Giada De Laurentiis is officially an empty-nester. The celebrity chef and former Food Network star helped her 18-year-old daughter Jade move into her dorm at New York University, sharing an emotional Instagram post on August 28 that captured the bittersweet milestone.
“It takes a village.. my heart❤️,” De Laurentiis captioned the post, which she set to Noah Kahan’s “End of August.”
The Giadzy founder, 56, shared several images of the move-in, including a photo of Jade sitting on her dorm bed holding Radiohead’s In Rainbows record. A Fleetwood Mac record lay nearby. Additional photos showed De Laurentiis crouched down to help her daughter unpack suitcases, surrounded by half-organized drawers and dorm furniture.
The move-in was a true family affair. De Laurentiis was joined by her boyfriend, Shane Farley, and her ex-husband, Todd Thompson, who is Jade’s father. The trio posed together in the dorm room alongside another woman, smiling as Jade sat on her bed.
The Journey to College
The road to move-in day was documented step by step. On August 9, De Laurentiis shared a sendoff celebration with Jade and Thompson on a balcony overlooking a beach.
“Celebrating our girl yesterday before we send her off… we are sooo proud of you,” she wrote in the caption. “It’s time to go to college! 😭❤️.”
A video from the celebration showed De Laurentiis addressing loved ones, thanking them for supporting her and Thompson in getting Jade to this point. “She’s an awesome kid,” she said before pulling Thompson and Jade into a “group hug.”
On August 26, Farley captured a “home movie” of the pair leaving for the airport. In the video, De Laurentiis expressed she was “excited for Jadey,” while Jade admitted she was feeling “excited and nervous.”
“And so it begins… home movie by @shanefarley, to document the beginning of Jade’s big adventure. Here we go!! 😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️,” De Laurentiis captioned that post.
A Bittersweet Transition
De Laurentiis has been open about her mixed emotions regarding her only child leaving home. In a January interview with PEOPLE, she revealed Jade was heading to NYU.
“It’s really exciting, but I think it’s also incredibly emotional because everything I do with her I feel like is one of the last times I’m going to do it in this way,” she said.
She acknowledged that while people often say children return for the holidays, “It’s different. They don’t live in your house anymore.”
“I only have one kid, so I’m one and done. So I think it’s emotional, exciting, all wrapped up in one, and it’s a lot to navigate through,” De Laurentiis explained.
The chef noted that Jade “may never live in my house again,” adding that even if she does return, she will be in her twenties and “it’ll be a totally different experience.”
Staying Close
Jade will be attending New York University, and De Laurentiis has made plans to stay nearby. The chef revealed she already has an apartment in New York City and is considering buying a house outside the city, “maybe in the Hamptons.”
“I’m thinking of buying a house somewhere outside the city, maybe in the Hamptons, just so it doesn’t look like I’m going to hang out with her, looking to hang out with her, but I’m there in case she needs anything,” she explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Giada De Laurentiis’s daughter?
Giada De Laurentiis’s daughter is Jade Marie De Laurentiis Thompson, her only child with ex-husband Todd Thompson.
2. How old is Jade De Laurentiis?
Jade is 18 years old. She was born in March 2008.
3. Where is Jade De Laurentiis going to college?
Jade is attending New York University (NYU).
4. Is Jade De Laurentiis attending NYU?
Yes, Giada confirmed in January 2026 that Jade would be attending New York University.
5. What did Giada De Laurentiis say about her daughter moving to college?
Giada described the experience as emotional and exciting, saying she felt like “one of the last times I’m going to do it in this way.”
6. What did Giada mean by “It takes a village”?
The phrase referred to the support she received from her boyfriend Shane Farley, ex-husband Todd Thompson, and others who helped Jade move into her dorm.
7. Did Giada share photos of Jade’s college dorm?
Yes, Giada posted images of Jade sitting on her dorm bed with music records and pictures of the unpacking process.
8. What is Giada De Laurentiis known for?
Giada De Laurentiis is a celebrity chef, author, and former Food Network star. She currently runs Giadzy, an Italian food and lifestyle brand.
Jade’s move to NYU marks the beginning of a new chapter for both mother and daughter. As De Laurentiis reflected publicly, the milestone is one of pride, emotion, and the start of a new kind of relationship — one where she’s just a phone call or a short trip away, ready when her daughter needs her.