13 Years Later: The Full Timeline Of Kristen Stewart And Rupert Sanders' Affair And Where They Are Now (2025)

Over a decade has passed since the paparazzi photographs of Kristen Stewart and her married director, Rupert Sanders, sent shockwaves through Hollywood, shattering the public-facing "Robsten" romance and ending a marriage. The 2012 scandal, a pivotal moment in both their careers, has been analyzed, judged, and debated countless times, yet the long-term impact on their personal lives and professional trajectories remains a compelling subject.

As of December 2025, both Stewart and Sanders have moved on, achieving significant milestones and finding stability far from the media firestorm. This article offers a deep dive into the full timeline of the affair, the immediate fallout, and a detailed look at where the actress and the director stand today, over thirteen years after the "momentary lapse" that changed everything.

The Complete Biographical Profile: Kristen Stewart and Rupert Sanders

To understand the magnitude of the 2012 event, it is essential to first establish the personal and professional contexts of the two individuals involved at the time, and their current status in 2025.

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Kristen Stewart (Actress)

• Full Name: Kristen Jaymes Stewart
• Born: April 9, 1990 (Age 35 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Notable Pre-Scandal Career: *Panic Room* (2002), *Speak* (2004), The *Twilight Saga* (2008–2012).
• Relationship Status (2012): Dating *Twilight* co-star Robert Pattinson.
• Relationship Status (2025): Married to screenwriter Dylan Meyer (married in April 2025).
• Post-Scandal Career Highlights: Oscar nomination for *Spencer* (2021), *Personal Shopper* (2016), *Clouds of Sils Maria* (2014), *Love Lies Bleeding* (2024).

Rupert Sanders (Director)

• Full Name: Rupert Miles Sanders
• Born: March 16, 1971 (Age 54 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Westminster, London, England.
• Notable Pre-Scandal Career: Highly successful commercial director for brands like Nike, Adidas, and Xbox; *Snow White and the Huntsman* (2012) was his feature film debut.
• Relationship Status (2012): Married to model/actress Liberty Ross (since 2002), with two children.
• Relationship Status (2025): Divorced from Liberty Ross (divorce finalized 2014); current relationship status is not publicly reported.
• Post-Scandal Career Highlights: Directed *Ghost in the Shell* (2017), and most recently, the highly anticipated reboot of *The Crow* (2024).

The 2012 Scandal: A Timeline of the 'Momentary Lapse'

The affair between the 22-year-old lead actress and the 41-year-old married director was a classic Hollywood transgression, but its public exposure was amplified by the global obsession with the *Twilight* phenomenon and the "Robsten" romance.

1. The Filming of *Snow White and the Huntsman* (2011–2012)

The professional relationship began on the set of the dark fantasy film, where Sanders was making his directorial debut and Stewart was taking on a major post-*Twilight* role. The film was a critical moment for both their careers, setting the stage for the personal entanglements that followed.

2. The Paparazzi Photographs (July 2012)

In July 2012, photos were published showing Stewart and Sanders in intimate embraces in public. The images immediately went viral, confirming an affair that had reportedly been ongoing for a short period.

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3. The Public Apologies and Immediate Fallout

The public reaction was swift and overwhelmingly negative, particularly toward Stewart. Both parties released highly publicized, contrite statements shortly after the photos surfaced.

• Kristen Stewart's Statement: She publicly apologized to Robert Pattinson, stating, "I deeply regret the hurt and embarrassment I’ve caused... This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob."
• Rupert Sanders' Statement: He apologized to his wife, Liberty Ross, and his children, saying, "I am deeply distraught about the pain I have caused my family... I love them with all my heart. I am praying that we can get through this together."

4. The Relationship Casualties

The affair caused two high-profile breakups. Stewart and Pattinson’s relationship, which had been under intense scrutiny for years, ended shortly after the news broke. Sanders' marriage to Liberty Ross, who had a cameo in *Snow White and the Huntsman* as the Queen's mother, also dissolved. Ross filed for divorce in early 2013, which was finalized in 2014.

The Long-Term Impact: Career Recovery and Retrospective Views

The scandal marked a clear turning point, forcing both Stewart and Sanders into a period of professional and personal reassessment. Over the next decade, both successfully rebuilt their careers, albeit in different ways.

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Kristen Stewart: The Art House A-Lister and Candid Reflection

Following the affair, Stewart shifted her career focus dramatically, moving away from major studio blockbusters like *Twilight* and into independent, challenging art-house cinema. This strategic move led to critical acclaim, including a César Award (the French equivalent of the Oscar) and, ultimately, an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Princess Diana in *Spencer*.

In retrospective interviews, Stewart has spoken candidly about the intense public scrutiny and the nature of the affair. She described the pressure of her relationship with Pattinson and the suffocating public interest. When discussing the affair years later, she confirmed the rumors that the relationship with Sanders was not a prolonged, deep entanglement, but a short-lived mistake.

“I didn’t know we had broken up,” Stewart once noted, explaining the complicated nature of her and Pattinson’s on-again, off-again status at the time, but ultimately taking full accountability for her actions.

Rupert Sanders: The Blockbuster Director's Quiet Comeback

The immediate professional consequence for Sanders was the loss of the *Snow White and the Huntsman* sequel. Liberty Ross reportedly forbade him from directing the follow-up film if he wanted to save their marriage, which ultimately failed anyway.

Sanders took a few years to resurface, directing the sci-fi action film *Ghost in the Shell* in 2017. Years after the controversy, Sanders addressed the affair by calling it a "momentary lapse," acknowledging the mistake without dwelling on the personal details.

His most recent and significant career move came with the 2024 reboot of *The Crow*, starring Bill Skarsgård. This major directorial project, released in August 2024, solidified his return to the blockbuster sphere, demonstrating that Hollywood was willing to move past the 2012 indiscretion.

The Present Day (December 2025): A Decade of Separation and Success

The paths of Kristen Stewart and Rupert Sanders have not crossed professionally since 2012, and their personal lives are now entirely separate, each finding success and stability in their own right.

Kristen Stewart's Stability

Stewart is now happily married to screenwriter Dylan Meyer, a relationship she has described as deeply fulfilling and stable. Their April 2025 wedding marked a definitive new chapter, cementing her personal happiness and demonstrating a complete evolution from the tumultuous years of her early twenties. Professionally, she is celebrated as one of the most interesting and versatile actresses of her generation.

Rupert Sanders' Professional Focus

Sanders has focused entirely on his directorial career. The success of *The Crow* (2024) proves his ability to secure and deliver high-profile projects. While his personal life is kept private following his 2014 divorce, his professional trajectory is strong, positioning him as a sought-after director in the action and sci-fi genres.

The story of Kristen Stewart and Rupert Sanders is a powerful case study in celebrity scandal, public forgiveness, and the long road to career recovery. What began as a brief affair became a defining cultural moment, but ultimately, both individuals were able to navigate the fallout, learn from their mistakes, and emerge over a decade later with successful careers and stable personal lives.