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Jennie Garth just revealed heartbreaking details about her 2012 split from Peter Facinelli. The Beverly Hills, 90210 star opens up in her new memoir about hitting rock bottom after the divorce, including a stomach pump incident and rehab stay that changed everything.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Memoir release: April 14, 2026 for “I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose, and Embracing Reinvention”
- The incident: Garth self-medicated with alcohol and pills to the point of needing hospital stomach pumping
- Rehab center: Canyon Ranch helped her recover after the medical emergency
- Timeline: Split announced March 2012, divorce finalized 2013, memoir releases April 2026
A Marriage That Ended in Shock and Pain
Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli were one of Hollywood’s beloved couples. They met on the set of the TV movie “An Unfinished Affair” in 1995 and tied the knot in January 2001. The pair shared three daughters during their 12-year marriage. But in March 2012, everything changed when Facinelli blindsided Garth by asking for a divorce.
According to Garth, the Twilight star’s request came unexpectedly. “The ground that had been cracking and shifting finally split open,” Garth wrote in her previous memoir. The emotional trauma of that moment set off a destructive spiral.
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Hitting Rock Bottom: Self-Medication and Desperation
In her new memoir “I Choose Me,” Garth details how she coped with the devastating divorce through dangerous self-medicating. She describes drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and consuming pills to numb the pain. The 54-year-old actress reached a critical low point one night when she consumed so much that she required emergency medical intervention.
“I noticed my light really dimming,” Garth told People Magazine. “I wasn’t putting off good vibes. I could see it in the mirror. I could look at the negative impact that that kind of grief and anger was having on me.”
The Turning Point: Recovery and Redemption
Garth checked into the prestigious Canyon Ranch rehab center after the stomach-pumping incident. This facility became a crucial part of her healing journey. During her stay, she began processing her emotions and rebuilding her life from the ground up. The actress realized she needed to let go of the anger and resentment toward Facinelli.
| Detail | Information |
| Book Title | “I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose, and Embracing Reinvention” |
| Release Date | April 14, 2026 |
| Rehab Center | Canyon Ranch |
| Years of Marriage | 12 years (2001-2013) |
“There was a weird switch where one day I just said, ‘I don’t want to carry this anymore. It’s impacting my relationships and how I feel about myself. I’ve got to let it go. I’ve got to forgive him.'”
Jennie Garth, discussing her healing process in an interview with People Magazine
From Darkness to “I Choose Me”: Rebuilding a Life
Garth credits therapy and self-reflection with helping her emerge from the darkness. She realized that choosing herself had to become a priority. At age 50, her iconic “Beverly Hills, 90210” line “I choose me” suddenly resonated with new meaning. The actress channeled this empowerment into her memoir and her current marriage to Dave Abrams, whom she married in 2015.
Today, Garth and Facinelli have made peace. They co-parent their three daughters successfully and have even helped each other in times of crisis. When Los Angeles wildfires struck in January 2025, Facinelli welcomed Garth and her current husband into his home. This demonstrates their growth from a painful split into mature friendship.
What Can Readers Learn From Garth’s Journey Today?
Jennie Garth’s memoir arrives at a vital moment in her healing journey. The book functions as both a deeply personal account and an inspirational guide for others facing similar struggles. By openly discussing addiction, depression, and the power of forgiveness, Garth hopes to help readers understand that rock bottom doesn’t define you. The 54-year-old demonstrates that with proper help, self-reflection, and time, anyone can rebuild their life.
“It all comes down to people-pleasing,” Garth reflected. “Once you really get to the core of what you want for your life, that’s when everything seems to get easier.” Her story proves that the choice to prioritize yourself isn’t selfish, it’s survival.
Sources
- People Magazine – Exclusive interview with Jennie Garth about her memoir “I Choose Me”
- Page Six – Coverage of Garth’s stomach pumping and rehab stay details from new memoir
- E! News – Jennie Garth’s candid reflections on self-medicating and divorce aftermath
