Nearly 28 Years Together
Lori Loughlin, 60, best known for her role as Aunt Becky on Full House, and Mossimo Giannulli, 62, founder of the Mossimo clothing brand, married in 1997. Over the years, they carved out a life that combined Hollywood glitz with fashion world influence. Together they raised two daughters — Olivia Jade, now 25, a popular YouTuber and influencer, and Isabella Rose, 26, an actress and model who has kept a lower profile. Their nearly 28-year marriage weathered multiple challenges, but insiders say the couple ultimately decided it was time to part ways.
The Varsity Blues Scandal
No period tested their marriage more than the 2019 college admissions scandal. Known as Operation Varsity Blues, the federal investigation exposed dozens of wealthy parents accused of cheating the admissions process to get their children into elite universities. Loughlin and Giannulli were charged with conspiracy after prosecutors said they paid $500,000 in bribes to have their daughters falsely designated as crew team recruits at the University of Southern California. The case sparked national outrage and became one of the most high-profile chapters of the scandal. Both pleaded guilty in 2020. Loughlin served two months in prison, paid a $150,000 fine, and completed 100 hours of community service. Giannulli received a stiffer penalty: five months behind bars, a $250,000 fine, and 250 hours of community service. The fallout was swift. Loughlin was dropped from Hallmark Channel projects, her acting career stalled, and the family became a lightning rod for criticism over privilege, wealth, and fairness in higher education. Giannulli, who had already stepped away from the day-to-day operations of his clothing brand, saw his reputation in the fashion industry further tarnished.
Daughters in the Public Eye
Through it all, their daughters were thrust into the spotlight. Olivia Jade, who had built a YouTube and Instagram following, faced intense backlash. She lost sponsorships with brands like Sephora and TRESemmé and temporarily left social media before slowly returning to her platforms. She later addressed the scandal in interviews, including a widely viewed appearance on Red Table Talk. Isabella Rose, who had aspirations in acting and modeling, chose a different path by staying largely silent and keeping a lower profile, avoiding the wave of media scrutiny her sister endured.
Life After Prison and Career Rebuilds
Following their prison terms, Loughlin and Giannulli attempted to rebuild their lives and careers. Loughlin gradually returned to acting, appearing in TV projects including a spinoff of When Calls the Heart. While she regained some professional footing, her public image never fully recovered from the scandal. Giannulli has stayed mostly out of the spotlight, maintaining a quieter lifestyle and focusing on personal pursuits. His fashion brand Mossimo, once a staple of affordable retail fashion in the 1990s and early 2000s, had already declined in visibility before the scandal.
Why They Split
While the couple remained united in the immediate aftermath of the scandal and prison sentences, reports indicate that the long-term stress weighed heavily on their relationship. Friends told E! News that while there was no single breaking point, years of pressure eroded their bond. The separation is described as amicable, with both parties focused on moving forward and supporting their daughters as adults. Neither Loughlin nor Giannulli has issued a public statement about the breakup, keeping the details private.
Looking Ahead
For Loughlin, the split marks another turning point in a career and personal life defined by resilience and reinvention. Her slow re-entry into Hollywood shows she remains committed to working, though her image as “America’s TV aunt” has long been replaced by the shadow of the admissions scandal. For Giannulli, the separation closes one of the most defining relationships of his life. Though his career in fashion peaked decades ago, he remains tied to the legacy of Mossimo, a brand that once sold in Target stores nationwide. Their nearly 28-year marriage, shaped by success, family, scandal, and ultimately separation, reflects how public crises can shift private lives. The end of their union underscores how deeply the admissions scandal reverberated — not only across higher education and celebrity culture but also inside the walls of their own home.
