DeLaurentiis' brother's passing. However, they ultimately decided to end their marriage following infidelity allegations against the chef.
Giada DeLaurentiis and Todd Thompson at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on February 6, 2014, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Giada DeLaurentiis on the Evolution of Her Marriage to Todd Thompson
In May 2003, Giada and Todd said "I do" in front of their loved ones and remained husband and wife for over ten years. And according to the chef, her marriage lasted as long as it did, thanks to her and Todd finding a balance in supporting each other. Giada said:
"[...] I was there to help him in his career. Now [...] he helps me in mine. I think it's such a wonderful evolution of a relationship. And it's so cool how we can kind of divvy it up. [...] Most men want to be in the limelight and have the woman take care of them. You have to balance that."
Todd Thompson and Giada DeLaurentiis at the 2013 Los Angeles Dance Project Benefit Gala on June 20, 2013, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Giada DeLaurentiis Was Accused of Cheating on Her Husband
In 2011, Giada opened up about rumors that she was cheating on Todd with John Meyer after she and the singer were seen staying at the same hotel. "Which, by the way, my husband was there with me as well," she added.
After denying the John rumors — and noting that Todd knew she was "not capable" of being unfaithful — Giada shared that the "horrible" speculation also affected her former husband and his family.
She made headlines again in 2013, as she was spotted enjoying "a very cozy dinner" with Matt Lauer at Craig Koketsu's Park Avenue Autumn. However, according to reports, the dinner was strictly for business, not pleasure.
Todd Thompson and Giada DeLaurentiis spotted in Santa Monica on September 12, 2009, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Giada DeLaurentiis Pregnancy with Daughter Jade Marie DeLaurentiis Thompson Was a 'Shock'
During an interview, she revealed that her brother's death from skin cancer prompted her decision to start a family. The chef and her late younger sibling were very close. Giada recalled contemplating whether she should open her heart up to loving someone like that again, as she was also afraid of losing her child the way she did her little brother.
Todd and the chef later welcomed their daughter, Jade Marie DeLaurentiis Thompson, in Los Angeles on March 29, 2008, and Giada shared:
"When I found out I was pregnant, I was in complete shock. I truly didn't believe it. I honestly thought, 'There has got to be a mistake.'"
Jade Marie DeLaurentiis-Thompson, Giada DeLaurentiis, and Todd Thompson at "Ciao Chow! An Italian Dim Sum-Style Champagne Brunch" on February 22, 2014, in Miami Beach, Florida. | Source: Getty Images
Giada DeLaurentiis on Being a Working Mom
Since becoming a mother, Giada's eyes have been opened to the importance of being mindful of the kind of world she leaves behind and giving back to those in need, particularly children.
However, the "Giada at Home" star's success has seen her travel worldwide, and when she couldn't take her young daughter with her, she admitted to feeling a pang of mom guilt.
Jade DeLaurentiis Thompson, Todd Thompson, and Giada DeLaurentiis at the "Italian in Paradise dinner" on February 21, 2014, in Miami Beach, Florida. | Source: Getty Images
The chef also opened up about the warnings from her family that she would regret not growing her family after welcoming Jade, but for now, Giada has no regrets. Instead, she's used her time to grow closer to her daughter. The chef said:
"I know I'm her mother, but she's become my best friend. We have so much fun together. [...] I didn't think it was possible, but we laugh so much, and she's so inquisitive. I thought maybe she wouldn't want to cook like me because she'd want to do her own thing, but she's so into what I do and wants to be by my side every day."
Giada often uses social media to document her close relationship with her daughter. In November 2022, she shared a snap of the mother/daughter duo enjoying breakfast on the steps of a New York brownstone. It was followed by a picture of them wearing beaming smiles in honor of International Woman's Day.
"Soo proud of this 14 yr old!! #mommymoments #growingup," Giada captioned a post of her and Jade enjoying the clear blue water of the Rosewood Baha Mar, followed by a picture of her and Jade feasting on celebratory Nutella crepes on the day the 14-year-old was chosen to speak at her 8th-grade graduation.
Giada found love again with Shane Farley.
Todd has also shared glimpses of his close relationship with his daughter on Twitter and Instagram. In September 2020, the former designer took to social media to share an adorable picture of Jade in his arms as they posed before a breathtaking sunset.
In June 2021, he shared photos of him and his daughter in honor of Father's Day and shared, "I am so Proud and Happy to be her Dad," followed by a picture of the father/daughter duo smiling as they celebrated Daughter's Day.
Giada DeLaurentiis and Todd Thompson's 'Amicable Separation'
On December 30, 2014, Giada turned to Facebook to reveal that she and Todd had been separated since July of that year. And with "a great deal of sadness," the former couple ended their marriage. She added:
"[...] Our focus on the future and overwhelming desire for our family's happiness has given us the strength to move forward on separate, yet always connected paths. Todd and I share a beautiful daughter and a lifetime of great memories that we both treasure more than anything."
Giada DeLaurentiis Has Found Love Again
Since announcing her divorce from Todd, Giada found love again with Shane Farley, the producer of Steve Harvey's show "Steve" and Rachel Ray's show, "Rachel Ray." "I had been with Jade's dad for 25 years. I didn't know what it meant not to be married. Once I got settled, Shane and I reconnected, and I felt like a kid again," she shared.
Since making their relationship Instagram-official, Shane has often appeared on his famous girlfriend's Instagram page. In 2022, she turned to Instagram to celebrate her boyfriend's birthday, followed by pictures of the couple enjoying their time in Miami. And in June this year, the chef celebrated her "amore"s birthday with a photo dump of the couple over the years.
Todd has also moved on with someone else — Heather Lacombe — and in early November 2021, he celebrated his "amazingly loving, creative, cool, stylish, sexy, silly, caring and intelligent" girlfriend's birthday.
The post was followed by snaps of the couple celebrating Thanksgiving and a date night in Rome, Italy, and in October 2022, Heather documented her and Todd's love-dovey experience at a live show.
In June 2022, Todd and his ex-wife reunited in honor of Jade's 8th-grade graduation, and they were both the picture of proud parents as they shared snippets of their daughter's speech. Giada also shared a photo dump of Jade with Shane and a sweet picture of the exes with their daughter on her special day.
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