Renowned chef Giada De Laurentiis, celebrated for her culinary expertise, is also a devoted mother to her daughter, Jade Marie De Laurentiis Thompson. Jade entered the world in March 2008, during Giada’s marriage to Todd Thompson. While Giada tends to keep her private life under wraps, she has candidly discussed her experiences as a mother. In 2013, she opened up about how Jade revitalized her life following the tragic loss of her brother to melanoma. In an interview with Parade, Giada expressed, “She’s allowed me to love in a full way, which I think that had stopped when my brother died 10 years ago. She’s reopened my eyes to the world around me and my ability to truly love someone again.”
Axelle/bauer-griffin/Getty Images
Famous chef Giada De Laurentiis is a mother of one to Jade Marie De Laurentiis Thompson. Jade was born in March 2008, during Giada’s marriage to her then-husband, Todd Thompson. Although Giada lives a private life, she has shared quite a bit of her motherhood journey. In 2013, for example, the Food Network star revealed that Jade had given her a new lease on life after her brother unexpectedly passed away from melanoma. “She’s allowed me to love in a full way, which I think that had stopped when my brother died 10 years ago,” Giada told Parade. “She’s reopened my eyes to the world around me and my ability to truly love someone again.”
Fast forward to 2026, and Jade Marie De Laurentiis Thompson is preparing to embark on her college journey. Naturally, Giada is savoring every moment they have together, equipping Jade with the skills she’ll need to thrive independently. True to her culinary pedigree, much of this preparation centers on cooking. As Giada shared with SheKnows, she is dedicated to teaching Jade a handful of simple Italian dishes that are both delicious and manageable. “Because I feel like no matter how wonderful that recipe is at the end of the day and tasty, if you have a sink full of dishes, chances are you’re not making it again,” Giada explained.
While Giada takes pride in Jade’s exciting new chapter, she admits to feeling a mix of emotions about the impending changes. In a January 2026 conversation with Good Housekeeping, Giada reflected, “As a mom, I’ve always planned my life around Jade’s schedule, and it’s been that way for the last 18 years. It’s going to be a tough transition, but I think it’ll be fun. Yes, there will be those sad moments where I realize that my time with her is now limited, but it’ll be different.” She added, “She’s not going to live at home anymore, and I think that’ll take some getting used to.” However, Giada eagerly looks forward to Jade’s first visit home for Thanksgiving as a college student, marking the beginning of this new phase in their relationship.
Giada De Laurentiis began prepping her daughter for college
Jc Olivera/Getty Images
In 2026, Giada De Laurentiis’ daughter, Jade Marie De Laurentiis Thompson, began preparing to head to college in the fall. Like any good mother, of course, Giada wanted to make the most of the time they had left together by preparing Jade to live on her own. Given her culinary roots, it’s unsurprising that much of that prep involved cooking. However, as Giada shared with SheKnows, she was focused on helping Jade master a few easy Italian recipes that she would actually have the energy to re-create. “Because I feel like no matter how wonderful that recipe is at the end of the day and tasty, if you have a sink full of dishes, chances are you’re not making it again,” she said.
And while Giada was, of course, proud of Jade starting her next chapter, she did have some bittersweet feelings about the changes. “As a mom, I’ve always planned my life around Jade’s schedule, and it’s been that way for the last 18 years,” she shared with Good Housekeeping in January 2026.”It’s going to be a tough transition, but I think it’ll be fun. Yes, there will be those sad moments where I realize that my time with her is now limited, but it’ll be different.” She continued, “She’s not going to live at home anymore, and I think that’ll take some getting used to.” On the bright side? She wouldn’t have to wait too long for Jade to return home for her first Thanksgiving as a college student.