Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her husband, Ryan Scott Anderson, have announced their split on Facebook just months after Blanchard’s release from prison in December. The couple met in 2020 while Blanchard was serving a 10-year sentence for the murder of her mother, Clauddine “DeeDee” Blanchard. They got married in a jailhouse ceremony in July 2022 and were planning on having a reception outside of prison. However, issues arose early in the marriage as Blanchard admitted she was nervous about living with a man for the first time, having grown up with only her mother.
Blanchard’s decision to separate from Anderson came as a surprise to many, especially considering the public expressions of their commitment just after her release. Blanchard indicated that the relationship between her and Anderson was based on mutual letter writing during her time in prison. The couple hoped to have a “redo wedding” to celebrate their commitment with their friends and family. However, Blanchard’s fear of conflict resolution in the marriage complicated their newlywed life, prompting the decision to separate and for Blanchard to move back in with her parents.
Blanchard’s long and complicated history involves a childhood marred by her mother’s fabrication of illnesses that resulted in Blanchard being bound to a wheelchair for decades. Her mother was believed to suffer from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder where parents invent illnesses in their children to gain attention. Blanchard’s experiences were recounted in the HBO documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest” and the Hulu series “The Act.” Blanchard’s case has generated significant public interest and sympathy due to the extreme circumstances of her upbringing and the subsequent conviction for her mother’s murder.
After being granted parole in September, Blanchard expressed excitement about her newfound freedom and life with Anderson. However, she quickly realized the challenges of navigating a new marriage, especially given their differing approaches to conflict resolution. Despite hoping for a happy married life, the couple faced difficulties early on, leading to their separation. Blanchard’s decision to move back in with her parents reflects her need for support and guidance as she navigates this new chapter in her life.
The intense scrutiny from the public and the media, especially on social media, has been a significant challenge for Blanchard since her release from prison. Her parole officer advised her to stay out of the spotlight and off social media to prevent any behavior that could jeopardize her parole status. This led Blanchard to delete her public Instagram account, which had millions of followers, and restrict her social media use to private accounts. The attention and expectations surrounding Blanchard’s release and marriage put additional pressure on her, further complicating her post-prison transition and contributing to the challenges in her relationship with Anderson.
Blanchard’s separation from Anderson is a part of her ongoing journey towards self-discovery and healing after years of trauma and imprisonment. The complexities of her relationships, past and present, are intertwined with the public’s fascination with her story. Blanchard’s decision to move in with her parents and take time for herself shows her commitment to finding her own path and identity outside of her tumultuous past. As she navigates this new chapter in her life, Blanchard’s experiences continue to capture the attention and empathy of those following her story.
