Kristin Cavallari says she learned a painful $250K lesson involving her father at 22

Kristin Cavallari Opens Up About $250,000 Loan to Dad and the Lessons Learned

April 29, 2024 – Portland, ME

Kristin Cavallari, the 39‑year‑old reality‑TV star and mother of three, told listeners on her podcast, Let’s Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari, that a $250,000 loan she gave to her father, Dennis Cavallari, has left her “in the hole” and shaped her views on money and family boundaries.

The Loans

Cavallari recalled that the first loan was made when she was 22, while filming the early seasons of The Hills. She said her father approached her with a request for a “six‑figure” sum, a large amount for a young woman who was already earning a comfortable income. She agreed, believing the money would be repaid with interest within six months.

“After I lent him the money, he promised me he would pay me back,” Cavallari told listeners. “He even mentioned interest. But he never paid me back, and instead asked for another six‑figure loan.”

The two loans together totaled $250,000—a figure Cavallari has said she has “no expectation of ever getting back.” She described the experience as a bad business decision that taught her the importance of setting clear boundaries with family and friends when it comes to finances.

A Hard‑Hit Lesson

Cavallari’s podcast episode was part of a broader conversation she’s had about financial literacy for women. On Instagram, she shared a clip from the episode, encouraging her followers to “talk about money” and to “chase the bag” while staying financially independent. She framed the loan story as an example of how “people expect you to lend money, and you’re not obligated to.”

“It’s almost like people expect it,” she said. “You’re not required to lend anyone money, especially if you’ve worked hard for it.” She added that the experience taught her to say no to her father, a move she eventually made.

Cutting Ties

In addition to the financial fallout, Cavallari has spoken publicly about cutting ties with her father after he allegedly “traumatized” her children. On the Boyfriend Material podcast, she said she had not spoken to Dennis in roughly three years. She explained that he crossed a line with one of her sons and that he offered no apology or accountability.

“Because he didn’t take responsibility, I had to pull away,” Cavallari said. “If I were a mom, and my child wanted to cut me out of their life, I would do everything possible to make amends. He didn’t. So that was a dealbreaker for me.”

Family and Career

Cavallari’s personal life is also intertwined with her public persona. She shares three children—sons Camden, 14, and Jaxon, 12, and daughter Saylor, 10—with her former husband, former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler. The family’s dynamic has been a recurring topic on Cavallari’s social media and podcast appearances.

Cavallari, who has been active on television since the early 2000s, continues to use her platform to discuss issues ranging from personal finance to mental health. Her recent reflections on the loan to her father are part of a broader effort to demystify money topics for women and to advocate for financial autonomy.

This story was produced by Maine News Now.