The Real Housewives of Orange County star Gina Kirschenheiter was shown tearing up about her marriage difficulties on Monday night’s episode of the show, but in real time, she is currently going through a split, after filing for divorce in April. And in two separate interviews, Gina is revealing why her marriage fell apart, if she’s planning to move back to New York, and where she currently stands with her ex today.
During the latest episode of the RHOC, Gina confided in her castmate Emily Simpson about her marital troubles.
“I’m having problems with Matt. I feel like the more time that we’re apart from each other, it’s just highlighting how different we are,” she shared.
Following that episode, Gina, 33, appeared on Watch What Happens Live on September 10, during which she opened up about her split from husband Matthew Kirschenheiter.
“I did [file for divorce],” Gina admitted. “I’ve ended the institution of marriage, but like, we will always be family. And there will never be a divide between Matt and I. And I love him dearly and he’s the father of my children.”
Host Andy Cohen then asked if there was a specific thing that happened or a breaking point, and Gina revealed the separation was simply a long time coming.
“No, it’s like death by a thousand paper cuts honestly. You know, like it just happens,” Gina explained. “We got married very young and we realized we just don’t have that connection.”
Andy also asked her if there was another woman involved when it comes to the split, and she unequivocally answered, “No.”
In a separate interview with PEOPLE, Gina, who married Matt at the age of 23, says looking back now, they simply got married too young.
“I wasn’t ready to make a decision about who I was going to spend the rest of my life with at 23,” she shared. “We made it work because we made it work. But I’m a completely different person than I was then.”
Another issue was the couple’s move to Orange County, which isolated them from their friends and family in Long Island, New York.
“On Long Island, marriage is a community thing,” explained Gina. “Your parents, your in-laws, your siblings, your friends, your family — they’re all a part of your relationship. You don’t think about breaking that up. So when we moved to California, it was like, now you only have each other. And you really have to validate that relationship and say, ‘Are we really functioning and working well? Are you really my soulmate who I want to spend the rest of my life with in that way? When we asked ourselves those questions, we discovered that we really didn’t.”
When it comes to her future plans, Gina revealed she currently has no plans to move out of Orange County. In fact, she revealed that she and Matt have now decided to take their O.C. home off the market, after listing it for $975,000 earlier this year, citing a bad real estate market. So now, the exes take turns spending time with their kids in the OC home.
She also shared that the divorce is going very smoothly, adding that Matthew continues to financially support her and their three children together — Nicholas, 6, Sienna, 4, and Luca, 2.
“He’s always going to take care of us,” she stated. “We don’t come from money, so it’s not about money. I’m not going to fight over money, it’s not worth it.”
Finally, Gina revealed she’s not ready to date yet and that she is choosing to focus on the “nine amazing years” of marriage she shared with Matt, rather than the bad times.
“Maybe the last year-and-half that wasn’t so wonderful, why focus on that stuff? I don’t want to have to hate somebody I had a bad year or two with because we realized we’re different and not meant to be together. It’s not worth it,” shared Gina.
The RHOC airs Monday nights at 9/8c on Bravo.
Photos Credit: Bravo TV/Instagram
8 comments
Really?! Smooth divorce?! You had your newest child only 2 years ago! The reality of your marriage and what really hurt you is going to smack you right when you least expect it to. No one files for a nicey nice divorce after having a new baby just 24 months prior. I smell bullcrap!
I agree.
Her soon to be ex husband is quite the hottie
I kinda love the divorcing parents who move in/out of the family home for their visitation. It may seem like something small, but having one HOME to a young child is so important. Otherwise, there’s Mom’s home and Dad’s home – but where is THEIR home?
I’m liking Gina more and more as this season goes on. If this is what we’d get with a new generation of housewives, I’m all for it!
I don’t believe for one minute that she doesn’t have help around the house … she is playing this overwhelmied young HW chasing after her kids and it’s ludicrous. Even bankrupt Dorit has 4 nannies , I’m sure Gino has one of 2 also, she’s not that broke . She has maligned her soon to be ex by continuing to insinuate that she gets zero help from him. We only have her version of events since he’s not filming and I don’t happen to find her believable
Happy Thursday ???
Gina better get a job to earn a living. Matt won’t “always be taking care of HER.”
She looks like she applies her eye makeup with s Charcoal Briquette
23 is awfully young to get married! It’s sad bc there’s 3 kids in this family. It’s a beautiful family. I hope they can salvage it however if not being civil & realistic is key! Gina needs 2expand her horizons. He’s a good looking guy & alimony is not forever!!