In 2009, De Laurentiis said her and Thompson's marriage worked because they each took turns in the limelight. However, she became the more recognizable of the pair, so perhaps the balance shifted too much toward Thompson supporting her career while his was pushed aside.
De Laurentiis decided to have a child after her brother, Dino, passed away, and the decision was difficult because she feared she may lose her child as well. It’s possible that Thompson wanted to expand their family further after their daughter was born, but De Laurentiis disagreed.
Rumors swirled about a romantic relationship between De Laurentiis and her friend Bobby Flay when she was seen having a "a boozy night out" with him, two days before she announced her split from Todd Thompson. A few months after that, Flay announced his split from wife, Stephanie March, adding fuel to the fire.
Closer Weekly also reported on rumors of a relationship between Giada and former "Today" anchor Matt Lauer, starting in 2011, when the pair filmed a segment for NBC. In 2013, a dinner meeting between Lauer and De Laurentiis was described as "cozy" by Page Six.