A Painful Ending to a 21-Year Marriage
During the season 14 reunion of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Erika Jayne made a bold statement about her estranged husband, Tom Girardi. When host Andy Cohen asked if she had ever considered visiting Tom, Erika, 53, replied, “I thought of visiting him — this is going to sound cold — but when he passes away.”
Erika filed for divorce in November 2020 after being married to Tom for 21 years. Just a month later, both became involved in a fraud and embezzlement scandal. Erika was cleared of legal responsibility in 2022, but the emotional toll of the ordeal remains.
Tom Girardi’s Fall From Grace
Tom Girardi, once a powerful attorney, is now facing a grim future. In August 2024, he was found guilty of stealing more than $15 million from clients. Erika told Andy, “There’s nothing to say to him. He’s not present mentally anymore.”
Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2021 and was disbarred by the California Bar later that year. He still faces additional federal charges in Chicago.
Why Their Divorce Isn’t Final Yet
Many fans have questioned why Erika and Tom are still legally married. Erika explained that her divorce attorney had recently reminded her to complete the process, but she admitted it hasn’t been a priority. “Divorcing an incompetent person? I’m not even sure how that works,” she said.
In reality, the process of ending a marriage when one spouse has a mental illness is complex. This guide on divorcing someone with dementia breaks it down.
A Silver Lining: Erika’s Bond With Her Son
Amid all the chaos, Erika says she has found something meaningful — a deeper connection with her son, Tommy Zizzo. “If I had to lose everything to gain that closeness with my child, I’ll take it,” she shared.
Tommy recently testified in A$AP Rocky’s assault trial, something Erika only discovered the night before. Still, she credits the ordeal with helping her become her true self again.
Today, Erika says she’s no longer hiding behind a broken marriage or acting out in pain. She believes the version fans are seeing now is the real her.
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