Gavin Newsom & Kimberly Guilfoyle: From the New Kennedys to Opposite Sides
San Francisco's glamorous mayor and his prosecutor wife were called 'the new Kennedys' before their marriage collapsed across two coasts
Key Facts
What Happened
Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle were San Francisco's golden couple. He was the young, ambitious mayor who legalized same-sex marriage in 2004. She was a former lingerie model turned prosecutor who had tried homicide cases in the DA's office. The media dubbed them 'the new Kennedys.' They married in December 2001 and seemed destined for political greatness together.
But only three days after Newsom was sworn in as mayor, Guilfoyle flew to New York to start a new career as a television host on Court TV. The bicoastal marriage, with Guilfoyle in Manhattan and Newsom running San Francisco, proved unsustainable. They announced their separation in January 2005, citing 'the demands of our respective careers.' The divorce was finalized on February 28, 2006.
The split was notable for its civility. They shared a single lawyer, with Guilfoyle calling the process 'amicable' and saying they would remain close. There were no children to complicate matters. The financial settlement was kept private. However, in January 2007, Newsom admitted to having had an affair with his campaign manager's wife in 2005, during the final months of his marriage to Guilfoyle.
The most remarkable twist came years later when Guilfoyle began dating Donald Trump Jr. in 2018 and became a prominent figure in Republican politics, while Newsom became California's Democratic governor. The former spouses ended up on opposite sides of America's deepest political divide, with Guilfoyle serving as a Trump campaign fundraiser and eventually being nominated as Ambassador to Greece by President Trump in 2025. Their divergent paths became a metaphor for America's political polarization.
Legal Breakdown: Amicable Divorce Without Children
Sharing an Attorney in Amicable Divorce
Newsom and Guilfoyle used a single attorney for their divorce. While this can save money and reduce conflict, it raises potential conflicts of interest. The attorney technically represents only one party and serves as a mediator for the other. This approach works best when there are no children, limited contested assets, and genuine goodwill.
No-Children Divorce Simplicity
Without children, divorce is dramatically simpler. There are no custody battles, no child support calculations, no co-parenting disputes, and no decade-long post-divorce modifications. The Newsom-Guilfoyle divorce was completed in about a year precisely because there were no parental obligations to negotiate.
Career-Driven Separation
Bicoastal marriages where both spouses prioritize careers are increasingly common grounds for divorce. While not a 'fault' in the legal sense, irreconcilable career commitments can constitute the 'irreconcilable differences' required for no-fault divorce in California.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Amicable divorce is genuinely possible when both parties are reasonable and there are no children or major asset disputes. It saves enormous time and money.
- →Sharing an attorney works only when the power dynamic is balanced and both parties are honest. If there is any imbalance, each side needs independent counsel.
- →A career that requires living in a different city from your spouse is a serious marital stress. Address it early, before resentment builds.
- →People change and grow apart politically, personally, and professionally. An amicable divorce allows both parties to pursue their authentic paths without bitterness.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.