Why did Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling Split? Reasons Revealed
by Aishwarya R
Updated Nov 17, 2023
Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling Relationship
Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling's relationship has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, marked by personal struggles, infidelity, financial challenges, and public scrutiny. The timeline reveals a series of events that have tested the couple's commitment to each other over the years.
The relationship started with controversy as Dean, a Canadian actor, left his first wife, actress Mary Jo Eustace, to be with Tori, who was also married at the time to screenwriter Charlie Shanian. The couple faced public criticism for their affair, and both went through divorces from their respective spouses.
Despite the initial turmoil, Dean and Tori got married in 2006, and the couple seemed happy. They embarked on a reality TV journey with the show "Tori & Dean: Inn Love," which followed their life as they ran a bed and breakfast. However, financial troubles loomed as Tori grappled with a smaller-than-expected inheritance from her father's estate.
The relationship faced another major test in 2013 when reports emerged of Dean's infidelity with Emily Goodhand. Tori and Dean addressed these issues in the reality series "True Tori," which documented their efforts to work through the aftermath of the affair. Dean admitted to cheating and entered rehab to address personal issues.
Financial difficulties continued to plague the couple, with tax liens and lawsuits adding to their challenges. Despite these struggles, Tori expressed her commitment to the marriage in 2019, stating that they were happier than ever.
In 2022, rumors of a "trial separation" circulated, with friends speculating that their children and financial considerations were keeping them together. However, the couple denied divorce rumors, emphasizing their commitment to working on their marriage through couples counseling.
The latest twist in their relationship came in June 2023 when Dean posted a split announcement on Instagram, stating that after 18 years together, they had decided to go their separate ways. However, the post was later deleted, and sources claimed that they were not getting a divorce, suggesting that they were still committed to each other and working on their marriage.
The contradictory statements and the ongoing challenges in their relationship underscore the complexities and public scrutiny that have characterized Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling's journey as a couple.
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Why did Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling Split?
Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling's split is attributed to a combination of factors, as revealed by McDermott in a candid interview. McDermott disclosed that his struggle with addiction, longstanding financial challenges, and unconventional living arrangements contributed to the breakdown of their 18-year marriage.
One significant factor in the deterioration of their relationship was McDermott's battle with alcoholism. He admitted to using alcohol and prescription drugs to cope with personal struggles, leading to a destructive pattern of behavior that strained the marriage. The impact of his addiction on the family was severe, with McDermott describing instances of rage and his spouse and children being "petrified."
The couple's well-documented financial struggles also played a role in their separation. McDermott mentioned that the stress of financial issues, along with his addiction, created a toxic environment. The burden of their financial woes, compounded by public scrutiny and their reality TV show, "True Tori," added additional strain to their marriage.
Furthermore, McDermott highlighted an unusual living situation as a contributing factor. He mentioned that Spelling's choice to keep barn animals, including a pig, multiple dogs, and a chicken, in their shared bedroom created discomfort for him. This led to a decision to establish a boundary and move to a separate room, further isolating the couple.
The couple's relationship evolved into more of a roommate dynamic, with minimal shared meals and increased isolation. The co-dependence and communication challenges made it difficult for Spelling to express the impact of McDermott's behavior on their relationship.
The Instagram post in June, where McDermott initially announced the split, was made while he was under the influence of alcohol. This public revelation prompted Spelling to encourage McDermott to seek treatment again, leading to his entry into rehab.
While McDermott expressed regret and accountability for the damage caused to Spelling, the combination of addiction, financial stress, unconventional living arrangements, and communication breakdown ultimately contributed to the decision to part ways. Despite the challenges, McDermott emphasized his enduring love for Spelling and his desire for her happiness.
Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling Children
Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling share five children together, and their family life has been both publicly celebrated and faced challenges. Here's a brief overview of each of their children:
Liam McDermott (born March 2007)
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott's first child together, Liam, recently celebrated his 16th birthday. Tori expressed deep sentiments in a social media post, highlighting how becoming a mother to Liam changed her life for the better.
