‘RHOC’ star Carmella Garcia confirms split from boyfriend of 10 years: ‘I was never enough for him’

Carmella Garcia and her boyfriend, Danny Hampel, have broken up after 10 years of dating.

The “Real Housewives of Orange County” star confirmed she “called it quits” with Hampel, a general contractor, “months ago” while speaking exclusively to Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” Thursday.

“I feel a range of emotions,” Garcia, 44, told us. “I feel sad. It was a 10-year relationship. It was somebody that was around my children. But, at the end of the day, I needed to put myself first.”

Carmella Garcia (pictured above in the Page Six Studio on Sept. 17) confirmed her breakup with her boyfriend, Danny Hampel, while speaking exclusively with “Virtual Reali-Tea.” Brian Zak/Page Six
Garcia dated Hampel for 10 years. Brian Zak/Page Six

Garcia — who joined “RHOC” this season for its milestone 20th season — has been open about her relationship struggles on the show, sharing in Episode 6 that Hampel had cheated on her four years ago.

Although the luxury real estate agent did not reveal the exact reason why she broke up with Hampel, she did say she discovered he had done something “gravely inappropriate” soon after they wrapped filming.

“It was a very difficult situation because it was somebody that I loved very deeply, and I truly did want to get to a place of forgiveness, but I oftentimes ignore my intuition and there was just something deep down that I felt like I just didn’t trust,” she said. “The dishonesty just continued and I called it quits.”

Garcia (pictured above with Hampel at the “RHOC” Season 20 premiere in June 2026) has been open about the infidelity in their relationship. Todd Williamson/Bravo via Getty Images
Hampel (pictured above in “RHOC” Season 20) allegedly cheated on Garcia four years ago. Bravo

Garcia shared that her sons from her previous marriage — Jason, 17, and Jax, 15 — have “struggled” the most with her decision, but acknowledged that it was “not a healthy” relationship to show her children.

“I have to be enough for myself and for him and for my children, and I was never enough for him,” she said. “That’s an issue that I feel like is his issue.”

“If I could change it for him, I would, but I can’t. The ship was sinking and I needed to save myself.”

Garcia (pictured above at the “RHOC” Season 20 premiere in June 2026) ended her relationship with Hampel over his alleged “dishonesty.” Todd Williamson/Bravo
Garcia (pictured above on “RHOC” Season 20) said she ended the relationship “months ago.” Koury Angelo/Bravo

Garcia said the “hardest part” of the breakup has been watching their relationship back on the show, noting that co-stars Jennifer Pedranti and Tamra Judge have been “amazing” support systems.

As for whether she’s ready to start dating again, Garcia said she was initially hesitant, but she’s since hired a “team of therapists” to help her work through some of her own issues.

“I’ve struggled over the years [with] suppressing pain, and I felt like this is exactly where I needed to be,” she said. “I needed to walk through it, and the only way through it is straight through it.”

Despite separating in 2020, Garcia is still legally married to former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia. (The pair are pictured above in 2007, the year they tied the knot.) WireImage
The former couple (pictured above in an Instagram post) share four children. therealcarmellagarcia/Instagram

Garcia shares four children with her ex-husband, former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia. In addition to their aforementioned sons, they also share daughters Presley, 18, and Faith, 14.

The pair tied the knot in 2007, before publicly announcing their separation in 2020. However, they still remain legally married.

“The Real Housewives of Orange County” airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo, with new episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.

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