Nanny affairs have become a notorious part of celebrity scandals, often taking the public by surprise. Whether it’s a heated divorce or an unexpected revelation, the involvement of a nanny in a high-profile relationship brings a unique layer of drama. From Hollywood icons to reality TV stars, the stories of affairs with nannies have captivated audiences worldwide. These scandals are more than just gossip—they often reveal cracks in seemingly perfect marriages and offer a glimpse into the turbulent personal lives of some of the most famous faces. Here, we explore 14 celebrities whose relationships were forever changed by nanny affairs.
1. Arnold Schwarzenegger: The Housekeeper’s Secret
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s marriage to Maria Shriver came to an unexpected end in 2011 after he revealed that he had fathered a child, Joseph Baena, with the family housekeeper, Mildred Baena. The affair started in 1997, but Baena kept the child a secret for years, with Schwarzenegger finally admitting the truth in therapy with his wife.
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The revelation rocked the public, especially given Schwarzenegger’s prominent political career and public image. The scandal overshadowed his marriage, and while Shriver and Schwarzenegger eventually divorced, their family and the public were left to process the long-hidden affair that shocked Hollywood and beyond.
2. Gavin Rossdale: The Nanny Affair
In 2015, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale’s marriage ended amidst allegations that Rossdale had been having a secret affair with their nanny, Mindy Mann, for several years. The affair reportedly began when Stefani was unaware and continued right under her nose, leading to the couple’s eventual divorce.
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The scandal came to light when explicit photos between Rossdale and Mann were discovered on the family’s iPad. Though neither Rossdale nor Stefani directly addressed the affair, the rumors surrounding the nanny’s role in their marriage’s collapse made headlines for years.
3. Joe Giudice: The Nanny Cheating Rumors
Joe Giudice’s marriage to Teresa Giudice, stars of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, was clouded with cheating rumors, especially concerning the couple’s nanny. In 2013, reports surfaced that Joe had an affair with their children’s nanny, leaving Teresa devastated. Despite their eventual divorce in 2020, Joe has always denied the affair.
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Teresa, however, has been open about her doubts regarding Joe’s denials, even revealing in a 2024 podcast that she still doesn’t believe him. Their complicated relationship and the unresolved affair rumors continued to haunt their post-divorce dynamic, leaving fans divided about the truth behind the nanny scandal.
4. Ben Affleck: Nanny Affair or False Allegation?
Ben Affleck’s split from Jennifer Garner in 2015 quickly sparked rumors about an affair with the family nanny, Christine Ouzounian. Allegedly, their affair began months before the separation was publicly announced. However, Affleck and his representatives denied these claims, labeling them as untrue. Garner also dismissed the nanny’s involvement in their divorce during a 2016 interview.
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The scandal surrounding Affleck and Ouzounian made headlines, with tabloid speculation fueling the drama. Despite the rumors, both Affleck and Garner insisted that their separation had nothing to do with the nanny, but the public couldn’t help but wonder about the truth behind the affair.
5. Mick Jagger: Nanny Affair on Tour
Mick Jagger’s marriage to model Jerry Hall was filled with rumors of infidelity, including an alleged affair with Claire Houseman, a nanny hired to care for their children during the Rolling Stones’ tours. Jagger and Hall were together from 1977 until 1999, and their marriage was frequently under scrutiny due to the legendary rock star’s numerous affairs.
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The affair with Houseman was just one of many that reportedly marred their relationship. Despite the ongoing infidelity rumors, the couple remained together for over two decades before eventually separating, with Jagger’s relationship with the nanny adding another layer to their troubled marriage.
6. Jude Law: The Nanny Scandal
In 2005, Jude Law’s engagement to actress Sienna Miller fell apart when it was revealed that he had an affair with their nanny, Daisy Wright. Wright, who had been hired to care for Law’s children with ex-wife Sadie Frost, came forward with shocking details of their fling. Wright even claimed she was caught in bed with Law by his own children.
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Law quickly issued a public apology for his actions, expressing regret over the affair. Despite the scandal, he and Miller briefly reconciled, though they ultimately split for good in 2011. The nanny affair became a defining moment in their relationship, making headlines for months.
7. Robin Williams: Nanny Love Story
Robin Williams’ first marriage to Valerie Velardi ended in 1988, with rumors circulating that his affair with their son’s nanny, Marsha Garces, played a role in the split. However, Velardi later clarified in the 2018 documentary Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind that their relationship had already fallen apart before Garces came into the picture.
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Williams and Garces eventually married in 1989, and they had two children together. Despite the initial controversy, they enjoyed a lengthy marriage that lasted 19 years before their eventual divorce. The nanny affair was part of a broader narrative surrounding Williams’ personal life, but he and Garces built a family together, defying early public judgment.
