Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 13, 2025 · Entertainment

From Megawatt Glamour to Muted Elegance: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's Rare NYC Appearance

Mary-Kate (left) and Ashley Olsen (right) attended a party thrown Thursday by W Magazine and Bloomingdale's, and posed with the magazine's editor-in-chief Sara Moonves (center)

The Twin Phenomenon: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's Rare Public Appearance Sparks Intrigue

In a rare sighting, fashion moguls and former child stars Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen made a joint appearance at a New York Fashion Week party hosted by W Magazine and Bloomingdale's. The 39-year-old twins, who have been out of the spotlight for years, exuded an air of understated elegance as they posed alongside W's editor-in-chief Sara Moonves.

But don't let their calm demeanor fool you – these sisters have had a wild ride since their Full House days. Born in Sherman Oaks, LA, to parents David and Jarnette, Mary-Kate and Ashley rose to fame at just six months old when they landed the role of Michelle Tanner on the popular ABC sitcom. As identical-looking triplets (yes, you read that right!), they stole hearts with their adorable antics.

The twins pictured at the BO Pre Golden Globe Awards Party at Chateau Marmont in January 2007

Fast forward to the mid-1990s, and the twins were already household names, thanks in part to their production company Dualstar, which churned out a string of TV movies, including Winning London, When in Rome, and New York Minute. But it was their feature film debut, It Takes Two (starring Steve Guttenberg), that cemented their status as teen heartthrobs.

As the Olsen twins grew older, so did their ambitions. In 2004, they became co-presidents of Dualstar, expanding the company's reach into new markets and products, including fragrances and home decor. But behind the scenes, Mary-Kate was struggling with her body image and reportedly battling an eating disorder, which sparked rumors and whispers about her well-being.

The sisters' decision to step away from the spotlight in 2008 marked a turning point in their careers. They had grown tired of the constant scrutiny and criticism that came with fame, choosing instead to focus on their passion for fashion. In 2006, they founded luxury brand The Row, which would go on to become a global phenomenon.

The Olsen twins first shot to fame on Full House, an American sitcom which ran from 1987 until 1995

The twins' dedication to their craft paid off in spades. With a seven-piece capsule collection snapped up by Barneys New York, The Row quickly gained momentum, expanding into Paris and London and eventually selling in 37 countries worldwide. By 2021, the brand was valued at $1 billion, with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen retaining majority ownership.

But what about their personal lives? In a surprising move, Mary-Kate married Olivier Sarkozy (brother of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy) in a private ceremony in 2015. The couple's relationship was shrouded in secrecy, with whispers of a 17-year age gap and rumors of a bitter property battle after their split in 2020.

The divorce was finalized in January 2021, but not before Mary-Kate reportedly requested an emergency order to speed up the proceedings due to fears she would be kicked out of her NYC apartment. Meanwhile, Ashley has been keeping busy with her own family – she welcomed son Otto in 2023, revealing the pregnancy to friends and fans alike.

By the time they were six years old, Mary-Kate and Ashley had a production company to their name, Dualstar

As for Mary-Kate, sources close to the actress hint that she's not dating anyone since her split from Olivier, which might just be exactly what she wants. "We're used to being on the other side of the camera," she joked to PORTER magazine in 2017, summing up their post-fame lives.

But don't get it twisted – these twins are far from done with the spotlight. With their fashion empire thriving and personal lives still shrouded in mystery, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen remain two of the most fascinating sisters in Hollywood today.

The Lowdown:

Mary-Kate has largely retreated from public life but her eight-year relationship with Olivier Sarkozy, who was 17 years her senior, raised eyebrows among fans

  • Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen made a rare public appearance at a New York Fashion Week party.
  • The twins have been out of the spotlight for years, focusing on their fashion careers instead.
  • They founded luxury brand The Row in 2006, which is now valued at $1 billion.
  • Mary-Kate was married to Olivier Sarkozy (brother of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy) from 2015 to 2020.
  • Ashley welcomed son Otto in 2023, revealing the pregnancy to friends and fans alike.

The Goss:

  • Rumors swirled about Mary-Kate's eating disorder and body image struggles during her teenage years.
  • The twins' decision to step away from fame was reportedly due to exhaustion with constant scrutiny and criticism.
  • Ashley has been keeping busy with her family, while Mary-Kate is said to be focusing on her fashion career.

The sisters, pictured at their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004, have all but shunned the limelight since their teenage years, which saw them picked apart on the world stage

Sources:

The sisters, who are not identical but looked very similar in their younger days, started out playing the role of Michelle Tanner in Full House (pictured with John Stamos)

Ashley Olsen and her husband Louis Eisner (pictured in 2021) welcomed a son named Otto together in 2023

The twins, who now pour their efforts into their fashion business The Row, which is valued at $1 billion, appear at high-profile events but rarely conduct interviews; pictured 2019

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen travelled around the world filming TV movies in their pre-teen and teenage years. Pictured in Paris on the set of Passport to Paris

Throughout their teen years the sisters continued to star in films. Pictured in New York minute, 2004

Thw twins' younger sister Elizabeth, who has appeared in several Marvel films, is now the acting star in the family

Mary-Kate Olsen and her twin sister Ashley Olsen present their collection 'The Row' at Marion Heinrich on November 20, 2014 in Munich