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Kathy Ireland says faith in God is guiding her through ‘shocking’ betrayal by former managers
Kathy Ireland is leaning into her faith after a “shocking” betrayal by her former management team.
Ireland rose to fame in the ’80s as a highly coveted “Sports Illustrated” Swimsuit Issue cover model and then amassed considerable wealth as a flourishing entrepreneur with her self-named brand.
Last month, Ireland took action and filed a lawsuit against her former inner circle at Kathy Ireland Worldwide after discovering alleged deception and mishandling of her multimillion-dollar fortune, in documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
“The betrayal is what is most shocking and heartbreaking, really,” Ireland exclusively told Fox News Digital.
KATHY IRELAND SUES BUSINESS MANAGERS FOR ALLEGEDLY SWINDLING MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR FORTUNE
“When you have a relationship with people for 35 years, and you come to find that what you think is true is not. That’s really difficult on many levels and, to be honest, it’s been a difficult journey.”
She added, “There’s been times when my husband and I take turns not sleeping.”
In the lawsuit filed in a Santa Barbara court, Ireland, 63, claimed her family was targeted by Jason Winters and Erik Sterling, who were allegedly at the helm of a deceptive managing scheme. The lawsuit also names four former Kathy Ireland Worldwide employees.
KATHY IRELAND REVEALS ‘BIG RED FLAG’ THAT EXPOSED ALLEGED $100M ‘UNCONSCIONABLE’ BETRAYAL
Forbes once estimated Ireland to be one of America’s richest self-made women, and worth $420 million through her self-titled brand, which includes affordable home furnishings, clothing, and lifestyle products sold not only in stores nationwide, but also on HSN.
She claimed in the lawsuit that her former team “failed to create wealth and make investments” as promised for their family, leaving Ireland and husband Greg Olsen in extreme debt and forced to sell their family home.
In a statement to ABC News, the defendants disputed Ireland’s claims, and said an alleged $25 million fraud claim against Ireland filed last year was the catalyst for their dispute.
They called her allegations “false, defamatory, and unsupported by any documentation,” adding that all loans in question had Ireland’s signature, and that those involved were “partners and equal shareholders from the outset, not business managers.”
In a separate statement shared online, defendant Brittany Duncan called the allegations “knowingly false, baseless, deceptive, slanderous and disingenuous.” Duncan added that the matter, which she said is being litigated, should be resolved in court rather than in the media.
Fox News Digital reached out to the defendants for comment.
“Every day we’re moving through this, and I’m so grateful and God is good,” Ireland said. “He’s getting us through.”
“Life is hard, and it’s full of tests, but my faith tells me … God promises, He says, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you,’ and He refines us in the fire,” she said. “He oftentimes will lead us through battles, and we keep our eyes on Jesus, not the wind and the waves, and that’s what gets us through.”
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Ireland added, “Throughout my life, he’s carried me through many tough battles. I’m a private person and I don’t share a lot, but like everyone, life is hard, and we go through tough stuff, but it’s a question of how are we going to go through it? And are we going to allow the actions of others to defeat us, define us, destroy us?
“No, we get back up, and we fight another day, and it’s comforting to know that we’re not alone in this.”
According to the lawsuit, it was only when the couple attempted to loan money to their son for a down payment on a home when they realized that they had no funds and the defendants used their money.
The couple now has “no substantial retirement accounts” after more than three decades running a successful global company.
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“I’m saddened for my former business partners,” Ireland admitted. “These are people that I continue to care about. I don’t hate them and I refuse to let bitterness set in.”
“Scripture tells us, be angry and don’t sin, don’t let the sun go down on your anger. And it also tells us vengeance is mine, says the Lord. So I pray for the very best for them, and I pray they’ll do the right thing.”
Ireland added, “Ultimately, it is not okay to lie, steal, and abuse our family or anyone. That’s something that I know, my husband and I, we’ve both worked very hard since childhood.”
“I know that God did not lead me from the cover of Sports Illustrated to the cover for Forbes to have anyone but him write this chapter or the next.”
The mother-of-three reflected on the words of former president Ronald Reagan with a new “trust, but verify” life motto.
“I tend to be a patient person, a loyal person and there comes a time when patient is no longer kind, and we must have the courage and the kindness to confront difficult things,” Ireland insisted.
“When you’re forced into a situation to take action, that must happen. And we can’t just pretend something is not there and allow others to continue in behavior that is not good for them ultimately and not good others.”
