Tori grew up in the family of the fabulously wealthy producer Aaron Spelling, but survived bankruptcy and betrayal.
It’s hard to believe, but on March 16, Tori Spelling, who most know for her role as Donna Martin in the youth television series Beverly Hills, 90210, turned 49 years old. And it is even harder to believe that the life of a girl who was born into one of the richest and most influential families in Hollywood did not develop in the most cloudless way. Focus collected the most interesting things about the star of the 1990s and the daughter of Hollywood mogul Tori Spelling.
Childhood and youth
Victoria Davey Spelling’s childhood really was like a fairy tale. Her father, producer Aaron Spelling, a descendant of poor immigrants from Poland, was the embodiment of the American dream.
He has produced over 70 television series, 140 films and theatrical productions. He got into the Guinness Book of Records twice – as “the most productive producer of all times and peoples” and as “the owner of the largest house in the world” (123 rooms, 3390 sq. m.).
Aaron Spelling’s famous mansion
Photo: screenshot
Tori and her younger brother Randy did grow up in a house that had a separate gift room, eight fountains, an entire wing for their mother Candy’s dressing room, and a whole museum of dolls that Candy collected. The front staircase in the lobby was inspired by the staircase from the Twelve Oaks Manor from Gone with the Wind.
Hall in Spelling’s house
Photo: Screenshot
Upon its completion, Los Angeles Times architecture critic Sam Hall Kaplan called the house one of the “worst in Hollywood”. By the way, after Spelling’s death in 2006, the house was sold to Formula 1 heiress Petra Ecclestone for $85 million. In 2016, Beyoncé and her husband intended to buy it. But then the house was owned by multi-billionaire Daryl Katz, owner of the Edmonton Oilers hockey team, and in February 2022 it was sold for $165 million. And, according to rumors, again put up for sale.
But all this happened later, and while Aaron was alive, his family led a royal lifestyle. And little Tori was never denied anything. Her father even wanted to build a zoo for her on the estate, but while it was being built, Tori was already 17 years old, so this idea was abandoned.
Tori Spelling with her father, Aaron Spelling
Photo: Instagram torispelling
She even recalled how her father gave them a fabulous Christmas with snow, which was specially brought to the estate in hot California.
Film career
Tori Spelling had a hugely successful TV career, but she was always criticized for getting a role in the super-popular Beverly Hills thanks to her father.
She studied acting and went to the audition under a false name, wanting to get the role of Andrea. But when she got the role of Donna, one of the main characters, it became clear that her father contributed to this.
Later, in her memoirs, Tory wrote that her father helped her career grow, but she herself ensured that her character became noticeable. True, the father demanded that Donna remain a virgin until the end of the series. And that’s exactly what was written in the script. But the reality is that the young actors ended up dating each other.
Brian Austin Green, Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth
“It was pretty intense,” the actress notes. She herself had affairs with Vincent Young, Brian Austin Green and Jason Priestley. But with Luke Perry, she only kissed.
“It was a summer affair. It was behind the scenes. It was our version of a summer romance. Version 90210. That’s all, and we remained great friends,” she described the affair with handsome Priestley.
Also on the set of the series, she found a real friend, the performer of the role of Kelly – Jennie Garth.
Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth
Later, Tori starred in the films Scary Movie 2, Scream 2 and many films and TV series, such as Shark Tornado. But the success of “Beverly Hills” could not repeat. In addition, she began to have problems with money.
money problems
Tori claims that she became independent when she got a role in a star series. But when the shooting was over, it turned out that she did not know how to manage money at all. At one point, she owed hundreds of thousands of dollars on her credit card and was close to bankruptcy.
“Bad shopping habits die hard. To be honest, I grew up in a rich family and I never had to worry about money. That was the reality,” according to her, everyone around thought that she was living at the expense of rich parents, and she was too proud to turn to him for help and ended up without money. To pay off her debts, Spelling returned to work.
Over the next few years, Spelling took on any television job that helped pay her bills. She also launched her own jewelry line, and in 2007, she launched a reality show with husband Dean McDermott called Tori and Dean Inn Love, which also features the couple’s son, Liam. The third season of their show will premiere in June on Oxygen.
Tori Spelling has written several books, including a memoir.
Photo: Instagram torispelling
Tori Spelling has written several books
Photo: Instagram torispelling
Many were confident that Tori and her brother would receive a significant portion of Spelling’s fortune after his death in 2006. But his wife Candy inherited everything.
And in the end, Tori received less than a million, as did her brother Randy.
She claims that she was ready for this, because she talked with him shortly before his death.
“I think part of me, deep down, maybe hoped things would be different? But I hated myself for hoping things would be different because I didn’t want to use it. I didn’t want to be the one who wants only money from her father, “as a result, Candy received an inheritance of half a billion dollars and a huge house.
And subsequently, Tori more than once found herself on the verge of bankruptcy. In 2016, her and her husband’s property was seized in the amount of $260,000, and later it turned out that she owed American Express $38,000.
Novels and Husbands
Tori Spelling is rumored to have dated not only her co-stars, but also Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil, John Lennon’s son Julian, Melrose Place star Patrick Muldoon and even rumored Jean-Claude Van Damme. But her first husband was director and screenwriter Charlie Sheinian. A chic wedding in 2004 was played at the Spelling estate.
True, a year later, Tori cheated on her husband with actor Dean McDermott, who was married. After a scandalous divorce, the couple got married on a tropical island. And since 2006, Dean and Tory have had five children and nearly divorced because of his infidelity. But in 2010, they announced that they were working on their marriage, so that the divorce was cancelled.
What is Tori Spelling doing now?
Now the daughter of the most famous producer in the history of Hollywood continues to act in reality shows, has written several books, experienced several nervous breakdowns and from time to time continues to experience problems with money.
Tori Spelling with children
She also speaks frankly about her plastic surgery, which she did when she was 20 years old. Then Tori corrected her nose, inserted breast implants, which she later reduced and says that in her youth she suffered from constant criticism, which forced her to constantly correct something in her appearance.
Now she denies that she uses the services of surgeons, claiming that she looks good thanks to cosmetologists and makeup artists.
And, speaking about the relationship with her mother, Tori Spelling Tori Spelling claims that after 20 years of enmity, they finally reconciled.
Tori Spelling with her mother Candy
“We have a good relationship – now it’s like a new level. I’m very, very happy,” said Tori.
Luke Perry, the star of Beverly Hills, 90210, passed away in 2019, just before filming began on the sequel to the cult series.
