It was supposed to be the ultimate Hollywood-meets-hockey fairytale. In one corner, you had Rachel Hunter, the iconic New Zealand supermodel who had already lived a lifetime in the spotlight as the wife of rock legend Rod Stewart. In the other, Jarret Stoll, a rising NHL star thirteen years her junior, known for his grit on the ice and his charm off it.
They were the "it" couple of the late 2000s. People loved the age gap, the glamour, and the way the rugged Canadian athlete seemed to fit right into Rachel’s world.
Then, everything vanished.
Seven weeks before the 2009 wedding, with the dress picked out and the invitations already sitting on mantlepieces, the plug was pulled. It wasn't just a breakup; it was a total collapse. Honestly, the way it went down still leaves people scratching their heads in 2026.
The Email That Ended It All
If you’re looking for a dramatic movie scene where someone leaves a note on a pillow, you’re going to be disappointed. It was worse.
Jarret Stoll basically ended the engagement via a mass email to guests. Just like that. No long-winded press conference, just a digital notification that the August 14 nuptials in Northern California weren't happening.
Rachel was reportedly blindsided. Imagine having your venue booked, your guest list filled with names like Sharon Stone and Michelle Pfeiffer, and your £2.2 million Hermosa Beach home ready for a new chapter—only to have it evaporate in an inbox.
Why?
Back then, the rumor mill went into overdrive. Some said it was "cold feet." Others pointed to the 13-year age difference, suggesting Jarret, then 27, suddenly realized he wasn't ready to be a stepfather to Rachel’s teenagers, Renee and Liam.
✨ Don't miss: Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The Aftermath: A Supermodel's Perspective
Rachel Hunter didn't hide under a rock, but she didn't lash out either. Years later, she’s been surprisingly candid about the heartbreak. She once described it as a "rollercoaster of emotions" that absolutely wrecked her self-esteem and pride.
But here’s the thing—she doesn’t hate him.
In more recent interviews, she’s actually praised Jarret for his bravery. Think about that for a second. It takes a certain kind of person to look at a life-changing commitment and say "I can't do this" before the "I do's" happen, even if the timing was brutal. Rachel eventually admitted that she probably shouldn't have been surprised, famously asking, "Fourteen years difference... what was I thinking?"
Where They Are Now
Fast forward to today, and their lives couldn't be more different.
Jarret Stoll didn't let the drama derail his career. He went on to become a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Los Angeles Kings (2012 and 2014) and eventually moved into player development for the team. He’s a hockey man through and through. He did find his "happily ever after" later on, marrying sportscaster Erin Andrews in 2017.
Rachel Hunter took a path no one saw coming.
The woman who once graced the covers of Sports Illustrated and Vogue is now a deeply spiritual yoga and meditation teacher. She traded the red carpets for ashrams in India. She’s nomadic, teaching retreats in Bali and New Zealand, and honestly, she looks more at peace now than she ever did during the Stoll years. She’s also a grandmother now, focusing on family and a "slow culture" lifestyle that is lightyears away from the "high maintenance" labels the British tabloids used to slap on her.
What Most People Get Wrong
People love to cast Jarret as the villain and Rachel as the victim. It’s a clean narrative, but it’s rarely the truth in real relationships.
The reality? They were two people at completely different stages of life.
✨ Don't miss: Paige Spiranac Boyfriend 2025: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Privacy
- Jarret was a pro athlete at his physical peak, still figuring out his identity outside of the rink.
- Rachel was approaching 40, already a mother, looking for stability after a high-profile divorce.
The "disaster" of the cancelled wedding was actually a blessing in disguise. If they had walked down that aisle, they likely would have ended up in a messy divorce court a few years later. Instead, they both got to pivot.
Actionable Takeaways from the Stoll-Hunter Split
- Trust the "Cold Feet": If you're feeling intense dread before a major life commitment, listen to it. It’s better to cancel a wedding than to survive a miserable marriage.
- Communication is King: Mass emails are a terrible way to end things. If you have to break a heart, do it with the respect of a face-to-face conversation.
- Reinvention is Possible: Rachel Hunter proved that your "celebrity identity" doesn't define your future. You can always trade the runway for a yoga mat.
The story of Jarret Stoll and Rachel Hunter is a reminder that sometimes the things that feel like the end of the world are actually just the start of a much better, albeit different, story.
Next Steps for You: If you're interested in how other high-profile athlete-celebrity couples have navigated the spotlight, I can compile a detailed comparison of the most successful "cross-industry" marriages in sports history for you.