Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkozy’s Relationship: The Way They Were

Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD/Shutterstock

Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkozy's Relationship: The Way They Were

Ending as quietly as it began? Mary-Kate Olsen initiated divorce proceedings with her husband, Olivier Sarkozy, in April 2020 after five years of marriage, which the couple kept relatively private. Us Weekly confirmed in May 2012 that the former actress and the banker were dating, and in February 2014, Us broke the news of the pair’s engagement. They went on to tie the knot in a small ceremony in November 2015. During their marriage, Olsen and Sarkozy shared a New York City townhouse with his children, Julien and Margot. They even considered expanding their family. “They definitely want a baby and have been trying,” a source told Us in November 2017. As the fashion designer and her twin, Ashley Olsen, retreated from the spotlight, she and the France native made rare public appearances, from basketball games to parties to equestrian competitions, and sprinkled in a bit of PDA here and there. [jwplayer AreLUhJa] Mary-Kate and Sarkozy received some backlash due to their 16-year age difference, which she commented on in October 2012. “Everyone has an opinion,” she told WSJ. Magazine at the time. “I find it’s better to focus on what’s in front of you and to keep putting one foot in front of the other.” The former child star took things slowly with her future husband, too. A source revealed in March 2013 that he wanted “to lock her down for life,” adding: “He calls her ‘smart as a whip’ and says she’s mature for her age.” The insider noted that she was “making him wait” to propose at the time. “Mary-Kate wants to give it more time,” the source said. “She’s not in any rush.” In fact, the Full House alum turned down Sarkozy at first. “He tried [to propose] about a year ago, and she wasn’t ready,” an insider told Us in March 2014. “She didn’t need to be wined and dined. She wanted to make sure he would be good to her.” News of the twosome’s split broke in May 2020 after she signed a divorce petition the month prior. Scroll down to revisit the highlights of Mary-Kate and Sarkozy’s relationship.

Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD/Shutterstock

Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkozy's Relationship: The Way They Were

Ending as quietly as it began? Mary-Kate Olsen initiated divorce proceedings with her husband, Olivier Sarkozy, in April 2020 after five years of marriage, which the couple kept relatively private. Us Weekly confirmed in May 2012 that the former actress and the banker were dating, and in February 2014, Us broke the news of the pair’s engagement. They went on to tie the knot in a small ceremony in November 2015. During their marriage, Olsen and Sarkozy shared a New York City townhouse with his children, Julien and Margot. They even considered expanding their family. “They definitely want a baby and have been trying,” a source told Us in November 2017. As the fashion designer and her twin, Ashley Olsen, retreated from the spotlight, she and the France native made rare public appearances, from basketball games to parties to equestrian competitions, and sprinkled in a bit of PDA here and there. [jwplayer AreLUhJa] Mary-Kate and Sarkozy received some backlash due to their 16-year age difference, which she commented on in October 2012. “Everyone has an opinion,” she told WSJ. Magazine at the time. “I find it’s better to focus on what’s in front of you and to keep putting one foot in front of the other.” The former child star took things slowly with her future husband, too. A source revealed in March 2013 that he wanted “to lock her down for life,” adding: “He calls her ‘smart as a whip’ and says she’s mature for her age.” The insider noted that she was “making him wait” to propose at the time. “Mary-Kate wants to give it more time,” the source said. “She’s not in any rush.” In fact, the Full House alum turned down Sarkozy at first. “He tried [to propose] about a year ago, and she wasn’t ready,” an insider told Us in March 2014. “She didn’t need to be wined and dined. She wanted to make sure he would be good to her.” News of the twosome’s split broke in May 2020 after she signed a divorce petition the month prior. Scroll down to revisit the highlights of Mary-Kate and Sarkozy’s relationship.

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May 2012

Us confirmed the couple were dating. “MK is constantly complaining about boys not being mature enough for her,” a source said of the former French president's brother. “She got the kids out of her system.”

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November 2012

Mary-Kate attended a New York Knicks game with Sarkozy, where a photo of him kissing her on the forehead became famous for her awkward reaction to the PDA.

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February 2014

Us exclusively reported that the duo were engaged after nearly two years together.

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May 2014

Mary-Kate opened up about her wedding plans to WWD. “I’m, like, not even there yet,” she said of her dress. “I think it may be a matter of getting five or six or making two or three and being stressed out. That seems kind of far away. We’ll take one step at a time.”

Credit: INFphoto.com

November 2015

The Passport to Paris star wed Sarkozy in Manhattan in November 2015. A source described the ceremony, which took place at a private residence with approximately 50 guests in attendance, as “small and lovely.”

Credit: Matt Agudo/INFphoto.com

March 2017

Mary-Kate shared a peek at her private life in an interview with Net-a-Porter’s The Edit. “I think [Ashley and I are] lucky. [Working hard] comes quite naturally for us. We don’t need so much time to sit and think and ponder,” she explained. “But then I have a husband, two stepkids and a life; I have to go home and cook dinner. I ride horses on the weekends. You find the thing that helps you relax, and if you don’t have it, you have to look for it. Or you get burned out, and then you’re not productive.”

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May 2019

Less than a year before their split, the It Takes Two actress was spotted kissing Sarkozy at an equestrian event in Spain.

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May 2020

Us confirmed that Mary-Kate signed a divorce petition in April 2020. However, New York City courts were not accepting filings at the time due to the coronavirus pandemic. She sought an emergency order as a result to end the marriage.