When Sean Avery's ex-wife Hilary Rhoda sued her mother

Hilary Rhoda began her career while still in high school, at the urging of her mother and a manager. The two happened to hear about a model casting at the Washington Hilton while listening to the radio in their car.

When her mother suggested that they should go, Hilary, who was a sophomore at Holy Cross Kensington, denied working as a model. But she later ended up working on Sports Illustrated's coveted swimsuit issue. Much has changed since then for Hilary Rhoda.

According to People Magazine, Rhoda filed a federal lawsuit against Marianne Rhoda in 2014 for improperly seizing — and then abusing — enormous power over Hilary's finances. Millions of dollars went missing from the model's savings account and ended up in Marianne Rhoda's pockets, according to the younger Rhoda.

Of course, Marianne counter-sued, denying all of Hilary's claims and throwing her own mud — alleging that Hilary breached her contract.

The mother and model could be seen on the Washington scene in happier times. Hilary graced the cover of Capitol File magazine in 2009, and she attended the magazine's lavish holiday party in her honor, accompanied by Marianne. According to Hilary's lawsuit, Marianne stole a total of $2.9 million from her accounts that same year.

Hilary Rhoda posted a photo on Instagram in July 2022 of homey pillows with embroidery that read,

"If it's not one thing, it's your mother."

Marianne apparently does not approve of her daughter's choice of husband, Sean Avery, a former New York Ranger and "Dancing with the Stars" contestant. The bride's mother was conspicuously absent from Hilary and Avery's 2015 wedding in Southampton.

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Hilary Rhoda's ex-husband Sean Avery's career

Sean Avery is a Canadian actor, model, and author who used to play professional ice hockey. He played left wing for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, and Dallas Stars during his NHL career. He earned a reputation for controversial and disrespectful behavior both on and off the ice.

Sean Avery's agitating playing style resulted in him being waived by multiple teams and having his contract terminated. During the 2003-04 and 2005-06 NHL seasons, he led the league in penalty minutes twice. He retired in 2012 and began working full-time in the creative industry. He has worked in the fashion industry as an intern at Vogue magazine, a model, and a restaurateur.