Cheryl Hines recently made headlines as she was spotted enjoying coffee with her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sans her wedding ring, stirring up speculation about their relationship status.
The couple was seen at a Starbucks in Malibu, California, where the 59-year-old actress was noticeably ring-free on her left hand.
Dressed casually in a navy blue t-shirt and jeans, Hines shielded her eyes with oversized black sunglasses.
This sighting has caught attention, especially given the swirling rumors about their marriage following allegations of infidelity on RFK Jr.’s part.
Tension in the Air
Despite reports suggesting that the couple has barely communicated in recent weeks—prompted by claims that RFK Jr. was involved with journalist Olivia Nuzzi—Hines was spotted riding shotgun in the car while he drove.
However, her expression told a different story, as she appeared tense and unsmiling.
The scene turned even more somber when she was seen walking alone down the sidewalk shortly after.
This incident follows revelations from DailyMail.com, which indicated that close friends of Hines expect her to file for divorce amidst the controversy.
A source close to Hines described her as “blindsided” by the affair, believing her husband’s past issues with fidelity were behind them.
The Fall of a Marriage
According to the insider, Hines had cherished her ten years of marriage with RFK Jr., finding it full of fun and laughter.
She enjoyed the allure of being part of the famed Kennedy family, but now, she feels utterly embarrassed and furious over his alleged actions.
The friend elaborated that while Hines was aware of her husband’s past womanizing, she had hoped he had settled down in their peaceful Southern California life, especially at his age and with his political aspirations.
Now, however, she feels betrayed and humiliated by his affair with Nuzzi, which has caused chaos in their marriage.
If Hines gets her way, RFK Jr. could end up with another divorce under his belt, as she considers her options following the unexpected news of his relationship with someone nearly 40 years younger.
The Allegations Unraveled
The scandal further deepened when Nuzzi, a 31-year-old political correspondent, confirmed her sexting relationship with RFK Jr. while covering his campaign.
Although Kennedy claims they only met once during an interview, friends have revealed that their exchanges included intimate FaceTime sessions, leaving many stunned by his behavior at his age.
In a surprising turn, Nuzzi resigned from her position after the story broke, further complicating matters for RFK Jr., who had recently suspended his presidential campaign to support Donald Trump.
Clues and Speculations
Just days later, Hines fueled the divorce rumors when she was photographed without her substantial diamond ring while leaving a Gucci-hosted afterparty during Milan Fashion Week.
Although she wore her wedding band, the absence of the larger ring sparked speculation.
Hines later appeared at Paris Fashion Week, where she deliberately showed off her wedding band to photographers, perhaps signaling mixed emotions about her marriage.
A close ally of RFK Jr. expressed disbelief over the affair, noting that Kennedy had often bragged about overcoming his past addictions.
Yet, the insider described him as a “sexual Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” suggesting that his old habits resurfaced when faced with temptation.
A Troubled History
Having covered the Kennedy family extensively as a journalist and bestselling author, I’ve documented the tumultuous life of RFK Jr.
He faced a challenging upbringing, marked by family tragedy and struggles with addiction.
My research revealed patterns in his relationships—two previous marriages marred by his infidelity—and it now appears his current marriage to Hines is at risk as well.
The couple tied the knot on August 2, 2014, at the iconic Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, just over two years after his second wife, Mary Richardson, tragically took her own life.
During that period, RFK Jr. made bold claims about his role as a husband, despite the tumultuous reality of his relationships.
A Cycle of Infidelity
Sources have indicated that Mary Richardson, his second wife, became aware of RFK Jr.’s infidelities and was deeply hurt by them, much like Hines is today.
Kennedy’s reputation as a womanizer has long been established, with tales of inappropriate advances and questionable behavior at social gatherings.
The cycle of his infidelities seems to repeat, suggesting that any woman who becomes involved with him does so fully aware of his history.
As a confidant once stated, those who think they can change him are often left disillusioned.
What’s Next for Hines and Kennedy?
With the fallout from the alleged affair still unfolding, it’s unclear what the future holds for Hines and Kennedy.
The actress seems to be at a crossroads, weighing her options in light of the revelations.
Will she choose to stay and work through the turmoil, or will she follow through on the divorce rumors?
Only time will tell how this dramatic chapter in their lives will conclude.