In a recent television appearance, prominent fashion designer Rachel Zoe opened up about the dissolution of her long-term marriage, attributing the split to a fundamental shift in her partner’s character. Zoe, who was married for 26 years, suggested that the end of the relationship stemmed from a natural, if painful, divergence in personal growth.
Reflecting on a partnership that began when she was a teenager, the designer noted that while she once believed people remain fundamentally the same, her experience proved otherwise. “Ultimately, people grow together, or they grow apart,” she stated. She emphasized the importance of accepting a partner’s evolution, even when it leads in separate directions, adding that one can only control their own reactions, not the choices of another.
The conversation also touched on her surprising return to television through a reality series, a venture she admitted undertaking with little preparation. Zoe described entering the experience without prior knowledge of the show’s dynamics, intending to be authentic while navigating unfamiliar social terrain.
Her motivation for participating, she explained, is rooted in a desire to empower other women. Zoe highlighted financial and social independence as pillars of her current strength and happiness. She expressed a commitment to supporting women who feel trapped in difficult situations, whether by restrictive prenuptial agreements, unhappy marriages, or financial dependence that complicates leaving.
Zoe and her former husband, Rodger Berman, announced their separation in late 2024 after more than three decades together. The divorce was formally filed last year. The former couple share two children.