Gossip GirlAlum Kelly Rutherford Opens Up About Her 'Very Peaceful' Life in Monaco with Her Kids

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty

Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty

Kelly Rutherfordis sharing an inside look at her life out of the spotlight in Monaco.

TheGossip Girlalum, 55, opened up about the “quiet time” she experiences at her home base in the European city-state during an interview withTravel + Leisure.

She continues, “In the wintertime, it’s very quiet, very private, and very peaceful. It’s like the Hamptons in the summer versus the Hamptons in the winter.”

Kelly Rutherford/Instagram

While travelers are known to flock to Monaco for luxury getaways or to attend events like theFormula One Grand Prix, Rutherford enjoys a slower lifestyle there.

“I just walk the dogs, hang out with the kids, and run errands,” she says, referring to her son Hermés, 17, and daughter Helena, 15. “If there’s a gallery opening or something like that, I’ll go just to see. But it’s mostly just quiet time here for me.”

In February, Rutherford spoke to PEOPLE about her home in Monaco and how itserves as a tranquil placefor her to spend time with her kids following thelengthy custody battle she had with her ex, German businessman Daniel Giersch.

“Sometimes we just need to retreat and be with our kids and just heal and take time for ourselves,” Rutherford told PEOPLE from her home at the time.

Kelly Rutherford with her kids in July 2015.Sonia Moskowitz/WireImage

Sonia Moskowitz/WireImage

The situation got complicated when the judge declared the kids shouldlive full-time with Giersch in Monacoafter his work visa got revoked, barring him from returning to the United States. The judge told Rutherford that she would have to move to Monaco or make frequent visits in order to see her kids.

The actress spent nearly $2 million in legal fees, and later declared bankruptcy, in order to fight for full custody of her kids in thesix-year legal battle. She wasaccused of abductionat one point after she didn’t send her kids back to Monaco following a six-week visit.

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Rutherford reflected on the tumultuous legal battle while speaking with PEOPLE, and revealed how she’s in a much better place nearly 15 years after it all started.

“Yes, it was a challenging time. It was a heartbreaking time. But I focus on the good most of the time, I really do,” she said. “I’m very thankful of where we are. I have a great relationship with my kids.”

The whole city cheers the Monaco Grand Prix.Mark Thompson/Getty.

Mark Thompson/Getty.

In herTravel + Leisureinterview, she also shared her favorite things about Monaco that will enchant visitors.

“Grace Kelly really created this beautiful feeling here,” she said. “She invited all the Hollywood people to Monaco early on and made it very glamorous.”

These days, she says, “It’s still very old school, traditional, private, beautiful, but it’s also now becoming sort of a cultural center. There’s the feeling like it’s having another new energy.”

Read the full story on travelandleisure.com.

source: people.com