Tori Spelling admits she misfactored her kids into her relationship with Dean McDermott.
The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum, who officially divorced from her ex in June 2023, recently shared why she stayed with him for longer than she would have on behalf of their kids Liam, 17, Stella, 16, Hattie, 13, Finn, 12, and Beau, 7.
“On my part, at least, the want of kids,” Tori explained on a Dec. 10 episode of the Misspelling podcast, “just always wanting their parents together I think kept me from making—what was outwardly a better decision for them than what they saw between two partners.”
While Tori said she thought she was making a choice for the best of her kids, it didn’t appear that way in hindsight.
“My parents were married over 25 years, up until my dad passed,” she said of Candy Spelling and the late producer Aaron Spelling. “I saw a family always together, and so it was different and I always thought that, as bad as things might be between my partner and myself, it’s better to have their dad in the house, than in a different residence.”
She added, “I think that kept me in the relationship far too long, and it ultimately—I feel—did a disservice to my kids.”
Still, it wasn’t only Tori’s decision to maintain her marriage with Dean.
“I think he and I both were in a place where we might have separated or divorced before Beau was born,” she added. “But we worked on our relationship, stayed together and I’ll never regret not leaving then. I’m sure he wouldn’t either because we wouldn’t have had Beau.”
Ultimately, Tori is happy she and Dean have gone their separate ways, but as a parent, she does notice the impact of divorce.
“There’s still times where I’m like, ‘Oh gosh, it would be so nice to have that extra set of hands,’” she said, before emphasizing that the state of her marriage was “rough” for her kids to see, “It was very disjointing.”
Take a look at the way they were through their family album…
Festive Fam
Tori and Dean's kids Liam, Stella, Hattie, Finn and Beau enjoyed a visit to Santa's Secret Workshop in 2017.
Spooky Season
The family had a scary good time at a Halloween celebration in 2019.
Giddy Up
Tori and Dean took their daughter Stella and son Liam to the Bony Pony Ranch in California in 2009.
Ice to Meet You
The family hit the ice rink in 2013.
Summer Squad
With school out at the time, Tori and Dean had some summer fun with their children at the premiere of Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation in 2018.
Story Time
Dean and Liam sat down to read Tori's Uncharted TerriTORI during its 2010 release.
Hit the Stage
Stella and Liam got a taste of the spotlight—literally!—when they joined their parents onstage at a Yo Gabba Gabba Live! show in 2011.
Santa's Little Helpers
Tori and Dean brought their kids to meet Santa Claus in 2014.
Blended Family
Dean's son Jack from his marriage to Mary Jo Eustace joined the family for Christmas celebrations in 2015.
Best Choice
The crew rolled up in style to the 2019 Teen Choice Awards in August 2019.
Welcome to Mommywood
Tori and Dean's oldest kids Liam and Stella were on hand to celebrate the release of the actress' Mommywood book 1in 2009.
One Cool Baby
Little Hattie looked so cool in her shades at the release of her mom 2012 book celebraTORI.
'Tis the Season
Stella, Beau and Hattie helped spread holiday cheer with their parents at a disco-themed Christmas party in 2019.
Next Level Outing
The family attends the Hollywood premiere of Jumanji: The Next Level in2019.