Tinsley Mortimer and Scott Kluth have ended their engagement, and the former Real Housewives of New York City cast member is said to be “devastated” about their split.
On Thursday, as Scott confirmed their breakup with a statement about the “difficult decision” to call off their plans to wed, an insider spoke out and revealed how Tinsley, 45, is coping with the news amid claims she was “blindsided.”
“After fourteen months of engagement, Tinsley and I have ended our relationship, and we have been living independently for the last few months,” Scott told PEOPLE in a statement on March 18. “This was an incredibly difficult decision, but it is one that I believe is best for both of us. I will always care about Tinsley and I sincerely wish her happiness and success in all that she does in the future.”
“While I understand this news will be of interest to many, I ask for privacy and understanding during this time as I continue to work on recovering emotionally from the end of our relationship,” he added.
Although Scott suggested the split was something he and Tinsley decided upon together, a source close to the couple told the magazine that the ex-RHONY star was “blindsided” by the breakup.
“This was not mutual, she was blindsided. She’s on the floor heartbroken and devastated. She left everything for him because she didn’t think he’d ever call off the engagement,” the insider said. “She trusted him that this time was going to be different.”
Scott’s statement of how long they have been living apart is a bit surprising as Tinsley wished him a happy Valentine’s Day just last month via a post on Instagram.
Tinsley and Scott began dating in February 2017 after being set up on a blind date by Tinsley’s former co-star, Carole Radziwill. Then, in November 2019, after nearly three years of on-and-off dating, they got engaged.
Months after their engagement, Tinsley officially confirmed she was leaving her role on RHONY in lieu of a new life in Chicago with her then-fiance.
“With Scott, so much has happened so fast,” she said during an episode prior to her exit. “I know that if I don’t take this moment right now, I will regret it for the rest of my life. I have to listen to myself and what I want and nobody else.”
“It’s been a great ride and I’m just so happy for where I am right now and for my future,” she added.
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live last year, Tinsley said her relationship with Scott actually improved amid the pandemic.
“I just wanted to be at home with him and just have normal [life]. And it’s been obviously beyond normal, the fact that I’m cooking and cleaning, but I’ve really impressed him which is so fun. It’s been really good,” she gushed.
While Tinsley spent time in Florida earlier this month, she confirmed last week that she was back “home” in Chicago.