Jennie Garth, Peter Facinelli Split: Divorce Was Facinelli's Idea

Jennie Garth has admitted that her soon-to-be ex, Peter Facinelli, initiated their divorce.

"I was very resistant," the 39-year-old star told People in an interview posted to the magazine's website Wednesday. "I didn't want it to happen. It took me some time to come to peace with it."

UPDATE: Facinelli filed divorce docs Wednesday, citing "irreconcilable differences," TMZ reports. Facinelli has requested joint physical and legal custody of the couple's three daughters, Luca, 14, Lola, 9 and Fiona, 5. Garth responded to the petition by filing docs of her own, requesting her last name be changed from Facinelli to Garth and also requesting joint physical and legal custody of their children.

Garth told People that spending time apart in 2010 weighed heavily on the couple's 11-year marriage. During that time, Garth and the couple's three daughters, Luca, 14, Lola, 9 and Fiona, 5, moved to the family's Santa Ynez Valley, Calif., ranch house, while Facinelli, 38, filmed the "Twilight" series in Vancouver and the Showtime drama "Nurse Jackie" in New York.

"He would do everything he could to fly back every weekend," Garth said. "[But] it took a real toll on our marriage."

Garth's split from Facinelli will likely be covered in her new reality series, "Jennie Garth: A Little Bit Country." The show, which premiers April 20 on CMT, will document Garth and her daughters' move from Hollywood to their ranch. Facinelli will not appear in the show, according to an earlier report by People.

Garth, whose first marriage to Daniel Clark ended after two years in 1996, wed Facinelli in January 2001. Garth and Facinelli announced their breakup on March 13. A day later, the pair released a statement denying "hurtful" allegations that cheating had played a part in their split.

Check out our slideshow of 90210 splits here:

RATE IT!   |  

VOTE

CURRENT TOP 5 PICK YOUR OWN TOP 5

USERS WHO VOTED

NEW! CREATE YOUR OWN SLIDESHOW

Comments

[Kathleen Dipaolo]

12:12 AM on 05/13/2012

I do feel badly for her or any man or woman who wants to remain married when their partner wants out. but.....such is the nature of relationships and they will always come and go. Nothing lasts forever. It is clear that she was in the dark for a long time about her husband's true feelings. Really sad as in her video she seems so "unjaded" for a hollywood actress....you would have thought she'd almost expect this kind of thing to happen with a sucessful actor as a husband. Theyre not usually your best bet when it comes to sustaining anything.

[natal plum]

09:36 PM on 04/01/2012

Whoever these people are we now know that the husband guy initiated proceedings. Oh BTW who ARE these people?

[Alexandra Spinner]

09:13 PM on 04/01/2012

ANNNNND everyone wants to be the NEXT the BIG THING in Hollywood???

Looks enchanting. What's remarkable about THIS couple was Facinelli's career was nooooo
where prior to Twilight.

What a big LITTLE head will do...

[LkeToRead]

08:28 PM on 04/01/2012

Could these two PLEASE do their divorce in private without trashing each other in the press. We do not want another Christie Brinkley and whatshisface divorce fiasco. Oh wait, Jennie has a reality show coming up....well no wonder.

[aearthling59]

07:16 PM on 04/01/2012

Another selfish couple. We have three kids, but, its all about me.

[nton1stdte]

07:41 PM on 04/01/2012

Your response was so foolish!!! Do you think the kids can't tell when their parents are
unhappy?? Staying together "for the kids", just means EVERYBODY in the house will
eventually be full of doom and gloom. If there is a chance the parents can work it out,
and rekindle the love, then yes....otherwise, part ways, and at least be cordial for the
kids. Kids are not stupid, they know.

[aearthling59]

09:39 PM on 04/01/2012

The kids didn't ask to be born. If these selfish two can't work out their problems they need to go to a marriage counselor at least til the kids are 18. They are unhappy> 2 fn bad. Sleep in separate bedrooms, you made those kids you give them two parents.

