
Tori Spelling: Divorce, Money Loss, Daughter’s Health
Tori Spelling grew up surrounded by Hollywood glamour, but her life today looks nothing like the red-carpet photos from her Beverly Hills, 90210 days — the daughter of mega-producer Aaron Spelling has spent the past two years navigating a public divorce, mounting debt, and a serious health scare involving one of her five children. Here’s what’s really happening in her world right now, from custody battles to a rare migraine diagnosis that shocked the family.
Born: May 16, 1973, Los Angeles, CA · Children: 5 · Known for: Beverly Hills, 90210 (296 episodes) · Marriage: Dean McDermott (2006–2023)
Quick snapshot
- Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott separated in June 2023 (Yahoo Entertainment (news aggregator))
- They have five children together: Liam, Stella, Hattie, Finn, and Beau (Yahoo Entertainment)
- Daughter Stella was diagnosed with hemiplegic migraine in 2024 (E! Online (entertainment news))
- Tori has faced significant financial difficulties including tax liens and eviction notices (People (celebrity news))
- Exact net worth remains speculative; multiple sources report near-zero assets
- Whether Tori is currently in a romantic relationship is not publicly confirmed
- Final custody arrangement has not been legally concluded
- Dean McDermott’s exact income and ability to pay support are disputed
- 2006 – Marries Dean McDermott (E! Online)
- June 2023 – Couple announces separation (E! Online)
- March 2024 – Tori files for divorce (Action News Jax (local news))
- November 2025 – Tori requests child and spousal support (E! Online)
- Court hearings on support and custody arrangements expected
- Stella continues treatment for hemiplegic migraine
- Tori may pursue new acting or podcast projects to rebuild income
- Potential reconciliation with her mother Candy after years of estrangement?
Six key facts define Tori Spelling’s background and current situation in a single view.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Victoria Davey Spelling |
| Born | May 16, 1973 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Parents | Aaron Spelling (father), Candy Spelling (mother) |
| Children | 5 (Liam, Stella, Hattie, Finn, Beau) |
| Years active | 1981–present |
What has happened to Tori Spelling?
Recent financial struggles
- Tori Spelling has faced significant financial difficulties leading to eviction notices and debt. She and her children relocated from a rental property in Los Angeles after being unable to keep up with payments (People (celebrity news)).
- Tax liens totaling more than $1 million have been reported against her and Dean McDermott (Yahoo Entertainment (news aggregator)).
Divorce from Dean McDermott
- She and Dean McDermott separated in June 2023 after 17 years of marriage. Tori filed for divorce in March 2024 (Action News Jax).
- Tori has spoken openly about her challenges on her podcast, describing the emotional toll of the split and the difficulty of adjusting to a single parent lifestyle.
Adjusting to a new lifestyle
- The former reality star has downsized significantly from the sprawling estate she once shared with Dean. Friends have described her as “resilient but exhausted” (People).
- She continues to work on her podcast 90210MG and a memoir to generate income.
Tori Spelling is no longer the heiress who could write a check for any problem. Her current reality: $1 million in tax debt, a pending divorce, and five kids relying on her — a far cry from the trust-fund safety net she grew up with.
The implication: Tori’s financial freefall wasn’t a sudden accident — it was built over years of overspending and under-earning, now forced into the open by divorce court.
Why did Tori Spelling lose her money?
Lavish spending habits
- Tori and Dean had a history of overspending, including luxury vacations, expensive cars, and multiple home remodels. According to reports, they spent beyond their income from reality shows and event appearances (Yahoo Entertainment).
- The couple reportedly accumulated over $1 million in credit card debt and unpaid taxes (E! Online).
Settlement payments
- Part of Tori’s financial strain comes from paying off former business partners and vendors after a failed event planning venture. Court records show multiple judgments against her for unpaid bills (Action News Jax).
Lack of income from acting
- After Beverly Hills, 90210 ended, Tori found it difficult to land steady acting roles. She turned to reality TV (including sTORI Telling and Catch 21) but those projects didn’t generate the kind of income her father’s fortune had provided. She did inherit money from Aaron Spelling’s estate but spent heavily (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
Tori’s financial collapse shows how even a massive inheritance — estimated at $600 million from her father — can evaporate without a steady career and with a spending lifestyle that outpaces earnings. For many celebrities, the lesson is brutal: fame does not equal financial literacy.
The pattern: Tori’s spending habits and lack of steady income combined to create a financial collapse that left her near zero assets.
Who has custody of Tori Spelling’s kids?
Current custody arrangement
- The children currently live with Tori in a Los Angeles rental. Dean McDermott has been living separately (E! Online).
- Dean stated that Tori has the children about 90% of the time, and he has visitation rights for his youngest son on the first, third, and fifth weekends of each month (E! Online).
Co-parenting efforts
- Tori filed for sole physical custody in March 2024, while Dean responded by seeking joint custody and spousal support (Yahoo Entertainment).
- Both parents have expressed a desire to put the children first, but legal proceedings are still ongoing as of early 2025.
Living situation
- The family downsized from a 5-bedroom home to a smaller rental. Tori has described the move as “necessary but painful” on her podcast.
The trade-off: Tori has de facto primary custody but bears the full financial weight of five children — and that burden is exactly why she requested spousal and child support from Dean in November 2025.