Stella McDermott (born June 2008)
The couple's first daughter, Stella, turned 15. She has faced health challenges, including being diagnosed with a rare type of migraine, hemiplegic migraine, which can result in weakness on one side of the body.
Hattie McDermott (born October 2011)
Hattie, the second little girl in the McDermott family, celebrated her 11th birthday with a Halloween-themed party. Tori shared behind-the-scenes videos and a multi-generational picture featuring herself, her mother Candy, and Hattie.
Finn McDermott (born August 2012)
Finn, born after a challenging pregnancy that required Tori to be hospitalized due to placenta previa, turned 10. Tori referred to Finn as her "miracle baby" and celebrated his birthday with a "Stranger Things"-themed party.
Beau McDermott (born March 2017)
The youngest member of the McDermott family, Beau, recently celebrated his 6th birthday. Tori expressed her love for Beau, calling him "the light and soul of our entire family." She also mentioned that Beau was born with one kidney.
The McDermott family has been open about their personal struggles, including health issues and financial difficulties. Tori Spelling has been vocal about the challenges her children faced, such as ongoing health problems due to mold in their home. Additionally, she has emphasized the importance of protecting her children's privacy, calling out paparazzi intrusion into their lives, particularly around Beau's preschool.
Despite the publicized ups and downs in Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott's relationship, their commitment to their children remains evident, with Tori frequently sharing moments from their family life on social media.
Who is Dean McDermott?
Dean McDermott is a Canadian actor and reality television personality, best known for his association with his wife, actress Tori Spelling. Beyond his television career, McDermott has showcased his versatility by taking on various roles in films and TV series.
In the realm of reality television, McDermott gained prominence as part of the celebrity couple with Tori Spelling. The couple's personal life has been featured in reality shows, providing viewers with insights into their relationship dynamics. Notably, they co-starred in the reality series "True Tori," which documented the aftermath of McDermott's highly publicized affair.
Apart from reality television, McDermott has showcased his acting talent in both film and TV. Some of his notable works include roles in films such as "Open Range," "Irvine Welsh's Ecstasy," and "Against the Ropes." On television, he played Constable Renfield Turnbull on the TV series "Due South" and took on guest and recurring roles in series like "Earth: Final Conflict," "Tracker," "1-800-Missing," "NCIS," and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
In the culinary world, Dean McDermott is a professionally trained chef. His culinary skills were highlighted when he joined "Team Guy" on the second season of Food Network's "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off" in 2013, emerging as the winner. Following this success, he transitioned to hosting and became the face of "Chopped Canada" on Food Network Canada in January 2014. McDermott hosted the show for two seasons, demonstrating his passion for cooking and culinary arts.
Beyond his on-screen endeavors, McDermott released a cookbook titled "The Gourmet Dad." In this cookbook, he aimed to make elaborate and intimidating dishes more appealing to children, showcasing his commitment to both culinary excellence and family life. Dean McDermott's career reflects a diverse range of talents, from acting and reality television to culinary arts. His experiences in these different realms have contributed to his public persona as a multifaceted personality.
Name
Dean McDermott
Gender
Male
Date of Birth
November 16, 1966
Place of Birth
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Age
56
Occupation
Actor
Years Active
1988–present
Spouses
Children
7
Dean McDermott Family and Personal Life
Dean McDermott was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to parents David and Doreen McDermott. He grew up with three sisters named Dale, Dawn, and Dana. McDermott completed his education at North Albion Collegiate Institute in Rexdale, Ontario.
In terms of his personal life, McDermott's first marriage was to actress Mary Jo Eustace. The couple had a son named Jack Montgomery, born on October 10, 1998. However, the marriage faced challenges, and McDermott eventually divorced Eustace.
In July 2005, McDermott's life took a significant turn during the filming of the Lifetime TV movie "Mind Over Murder" in Ottawa. It was during this project that he crossed paths with actress Tori Spelling. At that time, Spelling was married to writer-actor Charlie Shanian. McDermott and Spelling embarked on an affair the night they met, leading to the eventual end of McDermott's marriage to Eustace.
