Jennie Garth: Light Dimmed During Divorce Pain

Jennie Garth has openly shared the emotional toll of her divorce from Peter Facinelli, which concluded in 2013. In April 2026, she revealed to People magazine that her "light really dimming" during that period, feeling the negative impact of grief and anger. The actress recounted spending years "tormented" by the experience, which affected all aspects of her life.

In 2024, Garth invited Facinelli onto her "I Choose Me" podcast for a candid discussion about their divorce and coparenting journey. She expressed surprise at how openly Facinelli spoke about their past, noting it was the first time he had verbalized his experiences. Garth acknowledged that coparenting had been very difficult, despite efforts to present a seamless facade.

Garth also touched upon her marriage to Dave Abrams, which began in 2015. The couple faced challenges, including a difficult IVF journey where attempts to conceive repeatedly failed. In April 2026, Garth learned of Abrams' plans to file for divorce through a TMZ article, after their separation which lasted nearly a year before reconciliation in 2019.

Reflecting on her experiences, Garth told People in April 2026 that "people-pleasing" was at the core of her struggles. She believes finding clarity on personal life goals facilitates easier navigation through difficulties. She previously shared with Us in 2022 that acceptance and understanding individual journeys were vital, especially given the age difference in her marriage.