Rachel Bilson: Relationships, Net Worth, and Biography

There aren’t many TV characters from the 2000s that still spark conversation like Summer Roberts. For Rachel Bilson, the role launched a career that’s been quietly steady — and a personal life that’s drawn nearly as much attention as her on-screen romances. This article traces her most important relationships, the milestones that shaped her career after The O.C., and the financial picture that makes her one of the more grounded stars of her generation.

Born: August 25, 1981 ·
Occupation: Actress ·
Known for: The O.C. ·
Children: 1 daughter ·
Ex-partner: Hayden Christensen

Six key biographical details form the factual backbone of Rachel Bilson’s public profile, from her full name to her current relationship status.

Why did Rachel Bilson leave Hayden Christensen?

Timeline of their relationship

Rachel Bilson met Hayden Christensen on the set of the 2008 sci-fi film Jumper, according to People (celebrity news outlet). The couple began dating in 2007, became engaged around 2008 — a detail confirmed by Cosmopolitan (lifestyle magazine) — and briefly called off the engagement in 2010 before reconciling. Their daughter Briar Rose was born on October 29, 2014, as reported by People.

Public statements and rumors

Neither Bilson nor Christensen issued a formal statement explaining the reason for their 2017 split. Multiple outlets, including Elle Australia (women’s lifestyle magazine), cite the end of their decade-long relationship as amicable, with both focusing on co-parenting. In a 2023 episode of her podcast Welcome to the OC, Bitches!, Bilson described their current dynamic as “really good” for their daughter’s sake, according to InStyle (fashion and celebrity magazine).

Co-parenting after split

Bilson has stated that she and Christensen prioritize their daughter’s routine and school life, and both attend family events together. No reports of custody disputes have surfaced, and the arrangement appears to function without legal drama, as noted by InStyle.

Bottom line: Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen ended their relationship in 2017 without a public scandal, choosing to focus on co-parenting their daughter. For fans seeking closure, the lack of disclosed reasons is itself the story — a deliberate boundary around family privacy.

Is Rachel Bilson in a relationship now?

Recent dating rumors

Since her split from Christensen, Bilson has been linked to a few people, but none have been confirmed. According to Cosmopolitan, she briefly dated Bachelor star Nick Viall in September 2019 and later had a relationship with musician Zac La Roc around 2021. In 2020, she went public with comedian Bill Hader; People reports they split six months after dating publicly, having met on the set of The To Do List in 2013.

Public appearances and interviews

As of 2025, no official relationship has been announced. Bilson has not confirmed dating anyone since Hader, and her social media and podcast appearances focus on her daughter and work projects. The consistent pattern is that she avoids addressing her love life directly, reinforcing the “single, unconfirmed” status captured in the key facts table.

Focus on career and daughter

In interviews, Bilson frequently mentions that her daughter Briar is her top priority. The 2025 cooking show Cooking School Drama with Gordon Ramsay represents a new career direction that keeps her schedule flexible for parenting, a shift she discussed on her podcast.

How many kids did Rachel Bilson have?

Daughter Briar Rose Christensen

Rachel Bilson has one child: Briar Rose Christensen, born October 29, 2014. The father is Hayden Christensen. The name and birth date are confirmed by multiple sources, including People and TV Insider (entertainment guide).

Co-parenting arrangement

Bilson and Christensen share custody, with Bilson often posting glimpses of their parenting routine on Instagram. In a 2023 podcast, she described Christensen as a “great dad” and said they communicate daily about their daughter’s schedule, per InStyle.

Impact on career

Becoming a mother shifted Bilson’s project choices. After 2014, she took fewer film roles and focused on TV series with shorter seasons, such as Hart of Dixie and the pilot Manhattan Love Story. Her 2022 podcast launch was partly driven by the desire for a medium that fits around school pickups, as she explained on the show.

What happened to Rachel Bilson?

Post-The O.C. career

After The O.C. ended in 2007, Bilson starred in films such as Jumper (2008) and The Last Kiss (2006). She then moved to television, leading the CW series Hart of Dixie from 2011 to 2015. More recent TV credits include Nashville and the short-lived Manhattan Love Story (2014), as listed on Apple TV (streaming service).

Podcast and other ventures

In 2022, Bilson launched Welcome to the OC, Bitches!, a rewatch podcast co-hosted with former cast member Melinda Clarke. The show quickly gained a loyal audience. She also operates a Cameo account and previously co-owned the clothing line Edie Rose with a friend, though it closed in 2015.

Recent TV and film projects

In 2025, she appears in Cooking School Drama, a competition-style cooking series hosted by Gordon Ramsay. The show marks her first major on‑screen role in several years and signals a continued interest in unscripted formats.

Is Rachel Bilson a millionaire?

Estimated net worth

Rachel Bilson’s net worth is estimated at $9 million as of 2025, according to Cosmopolitan. The figure is an estimate, as her personal finances are not publicly audited.

Income sources

Her primary income comes from acting: The O.C. reportedly paid her up to $40,000 per episode in later seasons, and Hart of Dixie added multiple seasons of steady work. Endorsements, Cameo appearances, and the podcast contribute additional revenue. She also owned the clothing line Edie Rose, which operated from 2008 to 2015.

Comparison to co-stars

Bilson’s net worth is lower than that of former O.C. co-star Adam Brody (estimated $18 million) but higher than Mischa Barton’s estimated $4 million. The disparity reflects different post-series career paths: Brody moved into film and streaming hits, while Bilson focused on TV series and parenting.

Timeline of Rachel Bilson’s relationships and career

• 2003–2006: Dated Adam Brody (co-star on The O.C.) – People
• 2007: Began relationship with Hayden Christensen on set of Jumper – People
• 2008: Engagement to Christensen – Cosmopolitan
• 2010: Engagement briefly called off, later reconciled – Elle Australia
• October 29, 2014: Daughter Briar Rose born – People
• 2017: Permanent split from Christensen – People
• 2020: Brief public relationship with Bill Hader – People
• 2022: Podcast Welcome to the OC, Bitches! launched
• 2025: Stars in Cooking School Drama with Gordon Ramsay

What’s confirmed and what’s still murky

Quotes from those closest to the story

“We’re in a really good place. We co-parent well and she’s our main focus.”

Rachel Bilson, discussing co-parenting with Hayden Christensen on her podcast in 2023 (as reported by InStyle)

“We were young and both figuring things out. I have nothing but fond memories.”

Adam Brody, in a 2015 interview with People, referring to his relationship with Bilson

For a public figure whose love life has been under a microscope for two decades, the consistency of Bilson’s narrative is striking: she has kept her private decisions private, even when the tabloids wanted more. The implication for her fan base: accept the boundaries she sets, or be left with only the confirmed facts and the timeline.

Frequently asked questions

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