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US embassy in London warns to ‘exercise increased caution’ near Jewish sites in UK, Europe after attacks
The U.S. embassy in London on Friday warned Americans to “exercise increased caution” while visiting Jewish and American areas in the U.K. and in Europe because of a recent rise in threats.
“The U.S. Embassy in London notes recent attacks and threats targeting Jewish and American institutions in the United Kingdom and Europe,” the alert said. “U.S. citizens, particularly those visiting institutions serving Jewish or American interests, should remain alert and exercise increased caution.”
The embassy further advised Americans to remain alert while visiting tourist and expat areas and houses of worship, review personal security plans and to check local media for updates.
Concerned citizens can also enroll in the State Department’s Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive travel and security updates.
NRA FORGES HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP WITH JEWISH GROUP AMID RISING ANTISEMITISM
The advisory followed a series of recent antisemitic attacks in the U.K. and in Europe, including an arson attack on four ambulances linked to Jewish charity in London on March 23, an April 18 attack on the Kenton United Synagogue in London, and a March explosion at a Jewish school in Amsterdam that authorities called a “targeted attack against the Jewish community.”
No one was injured, but the school was damaged.
ANTISEMITIC ATTACKER FACED 30-YEAR SENTENCE, GETS LESS THAN 1½ YEARS IN PLEA DEAL
U.K. authorities are investigating whether “thugs for hire” backed by Iran are instigating the attacks in London, GB News reported.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the Jewish Chronicle: “In relation to malign state actors more generally, proscription, we do need legislation in order to take necessary measures, and that is legislation that we’re bringing forward as soon as we can.”
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US military kills two suspected narco-terrorists in strike on drug-trafficking vessel in the Pacific
The U.S. military carried out a lethal strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Friday, killing two suspected narco-terrorists, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
“On April 24, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations,” SOUTHCOM said in a post on X.
“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” the post continued. “Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action.”No U.S. military forces were harmed.”
ALLEGED NARCO-TERRORISTS KILLED AS US FORCES STRIKE SUSPECTED DRUG-TRAFFICKING VESSEL IN CARIBBEAN
SOUTHCOM did not immediately provide additional details about the identities of those killed or the specific groups involved.
The U.S. military has carried out numerous strikes in recent months on suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of a broader campaign to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking operations.
The strike comes less than a week after SOUTHCOM said it conducted a similar operation in the Caribbean, killing three suspected narco-terrorists.
US, ECUADOR LAUNCH JOINT OPERATIONS TARGETING NARCO-TERROR GROUPS: SOUTHCOM
Earlier this month, the military struck a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing four alleged narco-terrorists, SOUTHCOM said.
SOUTHCOM is responsible for military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks that threaten U.S. interests.
The Eastern Pacific remains a key corridor for narcotics trafficking, with cartels often using small, fast-moving vessels to transport drugs toward the U.S. and Central America.
Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
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Matthew Stafford’s wife sends message to husband’s possible heir apparent, Rams draft pick Ty Simpson
Even at 38, Matthew Stafford remains one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. In fact, he added another trophy to his collection in February, winning his first league MVP award.
Stafford edged New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye after throwing a career-best 46 touchdowns. The 2026 season will be his 18th, and with nearly two decades in the league, the Rams appear to be looking toward the future following Thursday night’s first round.
The Rams selected former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick, potentially positioning him as Stafford’s successor. The decision sparked strong reactions and drew a response from Kelly Stafford, the veteran quarterback’s wife.
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Simpson said Kelly Stafford welcomed him to the team with a message on social media.
“Kelly has actually texted me on Instagram and welcomed me and told me to hit her up if we need anything,” Simpson said during his introductory press conference. “But I can’t wait to talk to Matthew. I’m super ecstatic because I just want to pick his brain.”
FALCONS’ MICHAEL PENIX JR SHARES CRUCIAL ADVICE KIRK COUSINS GAVE HIM AFTER TAKING OVER AS STARTER
Simpson was the full-time starter at Alabama, throwing for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2025.
Rams coach Sean McVay shut down any speculation that Simpson was joining the team to compete with Stafford for the starting job.
“There were a lot of players that we liked, but when you do look at it, I think the thing you liked about the body of work is … let’s make one thing clear, this is Matthew’s team,” McVay said Thursday. “You get a chance to be able to address the backup quarterback.”
Simpson’s parents visited with Rams general manager Les Snead during Alabama’s trip to the Los Angeles area for the Rose Bowl in January, the NFL Network reported. Simpson’s father, Jason Simpson, is the head football coach at UT Martin.
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