Kelly Rutherford moved to Monaco to be close to her children after losing her bid to bring her children to the U.S. in 2015
"Gossip Girl" star Kelly Rutherford made a rare appearance with one of her children in Paris this week, after a multi-year and multimillion-dollar international custody battle.
Rutherford and her son, Hermés, were photographed at the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Monday.
They were also photographed at several other fashion events throughout Paris Fashion Week in France.
Kelly Rutherford and Hermés Gustaf Daniel Giersch attend the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 27, 2025 in Paris, France. (Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
ACTRESS KELLY RUTHERFORD CAN'T YET BRING CHILDREN BACK TO US
Rutherford is also mother to a daughter, Helena, with her ex-husband, German businessman, Daniel Giersch.
The events mark the first time in a decade that she has posed with either of her children in public after moving to Monaco following an ugly custody battle with Giersch that began in 2010.
When they initially split, a joint 50-50 custody agreement was granted by a judge, per People magazine.
Rutherford has been living in Monaco for the past few years to be closer to her children. (Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images for Patou)
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But Giersch’s work visa was revoked, barring him from returning to the U.S., and the judge declared the children should live full-time with their father in Monaco, with Rutherford having to visit regularly or move entirely.
The "Melrose Place" star continued an intense and expensive legal battle for custody.
She filed for bankruptcy in 2013, telling E! News, "Every penny from ‘Gossip Girl,’ my pension, my stocks has been spent fighting for my children."
Rutherford and her ex-husband, Daniel Giersch engaged in a public and international custody battle. (John Sciulli/WireImage)
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At one point, Rutherford was accused of abducting her children after she did not send them back to Monaco following a six-week visit in the U.S.
She lost custody of the kids, per People, though the judge ruled that she and Giersch had to make decisions regarding them jointly.
The outlet reported she spent $2 million in legal fees over the years, and has gone on to live in Monaco to spend time with Hermés, and Helena.
Rutherford and children Helena and Hermés in 2015. (Sonia Moskowitz/WireImage)
'GOSSIP GIRL' ACTRESS KELLY RUTHERFORD SPEAKS AFTER LOSING CUSTODY RULING
"Sometimes we just need to retreat and be with our kids and just heal and take time for ourselves," she told People in a 2024 interview.
"My kids are getting older, and they're sort of like, 'Okay, get on with your life.’ They're teenagers now, and they've got their friends and their stuff," she continued. "So my day to day has recently been more about me and my dogs, working and traveling."
Rutherford told People in 2024, "Sometimes we just need to retreat and be with our kids and just heal and take time for ourselves." (Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images)
Rutherford reflected on the dramatic custody battle, saying, "Yes, it was a challenging time. It was a heartbreaking time. But I focus on the good most of the time, I really do. I'm very thankful of where we are. I have a great relationship with my kids."
She added, "We were never completely separated."
