Jennie Garth Keeps It Real When It Comes to Parenting! Meet the ‘BH90210’ Alum’s Children
Jennie Garth has a pretty good idea of what it takes to be a dedicated mom, but she knows parenting isn't always a walk in the park. The BH90210 alum doesn't shy away from the downsides of motherhood, and she's always keeping it real when it comes to her three children, Luca, Lola and Fiona.
Jennie shares her beloved family with her ex-husband, Peter Facinelli. The former What I Like About You star and the Twilight actor met on the set of An Unfinished Affair in 1995 and became a couple shortly after.
Before they got the chance to walk down the aisle, Jennie and Peter started a family when their first child, Luca, was born in 1997. The two later wed in January 2001, and more than a year after that, they expanded their family when their second daughter, Lola, arrived in 2002. Jennie and Peter's third and youngest kid, Fiona, made her arrival in 2006. They divorced in 2013.
Luca Bella Facinelli
Jennie's first child was born on June 29, 1997. Luca began establishing a career for herself when she was a little girl. Since making her acting debut in the 2017 short film Luna, she's appeared in Interracial, Ad Out and Your Family or Your Life. Her latest credit is in the 2020 mini-series Find a Way or Make One, per IMDb.
Jennie's eldest daughter is also quite active on Instagram, having shared tons of photos while traveling, hanging out with her friends and dabbling with photography. She's even shared a few sweet tributes for her mom, including a touching post for Jennie's birthday in April 2021. "Happy birthday," she gushed. "Aries Mama, strong, courageous and wise."
As she was experiencing parenthood and getting in the groove of raising her kids, Jennie — who divorced Peter in 2013 — was also starring on the hit sitcom Beverly Hills, 90210, which ran from 1990 to 2000. Despite her busy schedule, Jennie had no qualms about balancing her career and personal life because she never chose work over her family.
"My priority [is] my girls, No. 1," the A Time to Dance actress told Newsday in August 2013, noting she'll only say yes to TV appearances and other showbiz projects that work with her schedule. "I choose projects that I’m really passionate about."
During an honest chat on Bethenny Frankel’s "Just B" podcast in May 2024, Luca revealed that she was not initially on board for her mom to marry current husband Dave Abrams.
“They showed up at my school and were like, ‘Hey, we’re getting married,’ while I was eating my little sushi bowl that you brought me,” Jennie's eldest daughter recalled. “I was like, ‘I do not approve.’ But, you still went ahead with it. It was a really beautiful wedding, and I think you had way more perspective on everything than me at 17.”
“She just wanted to protect her mommy,” Jennie responded. “You always do. You girls are so fiercely protective of me it’s crazy, like, I wouldn’t want to be a dude walking in here trying to date or marry me!”
Lola Ray Facinelli
Jennie and Peter's second child, Lola, arrived on December 6, 2002. Like her older sister, Lola also got bit by the acting bug. So far, she has one credit in 2011's Accidentally in Love, IMDb states. She's made plenty of other appearances throughout the years, though, including a stint on Family Feud with her mama in 2017.
While the blonde beauty's Instagram account is private, it's common for fans to get a glimpse of Lola as she's always being featured on Jennie's. In February 2021, the proud mom uploaded a throwback pic with her daughters, writing, "Me and my girls."
Fiona Eve Facinelli
Jennie's youngest was born on September 30, 2006. Though she's the youngest of the star's bunch, Fiona is following in her mom and sister's footsteps and has already made her TV debut. Per IMDb, she appeared as a guest on the MasterChef series in 2019.
Fiona also has her own Instagram, but she prefers to keep it private. Fortunately, Jennie loves sharing snapshots with her girls. For Fiona's birthday in August 2020, she posted a handful of photos of her gorgeous teenager.
"I love you so so much, shmoo. You have always lit up my life with laughter and kept me on my toes," Jennie marveled. "Every moment with you has been my favorite. The hours spent in the car together for [soccer], the fearful flights, our TV show snuggles, the endless cartwheels ... even the way you make me eat things I don’t want to. Thank you for choosing me to be your momma."
In June 2024, Jennie shared that her youngest daughter had gone off to prom.
"This will be my second to last prom with my girls," she captioned a photo of Fiona in her gown. "It’s always so fun helping them to get dressed up and feeling beautiful. Enjoy every moment of the journey. It passes by so fast… ?? P.S. sorry to disappoint… I didn’t hand make Fiona’s dress this year. Maybe next year!"
While Jennie has nearly perfected parenting over the last two decades, she jokes her role as a mom has actually gotten more difficult as the years have passed. The Mystery Girls alum pointed out the differences between raising babies vs. "young adults."
"As they get to be teenagers, especially young women and young adults, it's a whole different ball game," Jennie candidly told People in May 2021. "It's like 'Psychological Parenting 101,' and it's definitely not for the faint of heart."
The Deep Thoughts From a Hollywood Blonde author — who Dave in 2015 — said there's a lot more pressure these days. Because Luca, Lola and Fiona are "doing their thing and they're becoming who they are and who they want to be," Jennie is doing everything to steer them in the "right direction."
"My job now is to just sort of keep them in the right lane," she shared. "And I'm just there to support that and kind of nudge them left and right. Because I kind of feel like my work here is done, but it's never done."
So far, it looks like Jennie has done a fabulous job!
