Updated: November 14, 2025
Hey there, movie buffs and gossip lovers! If you’re a fan of Anne Hathaway—like, who isn’t after The Devil Wears Prada and The Princess Diaries?—you’ve probably wondered about her love life beyond her picture-perfect marriage. Let’s dive into the juicy story of Anne Hathaway’s Italian boyfriend, Raffaello Follieri. This wasn’t just any fling; it was a four-year rollercoaster of glamour, passion, and a plot twist straight out of a Hollywood thriller. From red-carpet smooches to FBI raids, their tale has all the drama. Stick around as we unpack it all—trust me, it’s better than binge-watching Netflix.
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How They Met: Sparks Fly in the City of Dreams
Picture this: It’s 2004, and Anne Hathaway is riding high off her breakout roles. She’s 21, fresh-faced, and navigating the wild world of fame. Enter Raffaello Follieri, a suave Italian real estate developer in his late 20s, with a smile that could charm the Vatican (spoiler: he tried). They crossed paths in New York City, likely at some glitzy event where ambition meets stardom.
Anne later gushed about it being “love at first sight.” Raffaello wasn’t just any guy—he swept her off her feet with his old-world European flair. Think candlelit dinners in SoHo and weekend getaways to the Hamptons. For a girl who grew up in New Jersey dreaming of royalty, this felt like her own fairy tale. But beneath the romance, Raffaello was building an empire (or so it seemed) in property development, rubbing elbows with big shots like Bill Clinton. It was the kind of love story that had tabloids buzzing: Hollywood princess meets Italian stallion. Who could resist?
The Glamorous Highs: Jet-Setting and Red-Carpet Magic
Oh, the good times! From 2004 to 2008, Anne and Raffaello were that couple—unapologetically affectionate and everywhere you looked. They jetted off on private planes (one New Year’s Eve trip to Oscar de la Renta’s Dominican Republic bash cost a cool $97,000!), partied at the Met Gala, and posed for photos that screamed “power duo.”
Here are a few highlights that still make us swoon (and cringe a bit in hindsight):
- Red-Carpet Royalty: They turned heads at events like the Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars in 2006, where Anne’s elegant gowns matched Raffaello’s tailored suits perfectly.
- Lavish Gifts: He showered her with jewelry—gold watches, diamond earrings—that later became headlines for all the wrong reasons.
- Passionate Vibes: Raffaello once described their bond as “fiery,” full of intense arguments followed by even steamier make-ups. Anne called him “a god” in interviews, praising his looks and charm.
It was peak celebrity romance: exotic trips to Italy, where he’d whisk her to his homeland for pasta and prosecco under the Tuscan sun. Fans ate it up, shipping “HathaFollieri” like it was the next Brangelina. Little did they know, the fairy tale had a dark underbelly.
The Shocking Downfall: Scandal, Arrest, and Heartbreak
Just when things seemed too good to be true… they were. In June 2008, the FBI raided Raffaello’s Manhattan townhouse while Anne was filming Get Smart in Mexico. Turns out, her charming beau was at the center of the “Vati-Con” scandal—a massive fraud scheme where he conned investors out of millions by falsely claiming Vatican connections for real estate deals.
He pleaded guilty to 14 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, landing a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Anne dumped him days before the arrest, later telling W magazine it felt like “a rug was pulled out from under me.” She was blindsided, returning those lavish gifts to the feds and retreating to a friend’s house in shock.
Raffaello, released in 2012, has since reflected on it all. In a 2021 Daily Mail interview, he admitted, “I don’t blame Anne for ditching me overnight,” calling their split a “business decision” to save her career. No hard feelings? Maybe, but the hurt lingers. As of 2025, he’s kept a low profile, dabbling in soccer investments in Italy, while Anne has joked about it on SNL in 2019: “I broke up with my boyfriend, and two weeks later he was sent to prison for fraud.”
From Scandal to Stability: Anne’s Happily Ever After
Fast-forward to today, and Anne Hathaway’s love story has a much sweeter ending. She moved on quickly, meeting actor and jeweler Adam Shulman at a party in 2008. They tied the knot in 2012 in a Big Sur ceremony that’s still Instagram goals, and welcomed two sons: Jonathan (born 2016) and Jack (born 2019). Adam’s her rock—grounded, funny, and far from the drama.
Looking back, the Italian boyfriend chapter was a wild detour in Anne’s life, teaching her about red flags amid the glamour. She’s thrived, earning an Oscar for Les Misérables and starring in hits like The Intern. Raffaello? He’s reportedly single, focusing on redemption in Italy.
Conclusion: Lessons in Love and Letting Go
Anne Hathaway’s saga with her Italian boyfriend reminds us that even stars aren’t immune to heartbreak’s plot twists. What started as a passionate whirlwind ended in betrayal, but it paved the way for real, enduring love. If there’s a takeaway, it’s this: Trust your gut, cherish the highs, and always have a great exit strategy. Who’s your ultimate celeb couple crush? Drop it in the comments—let’s chat! If you loved this deep dive, share it with a friend who’s obsessed with Anne too.