8. Joe Piscopo: Nanny Romance
In 1988, Joe Piscopo’s marriage to Nancy Jones ended, and soon after, he began a relationship with Kimberly Driscoll, who had been his son’s nanny. The couple had three children together before separating in 2006. Piscopo’s relationship with Driscoll drew attention due to the circumstances of their connection, but the couple’s relationship lasted for years despite the unconventional beginning.
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Piscopo’s personal life remained a subject of public interest, particularly his on-and-off relationships after his separation from Driscoll. While the nanny romance raised some eyebrows, Piscopo’s ongoing relationships with assistants and others kept him in the media spotlight for years.
9. The-Dream: Assistant Affair
The-Dream’s marriage to singer Christina Milian ended abruptly in 2009, just months after they tied the knot. Rumors swirled about an affair with his personal assistant, which later became a source of public scandal when intimate photos surfaced. The-Dream admitted to misleading the public about the state of his marriage, but it was clear that infidelity had played a significant role in the breakdown of his relationship.
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The affair with his assistant was a public betrayal that ultimately ended the brief marriage. The-Dream’s apology didn’t stop the media from continuing to cover the scandal, as fans and media outlets alike dissected the details of the affair and its impact on Milian and The-Dream’s relationship.
10. Stephen Belafonte: Nanny and Abuse Allegations
In 2017, Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B, filed a restraining order against her ex-husband, Stephen Belafonte, accusing him of abuse. The accusations included claims that Belafonte had an affair with the couple’s nanny, Loraine Gilles, and even impregnated her before allegedly forcing her to have an abortion.
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Later, Gilles filed a defamation lawsuit against Brown, alleging that the singer had pressured her into a physical relationship. The legal battles between Brown, Belafonte, and Gilles continued, with the nanny affair playing a central role in the drama. As of 2021, Belafonte and Gilles were seen in contact, adding more fuel to the ongoing controversy.
11. Tarek El Moussa: The Nanny Dating Rumors
After Tarek El Moussa’s 2016 split from his ex-wife, Christina Haack, rumors surfaced that he had an affair with a nanny. However, it was later clarified that the nanny was someone Tarek had hired to help with his children post-separation, not the nanny they had employed for years.
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While reports of the affair were heavily discussed in the media, it was determined that there was no infidelity at play. Despite this clarification, the speculation surrounding Tarek’s relationship with the nanny lingered for a while, further complicating his public image during the divorce.
12. Craig Schelske: Nanny Affair Lawsuit
In 2005, country music star Sara Evans accused her husband, Craig Schelske, of cheating with their nanny in her divorce filing. The nanny denied the affair and countered with a defamation lawsuit, demanding $3 million in damages. The controversy and legal battles further complicated the public breakup of the couple.
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The lawsuit and affair allegations kept the media focused on Evans and Schelske, with the defamation lawsuit only adding to the drama. Despite the denial from the nanny, the affair rumors remained in the public eye, contributing to the ongoing scrutiny of their relationship.
13. Jon Gosselin: Nanny Affair Claims
In 2009, Jon Gosselin’s divorce from Kate Gosselin became even more complicated when his former nanny, Stephanie Santoro, claimed she had slept with him during her brief time working for the family. Santoro described intimate moments with Jon and their private conversations, adding fuel to the fire surrounding their separation.
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Though Jon denied the affair, the rumors only intensified as the couple’s divorce unfolded. The allegations, combined with the public’s fascination with the Gosselin family, made the nanny affair a key element in the media frenzy surrounding their divorce.
14. Ethan Hawke: Nanny Affair Rumors Debunked
Ethan Hawke’s relationship with Ryan Shawhughes raised eyebrows due to her previous role as the nanny for his children with ex-wife Uma Thurman. However, Hawke denies any infidelity during his seven-year marriage to Thurman, explaining that Shawhughes worked as a nanny briefly and then went back to school. He insists there was never anything inappropriate during that time.
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After his divorce from Thurman in 2005, Hawke and Shawhughes reconnected, and their relationship blossomed naturally. Hawke clarified that by the time they began dating, Shawhughes had not worked for the family for a long time. Their romance was not linked to any scandal, as the couple eventually married in 2008, proving that the rumors were just that—rumors.
Reflection on Scandalous Affairs
The shock value of nanny affairs in celebrity circles can’t be underestimated. In many cases, these affairs were not just about the betrayal of a partner but also the intrusion of a private figure into the most intimate parts of family life. The public’s obsession with these scandals sheds light on the vulnerability of even the most adored celebrities, exposing their deepest secrets. These stories, filled with rumors, denials, and public apologies, reveal the complex nature of relationships in the limelight.
For many of the celebrities involved, the consequences of these affairs extended beyond the personal and into their careers. Scandals like these often lead to irreparable damage to reputations and can fuel the media’s scrutiny. In the end, the stories of nanny affairs remind us that even the most glamorous lives are fraught with complexities, and no one is immune to the fallout from infidelity, no matter their fame or fortune.
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