Kelly Rutherford's 2 Children: Get to Know Hermés and Helena
- Celebrity
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- UPDATED OCTOBER 05, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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Kelly Rutherford has expressed her gratitude for the precious moments she’s spent watching her two children, Hermés and Helena, grow up. The Gossip Girl actress faced a tumultuous six-year custody battle following her 2009 split from her ex-husband, German businessman Daniel Giersch. The couple welcomed their son, Hermés, in 2006, just a year after their wedding, and their daughter, Helena, in 2009. When Kelly was only three months pregnant with Helena, she filed for divorce, sparking a legal saga that would last years. In 2015, a Monaco judge granted Giersch full custody, ruling that the children would live with him full-time in Monaco. Since then, Rutherford has stepped back from the spotlight, relocating to Monaco to be near her kids. By early 2024, she began to make her return, attending fashion week events and reconnecting with the public eye. Reflecting on the time since the final decision, Rutherford shared with in February 2024, “Yes, it was a challenging time. It was a heartbreaking time. But I focus on the good most of the time, I really do. I’m very thankful for where we are. I have a great relationship with my kids.” From Helena helping with her mom’s famous mirror selfies to the legal battles they endured, here’s everything to know about Kelly Rutherford’s children.
Rutherford Was Pregnant with Helena When She and Giersch Split
Rutherford and Giersch tied the knot in 2006, and their first child, Hermés Gustaf Daniel Giersch, was born on Oct. 18, 2006. The family enjoyed public outings, including walking a runway at Palm Beach Fashion Week in 2008 and attending a toy unveiling at Times Square’s Toys R Us that same year. However, by late 2008, Rutherford was pregnant again with their second child. At just three months pregnant, she filed for divorce. Helena Grace Rutherford Giersch was born on June 8, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Hermés and Helena Grew Up Primarily in Monaco
Though both Hermés and Helena were born in the U.S. and initially lived in Los Angeles, things changed in 2012 when Giersch’s work visa was revoked, forcing him to leave the country. The children, who were just 5 and 2 at the time, moved to Monaco to live with their father. A judge later ruled that Rutherford’s schedule was flexible enough for frequent visits to Monaco, allowing her to maintain a close relationship with them. According to a source, the children thrived in their new environment, enjoying tennis at the Monte Carlo Country Club, snorkeling, and spending quality time with their grandparents.
The Custody Battle That Changed Everything
Even before Giersch’s work visa was revoked, the custody battle between Rutherford and Giersch was highly contentious. The legal proceedings continued after the children’s move to Monaco, and Rutherford’s mounting legal fees led her to file for bankruptcy in 2013. Though she could only see her children for a few days each year, Rutherford continued to fight for their well-being, emphasizing that she always wanted them to have a strong relationship with their father. In 2015, a judge allowed the children to spend the summer in the U.S. with Rutherford, but when the summer ended, she refused to send them back, believing it wasn’t lawful. By the end of the year, a Monaco judge granted Giersch full custody and banned Rutherford from bringing the children to the U.S.
