Jerry Seinfeld’s Controversial Relationship: The Unconventional Love Story

Jerry Seinfeld, the famous comedian with a net worth of $950 million and the star of the hit sitcom Seinfeld, has had his fair share of romantic entanglements before finally settling down with his wife Jessica Seinfeld in 1999.

However, one relationship in particular raised eyebrows and sparked public scrutiny.

It was his relationship with Shoshanna Lonstein, who allegedly met Seinfeld when she was just 17 years old.

Not only was Lonstein underage at the time of their meeting in 1993, but there was also a significant age gap of 21 years between them.

Seinfeld was 38 years old at the time, which caused many, including his industry peers, to question the legitimacy of their relationship.

The story goes that Jerry Seinfeld encountered Shoshanna Lonstein, a high school senior attending the prestigious Nightingale-Bamford School, in New York City's Central Park in May 1993.

In a 1993 Playboy interview, Seinfeld admitted that he wasn't aware of her age when they first crossed paths.

He explained, “I met this girl, Shoshanna.

She's a very sweet girl and she's very pretty.

I didn't know how old she was — I knew she wasn't 40.

I took her to a basketball game and that was the whole thing.”

However, suspicions grew, and once Lonstein turned 18, they confirmed their relationship.

Despite Seinfeld's attempts to defend his actions, he became the target of jokes due to the glaring age difference.

During an interview with Howard Stern, the host jokingly asked Seinfeld if he used a candy bar on a string to attract young girls in Central Park.

Seinfeld responded by saying, “I didn't realize she was so young.

This is the only girl I ever went out with who was that young.

I wasn't dating her.

We just went to a restaurant, and that was it.”

In a People magazine interview, Seinfeld emphasized that their connection went beyond age.

He stated, “I am not an idiot.

Shoshanna is a person, not an age.

She is extremely bright.

She's funny, sharp, very alert.

We just get along.

You can hear the click.”

Surprisingly, Lonstein's family approved of the relationship.

A source close to the family even praised Seinfeld, describing him as thoughtful and a good person.

It seemed like everything was going well, so what led to their eventual breakup?

In 1997, news broke of the amicable split between Shoshanna Lonstein and Jerry Seinfeld.

According to insiders, both parties mutually agreed that it was time for a break.

Lonstein, in an interview with Details magazine, revealed that she wanted more freedom to explore life, but Seinfeld's demanding work schedule hindered her desires.

Other factors contributing to the breakup included public scrutiny and the physical distance between them.

Lonstein was studying at UCLA in New York, while Seinfeld resided in Los Angeles.

Lonstein admitted, “I'm happy I got to have the relationship, but L.A. was a really lonely existence for me.”

However, Lonstein didn't let the breakup define her.

With the help of a loan from her father, the CEO of Infocrossing, she launched her own fashion label called Shoshanna in 1998.

Today, according to Celebrity Net Worth, she possesses a fortune of $50 million.

As for her past relationship with Jerry Seinfeld, Lonstein has moved on.

In an interview with Observer, she stated that it is a chapter of her life that she left behind long ago.

Although their relationship raised eyebrows and sparked controversy, both Jerry Seinfeld and Shoshanna Lonstein have moved on and put their unconventional love story in the past.

Seinfeld's timeless sitcom can now be enjoyed by audiences streaming on Netflix.

Source: People Magazine