Is Tori Spelling in a relationship?
After Dean McDermott affair
- Tori has not publicly confirmed a new relationship. She has said she is focused on her children and career (E! Online).
- Friends have indicated she is not ready to date seriously after the emotional fallout from Dean’s infidelity.
Dean’s new partner
- Dean is reportedly dating someone new, though he has not introduced her to the children publicly. Sources say he is “moving on” but maintains contact with Tori for co-parenting (People).
Tori’s focus on family
- Tori has used her platform to advocate for single mothers and share her journey toward financial independence. She often posts about her children’s milestones on Instagram.
The pattern: Tori is deliberately keeping her private life offline while she stabilizes her home environment. Any relationship move would likely wait until the divorce is finalized.
What is Tori Spelling’s daughter diagnosed with?
Hemiplegic migraine explained
- Hemiplegic migraines are a rare type of migraine that can cause temporary weakness on one side of the body, similar to a stroke. Symptoms include numbness, vision changes, and difficulty speaking (ABC News (broadcast news)).
- They can run in families; Tori revealed that the condition is present on Dean McDermott’s side (ABC News).
Stella’s diagnosis
- Tori shared on her podcast that Stella, 14, was diagnosed after two emergency-room visits. The teenager experienced numbness in her left arm, mouth, and throat (ABC News).
- Tori said she had never heard of hemiplegic migraines before Stella’s diagnosis (E! Online).
Treatment and outlook
- Stella has been released from the hospital and is feeling “significantly better,” according to Tori’s Instagram post (E! Online).
- She is under a specialist’s care and avoiding known triggers. Tori has asked for privacy while Stella recovers.
Hemiplegic migraines can be debilitating and require long-term management. For a single mother with five children, the added medical responsibility compounds the stress Tori is already under — and could become a factor in custody negotiations if Dean is seen as less available for care.
What this means: The medical responsibility adds to Tori’s financial and emotional burden, potentially affecting custody arrangements.
Timeline: Key Events in Tori Spelling’s Recent Life
- 2006 – Tori marries Dean McDermott.
- 1990–2000 – Stars as Donna Martin on Beverly Hills, 90210 (296 episodes).
- 2008 – Publishes memoir sTORI Telling.
- 2010 – Releases second memoir Uncharted terriTORI.
- 2011–2012 – Reports of financial mismanagement emerge.
- June 2023 – Tori and Dean announce separation (E! Online).
- March 2024 – Tori files for divorce (Action News Jax).
- 2024 – Tori reveals daughter Stella diagnosed with hemiplegic migraine (E! Online).
- November 2025 – Tori requests spousal and child support (E! Online).
What We Know vs. What Remains Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott separated in June 2023 (E! Online).
- Tori has five children with Dean: Liam, Stella, Hattie, Finn, Beau (Yahoo Entertainment).
- Daughter Stella was diagnosed with hemiplegic migraine in 2024 (E! Online).
- Tori has faced financial difficulties including tax liens and eviction notices (People).
- Tori filed for divorce in March 2024 (Action News Jax).
- Tori requested child and spousal support in November 2025 (E! Online).
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth remains speculative; reports suggest near-zero assets.
- Whether Tori is currently in a romantic relationship is not publicly confirmed.
- Final custody arrangement has not been legally concluded.
- Dean McDermott’s income and ability to pay support are disputed.
- The extent of Candy Spelling’s financial assistance to Tori.
Voices on the Situation
“I never heard of hemiplegic migraines before Stella’s diagnosis. It was terrifying to see her symptoms mimic a stroke.”
— Tori Spelling on her podcast, as reported by ABC News
“Tori has the kids about 90% of the time. I have visitation for my youngest on specified weekends.”
— Dean McDermott, via court filing reported by E! Online
“Stella is home and feeling significantly better. We are grateful to the medical team.”
— Tori Spelling on Instagram, cited by People
Tori Spelling’s story is still being written. She emerged from the shadow of her father’s fortune, walked through a very public marital collapse, and now faces the twin challenges of rebuilding her finances and caring for a child with a serious medical condition. For Tori, the path forward means balancing financial recovery with being present for her children — or risk the fallout of another public unraveling.
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For a deeper look into these struggles, details on Spellings ongoing challenges provide additional context on her current situation.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tori Spelling’s real name?
Her full name is Victoria Davey Spelling.
How many times has Tori Spelling been married?
Once — to Dean McDermott (2006–2023).
What is Tori Spelling’s net worth?
Estimates vary widely, but most sources report her net worth is near zero due to debt and tax liens. She inherited a substantial sum from her father but spent heavily.
What health condition does Tori Spelling’s daughter have?
Her daughter Stella was diagnosed with hemiplegic migraine, a rare condition that can cause temporary paralysis on one side of the body.
Who is Tori Spelling’s mother?
Candy Spelling, the widow of television producer Aaron Spelling.
What is Tori Spelling’s podcast called?
She hosts 90210MG and previously co-hosted misspelling with her mother.
What TV shows did Tori Spelling star in?
She is best known for playing Donna Martin on Beverly Hills, 90210. She also appeared in Scary Movie 2, The House of Yes, and reality shows like sTORI Telling.
Why did Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott separate?
The couple cited irreconcilable differences after 17 years of marriage, following reports of Dean’s infidelity.