[a2948]

09:54 PM on 04/01/2012

You are wrong. Kids suffer very much, and guess what, they suffer for the rest of their lives. I would bet 10 to 1 you are a woman, and if I am wrong, I offer a sincere apology now.

[LkeToRead]

08:38 PM on 04/01/2012

I agree. Their three children are old enough to read. Jennie and her soon to be ex need to stop giving interviews about the divorce to People magazine and the media in general.

[thinklogical]

06:39 PM on 04/01/2012

I can't see how anyone would divorce that beautiful woman, but if two people are not ment to be, they are not ment to be.

[Babaykid]

10:05 PM on 04/01/2012

I can't see how anyone would divorce that handsome man, I'll take Peter anyday.
They are a nice looking couple, they look so good together but like you said if two
people not meant to be, they are not meant to be.

[hoodoomon80]

05:23 PM on 04/01/2012

NO it's HOO?..LOL

[hoodoomon80]

05:22 PM on 04/01/2012

WHO?

[jeantopete]

05:17 PM on 04/01/2012

In Single sites there are thousands of men and women who are looking for the RIGHT ONE. As to the married couples? They got married for a reason - and that reason for some reason got lost in their reason to stay married and work at giving instead of getting. Our #1 priority when we marry is that person we married. But when one person wants out, then of course it's pretty much a done deal. It is very sad that so many of us fail at our relationships instead of seeking out the reasons for our not wanting to be married any longer to someone we feel we no longer care for.

[Cesa Stein]

04:32 PM on 04/01/2012

I am getting pret-ty tired of Jennie Garth's whining. Maybe we are getting insight as to my her husband wanted out.

[fpwillson]

04:22 PM on 04/01/2012

Who are these two people and why do I care?

[tkns]

12:38 AM on 04/01/2012

She is the one throwing barbs and he is being silent . Classy of him and crassy of her.

[cherkobak]

06:26 PM on 04/01/2012

He is cheating on her and she is very hurt that is why she is not speaking kindly and besides who will be stuck with the kids all the time, surly not classy him!

[tkns]

08:42 PM on 04/01/2012

Says who. Nowhere is cheating being alleged.

[lensamy]

02:22 PM on 03/31/2012

Who knows what was really happening behind close doors. People fall out of love all the time and I guess thats ok too. They are young and can move on while offering their daughters the opportunity to grow happy.

[vcrozas]

05:14 PM on 04/01/2012

Yep in a split home, divided holidays , step mom step dad, blended family, step siblings and hey if that doesn't work out you can always get more steps, and then there are the half bro's and sis's ya can visit...it sounds like an ideal childhood. Parents come first.

[a2948]

09:56 PM on 04/01/2012

I like your opinion!

[crimminy]

11:04 PM on 03/30/2012

I wonder where the ranch is located? I clicked on the link, and there was a picture of Jenny. Her face looks different - almost unnatural and frozen. It looks like botox has struck again, and at only 39 years old....

[rewith85man]

06:47 PM on 03/30/2012

Something like this may explain the reason for interracial dating/marriage. If you cannot find someone to be or stay committed to you, then look for another person from a different race, culture, etc.

[kbella]

02:31 PM on 04/01/2012

What on earth are you talking about?

[BMWRedheadLaw]

10:53 PM on 07/23/2012

ROFL

i was asking the same thing rofl

adios

Adore mi jennie hermosa garth, muy hermosa.very beautiful only late thirties,
almost early forties,NOT OLD, just a older lady now still young older lady and life is too short 2 whine,so i say just cry,get it all out chica,we love you Jen, your going to be just fine.adore her.

him? he is a cutie pie,look older now IMO,and his career,never did quite take off
as her career has,for so long,and i am almost sure,he will feasibly regret losing such a beauty,stability,casa,and REAL Amor,by such a fascinating woman,she get better with age.

adios
Night all

[SophiaFiat]

04:32 PM on 04/01/2012

Whaaaat?

[Alexandra Spinner]

09:16 PM on 04/01/2012

MOOOORE Whaaaaaaaat???