Lori Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, have separated after nearly 28 years of marriage, a representative for the actress confirms exclusively to PEOPLE.
“They are living apart and taking a break from their marriage. There are no legal proceedings at this time,” said Loughlin’s representative, Elizabeth Much.
The news comes as the couple, who married in 1997, have recently been facing major life changes, including selling their luxury mansion and the professional return of the Full House alum following their involvement in the high-profile college admissions scandal.
Loughlin and Giannulli are parents to two daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose Giannulli.
Timeline of the Split and Fallout
The separation follows the couple listing their $16.5 million, 11,800-square-foot mansion in Hidden Hills for sale in February. They had purchased the property in August 2020 for $9.5 million, shortly after the height of the scandal.
In May 2020, Loughlin and Giannulli pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud after being accused of paying $500,000 to secure their daughters’ admission to the University of Southern California (USC). The scheme falsely designated the young women as recruits to the university’s crew team.
Loughlin was sentenced to two months in federal prison, while Giannulli received a five-month sentence in August 2020. The actress was released in December 2020 after nearly completing her sentence.
Loughlin’s Return to the Screen
Following her time in prison, the actress has steadily resumed her career, including returning to her role as Abigail Stanton in the When Calls the Heart spinoff, When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas, on Great American Family in December 2021.
More recently, she has appeared in films on Great American Family, including 2023’s Fall Into Winter and A Christmas Blessing. Loughlin also poked fun at her past in a self-referential appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm and has taken on roles in dramas like Blue Bloods and On Call.
In April 2024, Loughlin gave her first major interview since the scandal, speaking to First for Women Magazine about the importance of forgiveness and moving forward.
“I try to be a forgiving person. I’m not one to hold onto stuff,” she said at the time. “No one is perfect, we all make mistakes… I think you just have to pick yourself up. Nobody said life was going to be a breeze.”
•Featured image: From left: Mossimo Giannulli and Lori Loughlin in 2015/Donato Sardella/Getty
