This Millionaire Child Star, Who Began Acting at 9 Months, Quit Hollywood & Battled to Keep Her Home Amid Divorce from Banker Husband

She was famous long before she had a choice in the matter, her career beginning in front of the camera at just nine months old. Years of non-stop work followed, bringing fame, wealth, and eventually, a decision to leave the industry that had shaped her life. She turned to a different kind of work — quiet, exacting, and far removed from her early public image.

Her marriage introduced new complications — shared assets, differing priorities, and, eventually, a separation that turned into a legal dispute. At the heart of the matter was a property she helped select and renovate, one she fought to keep amid mounting tension. The battle played out through court filings, delayed hearings, and an emergency request filed under highly restrictive conditions.

A Childhood in the Spotlight: From Infant Actress to Business Mogul

At just nine months old, she and her twin sister were cast in the popular sitcom “Full House,” sharing the role of Michelle Tanner. It was their first and only audition, and the show became a defining part of their early lives, running for eight seasons.

From that point on, their childhoods were shaped by filming schedules, media appearances, and a growing fan base. Over the years, the sisters appeared in 47 straight-to-video films, expanding their brand beyond television.

Alongside acting, they developed a wide range of licensed products — from books to clothing — and co-founded Dualstar Entertainment. Their co-owned company generated over $1 billion in revenue by the time they turned 18. Each sister’s net worth was estimated at $150 million, and both took on executive roles as co-presidents.

Despite their earnings, they lived modestly and remained cautious about spending, with their finances protected under the oversight of their parents. Years later, she reflected on their early fame, describing herself and her sister as “little monkey performers.”

She said, “I wouldn’t wish my upbringing on anybody,” though she acknowledged, “I wouldn’t take it back for the world.” As they approached adulthood, she began to step away from acting and the public eye, redirecting her energy into an entirely different industry.

In 2012, she and her sister left acting to focus on fashion, founding The Row, a luxury brand, and Elizabeth and James, a contemporary line. Their designs earned industry respect, with attention focused on quality rather than their names.

She described her work at The Row as her “day job,” noting that fashion offered her a “mask to hide behind.” Their workdays were structured and highly organized, with time split between offices. They oversaw fittings, fabric selections, and design performance, aiming to create versatile garments.

She and her sister expanded Elizabeth and James by adding 100 new stockists, taking production in-house, and launching their first store in Los Angeles. Balancing personal life with professional demands became essential, especially as new commitments outside of business began to take shape.

Marriage and Real Estate: A Private Union with High Stakes

In 2012, she began dating French banker Olivier Sarkozy, the half-brother of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. He was 17 years older than her, and their relationship drew public attention early on. While he was ready to propose within the first year, she declined at the time, choosing to wait before committing.

Three years later, she accepted his proposal and was seen wearing a 4-carat vintage Cartier engagement ring, which had been purchased at auction for $81,250. The couple married on November 27, 2015, during a private ceremony held at a residence in New York City with about 50 guests in attendance.

The event was known for its unconventional detail—bowls filled with cigarettes served as centerpieces, and guests smoked throughout the night. In the years leading up to and following their wedding, they invested in multiple properties.

Early in their relationship, they purchased a $6.25 million townhouse in Manhattan, which they sold in 2014 to seek greater privacy. They then acquired a $13.5 million townhouse in the Turtle Bay neighborhood.

The townhouse featured five bedrooms, seven fireplaces, 22-foot-high ceilings, an artist’s studio, a private garage, a ballroom, and a garden with a Medici-style fountain. The home was also known for its unique ceiling inscriptions in French and Spanish, including phrases such as “Those who lose today will win tomorrow.”

The couple spent approximately $3 million renovating the property. They also maintained a Bridgehampton home on Long Island, where they spent time away from the city. Throughout their marriage, they kept a low profile, rarely appearing together publicly.

According to sources, she had settled into the role of stepmother to Sarkozy’s two children from his previous marriage and often consulted his ex-wife Charlotte on matters concerning the children. One insider noted that Charlotte appreciated the respect shown to her and “loved” her for it. However, it wasn’t long before cracks in the marriage began to appear.

