Mia Thornton Reveals How Her Marriage to Gordon "Changed" Ahead of Separation
Before she officially separated from Gordon, Mia highlighted some of her marital issues on RHOP Season 8.
Mia Thornton confirmed that she was separating from her husband of 11 years, Gordon Thornton, back in September 2023, but the couple was dealing with issues in their marriage long before that.
On The Real Housewives of Potomac Season 8, Mia has been candid about how recent changes in Gordon's professional life had put a strain on their relationship.
On Season 8, Episode 5, the pair attended a couples therapy session, and they discussed their issues at length. Mia also made a shocking revelation about taking steps to contemplate ending the marriage for good.
Mia Thornton and Gordon Meet with a Couples Therapist
The spouses — who share son Jeremiah Carter and daughter Juliana together (Mia and Gordon also each have a child from previous relationships) — sat down with a professional to talk about their latest marital woes.
"We have recently gone through a financial change with our business, and having to downsize, and having to navigate a lot," Mia told the therapist on the episode.
She elaborated on their troubles in an interview on the episode.
"The relationship between Gordon and I has definitely changed," Mia said. "Ever since Gordon was voted out of the family business, he's been working a lot more because we were expanding our portfolio with other partnership groups, so it is causing a lot of tension inside of our marriage. And, to me, spending time with the kids and having balance is so much better than us always working and then we look up and our kids are grown."
Mia and Gordon's issues had gotten so bad that the RHOP cast member decided to seek the counsel of a divorce attorney.
Mia Thornton Reveals She Retained a Divorce Attorney
As Mia told the therapist, "things were getting to a point where [she] actually had retained a divorce attorney, because [she] was going to be filing for divorce."
Gordon was surprised by the revelation. "I had no idea it had gotten that bad with her, that's why I'm focusing on really trying to listen," Gordon said during the session.
"Gordon was really so focused on work, and then we started to argue..." she said to the therapist about why she decided to meet with the attorney. "I told myself I won't allow my children to hear Mommy and Daddy arguing."
At the time, the two had mainly been arguing about Gordon's dedication to work. "Gordon had gotten to a point where he wasn't listening to me, and I want Gordon to retire," Mia said in an interview confessional. "Like, you said yourself, you don't want to miss out on a second chance at being a great father, and you're a phenomenal father. Do that."
Gordon explained his side of the story to the therapist. "I set goals, and then I don't let anything get in the way. I go get it. I wanted to get to a certain economic level, so that [Mia] and the kids would be set no matter what happened to me," he said. "I was almost there, so I was really pushing hard to get those last few nuggets."
Mia's concerned that Gordon's persistence could cost them a lot in the end and he noted: "Part of what she says is, I think, is what makes us a good couple. Having differences in a relationship, there's nothing wrong with that. Mia's the sensitive one, and I respect that about her, I love that about her."
He further noted that he wanted to continue working to make more money, but also to keep busy. While Mia said, "I honestly think that, despite my feelings and how I feel about it from a personal level that Gordon is going to go full force at it from a business level, no matter who they are, and I just don't agree with it. And it's, like, f-cking with me, because it's not the guy that I married."
Where Mia Thornton and Gordon Thornton Stand Today
In September, Mia confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE that she was separated.
"Like all marriages, ours has had its ups and downs," Mia said. "At this time, Gordon and I are separated, but my family is my number one priority, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure we are okay. We ask that you respect our privacy and give us the time and space to figure things out."
Fast-forward about two months, and Mia and Gordon are in a good place in their co-parenting relationship. The estranged spouses spent Thanksgiving together with their kids on November 23.
“B L E S S I N G S,” Mia wrote in the caption of her Thanksgiving post. She also added a hashtag for "co-parenting."
“Sending Love, PEACE [and] Holiday Cheer to you and yours," she added. "Love, The Thorntons.”
See more from Mia by tuning in to new episodes of RHOP Season 8 on Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo. Stream episodes the next day on Peacock.
