Kelly Rutherford shares update on her ‘quiet’ life in Monaco

Nearly a decade after the end of her bitter, headline-grabbing custody battle, Kelly Rutherford appears to be enjoying her time away from the spotlight.

The “Gossip Girl” actress gave fans an update on her “very quiet” life in Monaco during an interview with Travel + Leisure published on Monday. Your comments were short but meaningful.

“It’s actually pretty peaceful,” Rutherford told the magazine while attending the 2024 Monte-Carlo Television Festival. “It’s the opposite of what everyone thinks, at least for me. It’s a place where you can come and just be quiet.”

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

A native of Kentucky, Rutherford is best known for her portrayal of Lily van der Woodsen, the mother of Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively), in the teen drama series “Gossip Girl,” which ran from 2007 to 2012.

However, three years after “Gossip Girl” aired, Rutherford was caught in the middle of the media storm when a judge awarded her ex-husband Daniel Giersch sole custody of their two children, Hermés and Helena.

Giersch, a German citizen, was barred from returning to the United States because his work visa was revoked before the verdict. At one point during the court battle, Rutherford prevented her children from boarding a plane to Monaco after a six-week visit to the United States, prompting Giersch to accuse her of kidnapping. When her legal fees mounted, she filed for bankruptcy.

In recent years, Rutherford has focused primarily on non-Hollywood projects, although she never officially retired from acting and still maintains a residence in the United States. According to IMDb, her most recent appearances include supporting roles in “Dynasty” and the TV movie “All My Husband’s Wives” as well as in the French series “Escort Boys.”

In February, Rutherford told People that she and her children had enjoyed a “great relationship” despite their turbulent past.

“I mean, a lot of people haven’t gone through what I’ve gone through, but they still have challenging relationships with their children,” she said. “But at the same time you heal, you grow. Look at the lessons learned. You look at how your children grew up and how well they are doing and you are grateful for that.”

As for her everyday life in Monaco, she told Travel + Leisure this week that it’s mostly relaxed.

“I just walk the dogs, spend time with the kids and run errands,” she said. “If there’s a gallery opening or something like that, I just go and check it out. But for me it is above all a quiet time here.”