Anne Hathaway is one of the most bankable actresses in the entertainment industry, with a long of successful movies in her name. The actress became a popular name with the film The Princess Diaries and has climbed the ladder of success with her dedication to her passion. Some of her remarkable roles include The Devil Wears Prada, The Intern, Ocean’s Eight, The Dark Knight Rises, Alice in Wonderland, and others. The actress has a thriving professional life. However, her personal life was under threat once upon a time.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway was once dating an Italian businessman, who was later arrested for money laundering. The actress broke off her relationship immediately to save her public image.

Anne Hathaway broke up with her boyfriend days before his arrest

Raffaello Follieri and Hathaway met in 2004 through a mutual friend. She was only 21 years old at the time, and Follieri was 25. The Hustle actress reportedly described meeting him as “totally love at first sight” in an interview. She said gushingly,

“He is sooo good-looking. He looks like a god.”

The couple dated for four years till 2008, but Anne Hathaway broke up with him days before his arrest for money laundering. She also resigned from the board members team of his company.

Raffaello Follieri and Anne Hathaway

Raffaello Follieri later shared that he had bought her an engagement ring and was going to propose to her soon. Follieri got arrested for the vati-con scandal.

According to the Daily Mail, authorities had seized personal photos and even Hathaway’s diaries from his apartment as evidence of crime.

Why was Anne Hathaway’s former boyfriend arrested?

Follieri was arrested in June 2008, as per the papers filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was accused of lying to investors by claiming to be the CFO of The Vatican. He used the swindled funds for a trip to the Dominican Republic to celebrate New Year’s Eve for 2005-06 with his then-girlfriend (Anne Hathaway) and another couple.

Raffaello Follieri and Anne Hathaway

According to the complaint, Follieri also used the swindled funds for his $37,000-a month-apartment rent, medical bills for himself and his former girlfriend, and some medical bills for his father.

The Italian businessman, Raffaello Follieri was sentenced to prison for 4.5 years due to the vati-con scandal.

Follieri shared via the Daily Mail,

“I was devastated. I knew as soon as I was arrested that our relationship was over because this situation was not comfortable for her. That was it.”

He also shared in a statement,

“What I did was wrong and there is no point in making excuses. I will never be able to wash away the shame. I just hope that someday those who have been hurt by my actions will forgive me.”

Hathaway married actor and businessman Adam Shulman in 2012. The couple is parents to two sons.