A Fractured Partnership: Clashing Priorities and Unresolved Differences

Over time, differences in personal goals and lifestyle began to create distance between them. The former child actor wanted to have children, but Olivier was not open to the idea.

A source close to the couple stated that he felt he had “closed that chapter of his life,” while she was not comfortable with the decision to rule out the possibility entirely.

Their daily lives also followed contrasting rhythms. Olivier reportedly enjoyed entertaining and social engagements, while she preferred a private, domestic routine focused on her work and time at home. This mismatch in priorities contributed to the breakdown of their relationship.

Additionally, Olivier’s ex-wife, Charlotte, expressed concerns regarding her children’s living environment, specifically referencing their stepmother’s history of partying and alcohol use.

An insider reported that Charlotte “certainly won’t want her kids to be around” the former actress, though other sources had earlier noted cooperation and mutual respect between the two women.

Although the couple continued to appear publicly on occasion, often seen sharing brief moments of affection, they continued to grow apart. Eventually, a dispute over their living arrangements led to legal action taken during an unexpected and highly restrictive time.

Emergency Action: Legal Dispute During Lockdown

In April 2020, she filed for divorce from Olivier. At the time, New York City courts were not accepting divorce filings due to pandemic-related closures, which delayed the process. The situation became urgent when Olivier chose not to renew the lease on their shared apartment in Gramercy, which cost $29,000 per month.

Without a place to stay, she filed for an emergency order seeking continued access to their properties. Reportedly, Olivier had also moved his ex-wife and their two children into the couple’s Bridgehampton home, making it unavailable to her.

In her petition, she requested continued use of that home, the Gramercy apartment, and another property on East 49th Street in Manhattan. The latter, a townhouse with approximately 8,000 square feet, featured a private garage, a ballroom, an artist’s studio, seven fireplaces, and a garden with a Medici-style fountain.

It was previously owned by artist David Deutsch and had been extensively renovated by the couple. One of the properties they had purchased together — the Turtle Bay townhouse — also gained attention due to the inscriptions written on its ceilings in French and Spanish.

At the time of the filing, her legal team described the marriage as having broken down irretrievably for at least six months. Due to court closures, the judge denied her emergency petition. A hearing was later held remotely.

Settlement Reached: Divorce Finalized and Assets Secured

In January 2021, her attorney informed the New York Supreme Court that a settlement had been reached. Olivier’s legal team confirmed that all terms had been agreed upon that same morning, just before the scheduled hearing. Both sides stated that all issues were resolved and that they would submit the final documentation for approval.

The judge presiding over the case, Lori Sattler, acknowledged their progress and told them that once the agreement was filed, they would not need to return to court. She added that while she believed the matter was close to completion, she would keep the case active until she received formal proof of the executed settlement.

The next hearing was set for January 25 to verify that the divorce had been finalized. The final terms of the property division, including the ownership of the Turtle Bay townhouse, were not disclosed.

However, with her prenuptial agreement in place, her estimated $250 million fortune remained unaffected by the outcome of the divorce. Olivier, whose net worth was estimated at $60 million, did not contest this aspect of the divorce.

Life After Divorce: The Former Actress’s Return to Privacy and Precision

Following the finalization of her divorce, she resumed her daily routine, dividing her time between managing her fashion labels and maintaining a private lifestyle. Mary-Kate Olsen continues to co-lead The Row and Elizabeth and James, overseeing both design and operations.

Her involvement remains hands-on, with a focus on fit, fabric, and functionality. Mary-Kate and her sister Ashley do not maintain public social media profiles and rarely participate in photoshoots or public events.

In interviews, they have explained that they are accustomed to being on the other side of the camera and prefer to manage their brands without constant public exposure. Their design philosophy emphasizes practicality and longevity, with each piece tested for wearability and versatility.

Outside of work, Mary-Kate spends time horseback riding, cooking, and following a structured schedule. She has described her days as carefully planned, with every minute accounted for to maintain a balance between productivity and rest.

Mary-Kate has not returned to acting and has not indicated plans to do so. While her name remains widely recognized, she has chosen to stay out of the spotlight, focusing instead on her work and private life.