Following the divorce from Eustace, McDermott and Spelling pursued their relationship. McDermott was granted joint custody of his son Jack from his previous marriage. Notably, McDermott and Eustace had been in the process of adopting a baby girl named Lola Eustace (born July 7, 2004) before their separation. Despite not moving forward with the adoption, recent Instagram posts indicate that Spelling refers to Lola as her "stepdaughter," and Lola, in turn, refers to McDermott as her "dad."
Dean McDermott's early and personal life is marked by his upbringing in Toronto, his first marriage to Mary Jo Eustace, and the significant changes that occurred during the filming of "Mind Over Murder," leading to his relationship with Tori Spelling and the blending of their families.
Who is Tori Spelling?
Tori Spelling is an American actress and author born on May 16, 1973. She gained prominence for her first major role as Donna Martin on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, starting in 1990. Throughout her career, Spelling has been involved in various made-for-television films, including A Friend to Die For (1994), A Carol Christmas (2003), The Mistle-Tones (2012), both versions of Mother, May I Sleep with Danger? (1996 and 2016), and The Last Sharknado: It's About Time (2018).
In addition to her television work, Tori Spelling has starred in several independent films such as The House of Yes (1997), Trick (1999), Scary Movie 2 (2001), Cthulhu (2007), Kiss the Bride (2007), and Izzie's Way Home (2016). She reprised her iconic role as Donna Martin in the spin-off of Beverly Hills, 90210, titled BH90210, in 2019.
Beyond her acting career, Tori Spelling is also an accomplished author. Her autobiography, titled "Stori Telling," debuted at the top of the New York Times Best Seller list and was recognized as the best celebrity autobiography of 2009.
Name
Victoria Davey Spelling
Gender
Female
Born
May 16, 1973 (age 50)
Born Place
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
Actress, author, television personality
Years Active
1982–present
Television
Beverly Hills, 90210
Spouses
Charlie Shanian (m. 2004; div. 2006) and Dean McDermott (m. 2006; sep. 2023)
Children
5
Parents
Aaron Spelling (father) and Candy Spelling (mother)
Relatives
Randy Spelling (brother)
Tori Spelling Family and Early Life
Tori Spelling was born in Los Angeles, California, into a prominent and affluent family. Her parents are Candy Spelling (née Marer), born in 1945, and the late Aaron Spelling (1923–2006), a renowned television and film producer. Tori has a younger brother named Randy, who was formerly an actor but transitioned to work as a life coach by 2009.
The Spelling family's roots trace back to Jewish ancestry, with ancestors originating from Russia and Poland. Tori's middle name, Davey, is a tribute to her paternal grandfather, David.
She attended Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, California, and later graduated from the prestigious private school, Harvard-Westlake School, in 1991. Tori Spelling grew up in a family deeply connected to the entertainment industry, given her father's prolific career as a producer in television and film. Her early life was marked by the influence of Hollywood and the unique experiences associated with being part of a well-known family in the industry.
Why did Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling Split - FAQs
Dean McDermott attributed the split to a combination of factors, including his struggle with addiction and the challenges their marriage faced over the years.
Yes, according to McDermott, his battle with addiction played a substantial role in the breakdown of their relationship. He revealed that alcohol and drug addiction led to destructive behavior and strained their marriage.
Yes, financial difficulties were a significant stressor on their marriage. McDermott mentioned the longstanding financial challenges as one of the factors that weighed heavily on their relationship.
McDermott spent the summer in rehab and is now sober. The decision to seek treatment came after he announced the separation on Instagram. Tori Spelling encouraged him to get help, and McDermott acknowledged the need for change.
Apart from addiction and financial issues, McDermott highlighted lifestyle differences, including Spelling's choice to keep barn animals in their shared bedroom, as contributing factors to the separation. The couple had reportedly become more like roommates than spouses over the years.