A Weight Lifted: Kristin Cavallari Opens Up About Cutting Ties With Her Father—‘The Best Decision I’ve Ever Made’

The reality star gets candid about family estrangement, healing, and choosing peace over pain—even when it means saying goodbye to a parent.

For Kristin Cavallari, the hardest choices often lead to the greatest freedom.

In a raw and revealing interview with People, the 38-year-old TV personality and entrepreneur didn’t mince words when discussing her decision to cut her father out of her life—a choice she calls “the best decision I’ve ever made.”

“Honestly, and this might sound messed up to some people, but it’s the best decision I’ve ever made,” Cavallari confessed. “Such a weight has been lifted from me. There’s not one day where I miss him.”

The Laguna Beach alum explained that the estrangement came after “35 years of buildup”—years of emotional turbulence, narcissistic behavior, and, ultimately, a final boundary crossed with her three children: sons Camden, 12, and Jaxon, 11, and daughter Saylor, 9.

“He crossed the boundary with my kids and wouldn’t apologize,” she said. “Like, you’re just gaslighting me. I don’t have time for that anymore.”

The Breaking Point

Cavallari first spoke about the rift on her podcast, Let’s Be Honest, where she revealed her father’s pattern of belittling her as a child—only to later praise her when it “benefited him.”

“Now, as an adult looking back, it was when it benefited you and made you look good,” she told psychologist Dr. Sherrie Campbell.

But the final straw came when his behavior extended to her children. For Cavallari, protecting them—and herself—was non-negotiable.

“If someone’s not bringing you joy, if people are only bringing you hurt and sadness and anger, what is the point?” she said. “Even if it’s a parent, life’s too short.”

Healing and Breaking Cycles

The Very Cavallari star didn’t just walk away—she did the work.

On Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast, she reflected on how her relationship with her father mirrored her marriage to ex-husband Jay Cutler. “I ended up marrying my dad,” she admitted. “I was repeating a pattern.”

But divorce became a catalyst for change. Over the past five years, Cavallari has focused on breaking generational cycles—not just for herself, but for her kids.

“I’ve really taken the time to get my s— together so that I don’t then make the same mistake,” she said.

Choosing Peace Over Obligation

Family estrangement remains a taboo topic, often met with judgment—especially when it involves a parent. But Cavallari’s message is clear: No relationship is worth your peace.

“It was the last thing I needed to do in my healing journey,” she said.

Now, free from the weight of a toxic relationship, she’s embracing life on her own terms—proving that sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is walk away.

And for Kristin Cavallari? There’s no looking back.