History of Giada De Laurentiis in Timeline

Giada De Laurentiis is an Italian-American chef, entrepreneur, author, and television personality, best known as the host of Food Network's "Giada at Home" and a frequent contributor to NBC's "Today". She is also the founder of GDL Foods, a catering business. De Laurentiis has received numerous accolades including a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle Host and a Gracie Award for Best Television Host. She was named as one of the Global 100 in Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute.

Sections (1)

Full Timeline

1923: Paternal Grandmother Born

In 1923, Pamela De Benedetti née Leslie-Jones, Giada De Laurentiis' paternal grandmother, was born.

February 1970: Parents' Marriage

In February 1970, Giada De Laurentiis' parents, Veronica De Laurentiis and Alex De Benedetti, got married.

August 22, 1970: Giada De Laurentiis Born

On August 22, 1970, Giada Pamela De Laurentiis, also known as Giada Pamela De Benedetti, was born in Italy. She is a chef, entrepreneur, writer, and television personality.

1996: Graduated from UCLA

In 1996, Giada De Laurentiis graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a bachelor's degree in social anthropology.

1998: Paternal Grandmother Died

In 1998, Pamela De Benedetti née Leslie-Jones, Giada De Laurentiis' paternal grandmother, passed away.

2002: Contacted by Food Network

In 2002, after working as a food stylist and styling a piece in Food & Wine magazine, Giada De Laurentiis was contacted by the Food Network.

April 5, 2003: Everyday Italian Premieres

On April 5, 2003, Giada De Laurentiis' daytime cooking show, Everyday Italian, premiered on the Food Network.

May 25, 2003: Married Todd Thompson

On May 25, 2003, Giada De Laurentiis married Todd Thompson, a fashion designer.

2003: Brother's Death

In 2003, Giada De Laurentiis' brother, Dino Alexander II, a Hollywood film editor, died of melanoma.

October 2005: Hosting Behind the Bash

In October 2005, Giada De Laurentiis began hosting Behind the Bash, a program examining the catering process behind big event extravaganzas.

November 2006: Iron Chef America Appearance

In November 2006, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay competed against Rachael Ray and Mario Batali on an episode of Iron Chef America, and were defeated.

January 2007: Giada's Weekend Getaways Debuts

In January 2007, Giada De Laurentiis' third show, Giada's Weekend Getaways, debuted on Food Network, featuring culinary destinations in various locales.

June 2007: Giada in Paradise Special

In June 2007, Giada De Laurentiis hosted a two-part Food Network special entitled Giada in Paradise, featuring Santorini, Greece and Capri, Italy.

March 29, 2008: Daughter Jade Marie Born

On March 29, 2008, Giada De Laurentiis and Todd Thompson's daughter, Jade Marie De Laurentiis-Thompson, was born.

2008: Barilla Gourmet Line Launch & Giada at Home Premieres

In 2008, Giada De Laurentiis and the Barilla Group launched an Italian gourmet line under the Academia Barilla name. Also in 2008, Giada at Home premiered on the Food Network.

2008: Daytime Emmy Award

In 2008, Giada De Laurentiis won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle Host.

2009: Handy Manny Voice Role

In 2009, Giada De Laurentiis became the voice of "Paulette", a character on the animated children's show Handy Manny.

Loading Video...

June 2010: The Next Food Network Star Mentor

In June 2010, Giada De Laurentiis became a regularly appearing mentor to the finalists on The Next Food Network Star.

Loading Video...

2013: Lasagna Pan Recall

In 2013, ceramic lasagna pans under the Giada De Laurentiis brand were recalled after they cracked and caused injuries.

May 2014: Opened Restaurant Giada

In May 2014, Giada De Laurentiis opened her first restaurant, simply called "Giada", located in the Cromwell in Las Vegas.

July 2014: GIADA Restaurant Opens

In July 2014, Giada De Laurentiis opened her first restaurant, called GIADA, inside The Cromwell in Las Vegas, Nevada.

December 29, 2014: Separation Announcement

On December 29, 2014, Giada De Laurentiis announced on her website that she and Todd Thompson had separated in July 2014 and would end their marriage.

2014: Pixie Hollow Bake Off Voice Role

In 2014, Giada De Laurentiis voiced the character of Gelata in the U.S. version of the Tinker Bell special Pixie Hollow Bake Off.

Loading Video...

September 3, 2015: Divorce Finalized

On September 3, 2015, the divorce between Giada De Laurentiis and Todd Thompson was finalized.

November 2015: Relationship with Shane Farley

Since November 2015, Giada De Laurentiis has been romantically involved with TV producer Shane Farley.

July 2017: Announced Restaurant in Baltimore

In July 2017, Giada De Laurentiis announced she would open a restaurant in the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, Maryland.

2017: Giadzy.com Launched

In 2017, Giada De Laurentiis launched a new e-commerce platform called Giadzy.com, which aims to showcase new recipes, provide travel and cooking tips, as well as sell high-quality products.

May 2018: GDL Italian by Giada Opened

In May 2018, GDL Italian by Giada, a restaurant by Giada De Laurentiis, opened in the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, Maryland.

2018: Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost Voice Role

In 2018, Giada De Laurentiis voiced herself in the movie Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost.

Loading Video...

2018: Opened Pronto by Giada

In early 2018, Giada De Laurentiis opened a second restaurant called "Pronto by Giada" in Caesars Palace, which is a fast casual dining restaurant.

June 26, 2020: Daytime Emmy Award for Giada Entertains

On June 26, 2020, Giada De Laurentiis' Food Network series Giada Entertains won a Daytime Emmy Award as Outstanding Culinary Series.

Loading Video...

July 26, 2020: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Culinary Host

On July 26, 2020, Giada De Laurentiis won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Culinary Host.

2022: Target Carries Only Books

In 2022, Target seemed to only carry Giada De Laurentiis' books, including a Target edition of Eat Better, Feel Better.

Eat Better, Feel Better: My Recipes for Wellness and Healing, Inside and Out

Check it on Amazon

February 10, 2023: Amazon Studios Deal and Oceania Cruises Godmother

On February 10, 2023, Giada De Laurentiis signed a multi-year deal with Amazon Studios for unscripted programming. Later in February, she was named godmother for Oceania Cruises' ship Vista.