Tori Spelling Admits Staying with Ex-Husband Dean McDermott Was a 'Disservice' to Their 5 Children

Mar. 15, 2025

Stella Spelling, Tori Spelling, Beau Spelling, Dean McDermott, Finn Spelling, and Hattie Spelling attend the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children, Stand for Kids Gala.Photo:Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images

Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images

Tori Spellingis opening up about her former marriage toDean McDermott.On the Tuesday, Dec. 10 episode of her podcastMisspelling,Spelling, 51, admitted that while she initially stayed with her ex-husband, 58, for the sake of their children, she has come to learn staying as long as she did was a “disservice” to them. The former couple, who divorced in June 2023, share five kids:Liam Aaron, 17,Stella Doreen, 16,Hattie Margaret, 13,Finn Davey, 12, andBeau Dean, 7.“On my part, at least, the want of kids, just always wanting their parents together, I think kept me from making what was outwardly a better decision for them than what they saw between two partners," theBeverly Hills, 90210alum began to explain.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Tori Spelling and kids.Tori Spelling/InstagramAt the time, Spelling only had parentsCandyandAaron Spelling’s relationship to look to for guidance, which she admitted ultimately steered her in the wrong direction.“My parents were married over 25 years, up until my dad passed,” she said. “I saw a family always together, and so it was different and I always thought that as bad as things might be between my partner and myself, it’s better to have their dad in the house, than in a different residence.”She continued, “I think that kept me in the relationship far too long, and it ultimately, I feel, did a disservice to my kids.”The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Tori Spelling behind the scenes at Dancing with the Stars with her children.Tori Spelling/InstagramSpelling said she and McDermott were having relationship issues before they welcomed any children, but the proud mom says she will “never regret” working through those beginning challenges.“I think he and I both were in a place where we might have separated or divorced before Beau was born,” she said. “But we worked on our relationship, stayed together and I’ll never regret not leaving then. I’m sure he wouldn’t either because we wouldn’t have had Beau.”Still, Spelling admitted, “There’s still times where I’m like, ‘Oh gosh, it would be so nice to have that extra set of hands.'“However, she knows just how “rough” their relationship was for her kids to see. “It was very disjointing.”

Tori Spellingis opening up about her former marriage toDean McDermott.

On the Tuesday, Dec. 10 episode of her podcastMisspelling,Spelling, 51, admitted that while she initially stayed with her ex-husband, 58, for the sake of their children, she has come to learn staying as long as she did was a “disservice” to them. The former couple, who divorced in June 2023, share five kids:Liam Aaron, 17,Stella Doreen, 16,Hattie Margaret, 13,Finn Davey, 12, andBeau Dean, 7.

“On my part, at least, the want of kids, just always wanting their parents together, I think kept me from making what was outwardly a better decision for them than what they saw between two partners,” theBeverly Hills, 90210alum began to explain.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Tori Spelling and kids.Tori Spelling/Instagram

Tori Spelling/Instagram

At the time, Spelling only had parentsCandyandAaron Spelling’s relationship to look to for guidance, which she admitted ultimately steered her in the wrong direction.

“My parents were married over 25 years, up until my dad passed,” she said. “I saw a family always together, and so it was different and I always thought that as bad as things might be between my partner and myself, it’s better to have their dad in the house, than in a different residence.”

She continued, “I think that kept me in the relationship far too long, and it ultimately, I feel, did a disservice to my kids.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Tori Spelling behind the scenes at Dancing with the Stars with her children.Tori Spelling/Instagram

Spelling said she and McDermott were having relationship issues before they welcomed any children, but the proud mom says she will “never regret” working through those beginning challenges.

“I think he and I both were in a place where we might have separated or divorced before Beau was born,” she said. “But we worked on our relationship, stayed together and I’ll never regret not leaving then. I’m sure he wouldn’t either because we wouldn’t have had Beau.”

Still, Spelling admitted, “There’s still times where I’m like, ‘Oh gosh, it would be so nice to have that extra set of hands.'”

However, she knows just how “rough” their relationship was for her kids to see. “It was very disjointing.”

source: people.com