5 Shocking Reasons Kristin Cavallari Ended Her Romance With Mark Estes (And Who They Are Dating In 2025)

The whirlwind romance between reality TV veteran Kristin Cavallari and TikTok star Mark Estes captivated the internet, largely due to their significant 13-year age gap. The relationship, which began in early 2024, saw the *Laguna Beach* alum, 37, date the 24-year-old member of the "Montana Boyz" collective. However, as of December 2025, the high-profile coupling is officially over, having ended in September 2024, leading to candid confessions and new dating updates from both parties. The split was amicable but firm, with Cavallari being the one to ultimately call it quits. Her honesty about the challenges of their age difference—and what she was looking for long-term—has since become a major talking point, shedding light on the complexities of dating across generational lines in the public eye.

Kristin Cavallari and Mark Estes: Complete Biography and Profile

The pairing of Kristin Cavallari, a seasoned television personality and entrepreneur, with Mark Estes, a rising social media influencer, was an unexpected but intriguing match. Their respective career paths and backgrounds highlight the generational divide that ultimately played a role in their separation.

Kristin Cavallari's Profile

• Full Name: Kristin Elizabeth Cavallari
• Born: January 5, 1987
• Age (2025): 38
• Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, USA
• Career Highlights:
  • Television Personality: Rose to fame on MTV's reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County (2004–2005) and its spin-off, The Hills (2009–2010).
  • Entrepreneur: Founder and CEO of the jewelry and homeware brand, Uncommon James.
  • Author: Published the New York Times best-selling book, Balancing in Heels: My Journey to Health, Happiness, and Making it all Work.
  • Personal Life: Was married to former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler from 2013 to 2020, with whom she shares three children.

Mark Estes' Profile

• Full Name: Mark Charles Estes
• Born: Circa 1999–2000
• Age (2025): 25–26
• Birthplace: Montana, USA
• Career Highlights:
  • Social Media Influencer: Member of the viral TikTok group, the "Montana Boyz," alongside Kaleb Campbell Winterburn and Kade Wilcox. The trio is known for their cowboy-themed content.
  • Former Athlete: Played college football for both Montana State University and Montana Tech, where he concluded his college career.
  • Public Debut: Gained significant mainstream attention when his relationship with Kristin Cavallari became public in early 2024.

The 5 Key Factors Behind the Cavallari-Estes Breakup

The relationship between Kristin Cavallari and Mark Estes lasted approximately seven months, from February to September 2024. While the couple often appeared affectionate and happy, the reality star was transparent about the long-term viability of their romance, which ultimately led to the split.

1. The Unavoidable 13-Year Age Gap

The most significant and publicly cited reason for the breakup was the 13-year age difference. Cavallari, a mother of three and established businesswoman, was 37, while Estes was 24. She candidly explained that while there was no animosity, the gap became a defining factor.

2. Different Stages of Life and Future Intentions

Cavallari openly shared that their respective life stages were fundamentally incompatible for a long-term future. At 37, she was looking for a partner who was ready for a serious, committed relationship and shared her long-term goals. Estes, in his mid-twenties, was still establishing his career and personal life, which created a misalignment in their future visions.

3. Kristin's Desire for a Long-Term Partner

Despite calling the relationship "the best" of her life and expressing fondness for Estes, Cavallari was clear that she initiated the breakup because she knew, deep down, that a long-term future was not right for them. This maturity and foresight in prioritizing her long-term happiness over a fun, short-term connection was a driving force.

4. The Immediate Introduction to Her Children

Mark Estes met Cavallari's three children—Camden, Jaxon, and Saylor—fairly early in the relationship. While this showed the seriousness of the connection, it also raised the stakes. Introducing a partner to children, especially with a significant age difference, often forces a quicker assessment of the relationship’s stability and future.

5. The Pressures of Public Scrutiny

From the moment they went Instagram official on Valentine's Day 2024, their relationship was under intense public scrutiny. The focus was almost always on the age gap, which, while not the cause of the split, certainly added a layer of pressure to their dynamic. The constant media attention on their controversial difference may have amplified the reality of their differing life paths.

The Surprising Aftermath: New Relationships and Intimacy Confessions in 2025

The fresh news surrounding the former couple, particularly in late 2024 and early 2025, centers on their post-breakup dating lives and Cavallari’s surprising candor about the void the split created.

Kristin Cavallari's Candid Confessions on Intimacy

In early 2025, Kristin Cavallari made headlines with her unusually frank comments about her personal life after separating from Estes. She openly discussed her "lack of" sex life following the September 2024 breakup, calling the situation "really sad." This level of vulnerability provided a rare glimpse into the personal cost of ending a relationship, even one she knew wasn't meant to last.

Both Parties Have Moved On

Despite the breakup being relatively recent, both Cavallari and Estes have quickly transitioned into new dating phases, underscoring their desire to find partners who align with their current lives.

Mark Estes' New Romance

The "Montana Boyz" star wasted little time, debuting a new romance with model and fellow TikToker Sommer Ray. The public launch of this new pairing further cemented the end of his chapter with Cavallari and demonstrated his continued presence in the influencer world.

Kristin Cavallari is Dating Someone New

Kristin Cavallari has also confirmed that she is not single heading into 2025. She has been dating someone new, though the identity of her new partner has been kept more private than her previous high-profile romances. This suggests a shift toward a more low-key, perhaps more mature, dynamic that better suits her long-term goals as a mother and businesswoman. The new relationship indicates her commitment to finding a lasting connection that transcends the buzz of viral fame and age-gap narratives.