RHOC’s Carmella Garcia Has a Boyfriend but Never Divorced Her Husband — Here’s Why

“The Real Housewives of Orange County” newcomer Carmella Garcia has been unusually open about her complicated relationship history during season 20.

Garcia is currently dating her longtime boyfriend Danny, a general contractor she has been involved with on and off for about 10 years. At the same time, she remains legally married to former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia, despite the couple separating in 2020.

Carmella has now explained that the decision not to divorce Jeff came down largely to their four children and her determination to avoid a traditional custody arrangement.

The former couple shares daughters Presley, 18, and Faith, 14, as well as sons Jason, 17, and Jax, 15.

The RHOC Newbie Reveals Why She Never Divorced Jeff Garcia

Carmella and Jeff married in 2007 before separating more than a decade later.

During season 20 of RHOC, Carmella explained that she was unwilling to risk losing time with her children through a formal custody agreement.

“Jeff and I don’t have a custody agreement,” she said. “We share them. And if one of them needs their mom and it’s 11 o’clock at night, I’m going over to Jeff’s, and I’m picking them up. And then we spend, like, the holidays together.”

Carmella said her children were very young when she and Jeff separated, making the idea of dividing their time especially difficult for her.

“You know, in California, it’s like 50/50 custody, and I would have died,” she said. “They were three, four, five, and six, and I was unwilling to lose my children for part of that time.”

She admitted that her feelings toward Jeff were complicated at the time.

“I hated his guts, but then at a certain point you self-sacrifice,” Carmella said.

Their arrangement has allowed the family to remain closely connected. Carmella and Jeff continue sharing family time, including holidays, and maintain an unconventional living setup designed around their children.

Jeff has also moved on romantically and lives with his girlfriend. Carmella said she does not have an issue with the relationship and appreciates how Jeff’s girlfriend treats their children.

“She’s nice to my kids,” Carmella said.

Carmella Garcia Is Dating Longtime Boyfriend Danny

While Carmella remains legally married to Jeff, she has also maintained a long-running relationship with Danny.

Carmella told Bravo Insider that she and the general contractor have dated “on and off for 10 years,” although she rarely shares him on social media.

Season 20 has shown that the relationship has not always been easy.

During episode 6, Carmella revealed that Danny had been unfaithful several years earlier and admitted she still struggles with resentment over what happened.

“It’s been about four years since Danny’s infidelity,” Carmella said in a confessional. “And, admittedly, I do have a wall of resentment.”

She also made clear that she still wants the relationship to work.

“But I do love him, I do want to live life with him, I do need to know how to forgive, and not just for him, but for myself,” Carmella said. “I just have to figure out how to do it.”

Danny told Carmella that he wanted to rebuild the connection they had at the start of their relationship.

“I just want you back to where you felt like the way you did in the beginning,” he said. “I understand you can’t get there, but.”

Carmella responded that she had moved through the situation without necessarily moving past it.

“I’m not getting over it,” she said. “I made it through it, but I’m not getting over it.”

New episodes of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” air Thursdays on Bravo.

Want to know more about the RHOC newbie? Check Bravo and Cocktail’s exclusive profile on Carmella below.

About Perry Carpenter

Perry Carpenter has been covering entertainment news for more than 20 years — and yes, she absolutely has opinions about the latest Bravo casting shake-ups. Throughout her career, she has specialized in celebrity news and television, with a particular obsession for all things Bravo, "The Challenge," "Outlander," of course, Travis & Taylor, and the ever-expanding Taylor Sheridan universe. A member of the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors, Perry has built a storied freelance career covering pop culture's biggest moments and smallest Easter eggs. Her work has appeared in Showbiz Cheatsheet, Daily Express, Radar Online, and on her Muck Rack profile.

Related posts:

Meet RHOC Newbie Carmella Garcia: The Playboy Playmate, WWE Alum and Mom of 4 Ready for Drama RHOC Fans Spot Possible New Cast Member in Heather & Shannon’s TikTok RHOC: Tamra Judge Says Castmates Were Shocked After She Made a Major Season 20 Change RHOC Star Shannon Beador Reveals Tamra Judge Friendship Update and Teases Heather Dubrow Drama