Examining the verified public timeline demonstrates how an actress raised between England and Italy crossed paths with one of Asia's top leading men, debunking recurring timeline misconceptions.
| Timeframe | Public Milestones & Events | Internet Rumors vs. Verified Facts |
|---|---|---|
| 1984, 2018 | Raised in the UK and Italy; starred in European films (Three Steps Over Heaven, Third Person); graduated from Bocconi University. | Rumors claimed she secretly married an Italian heir. Fact: She maintained a private personal life and never registered any marriage. |
| 2021, 2022 | Met Song Joong-ki through mutual industry connections; began dating privately while Song filmed international projects. | Claims alleged Saunders was Song’s Italian language tutor for Vincenzo. Fact: Song clarified they met through common acquaintances, not professional tutoring. |
| Dec 2022 | Song acknowledged his relationship publicly following an international media event in Singapore. | Gossip blogs created "ex-husband" narratives using 2012 red-carpet photos. |
| Jan 2023 | Song registered their legal marriage and announced they were expecting their first child together. | Agency and legal documentation confirmed this was Saunders' first marriage. |
| June 2023 | Saunders gave birth to their first child, a healthy son, in Rome, Italy. | Claims that she had a teenage daughter were debunked again as the couple welcomed their firstborn child. |
| 2024, 2026 | The couple welcomed their second child and expanded their family life across Rome and Seoul. | Unsubstantiated divorce and separation rumors surfaced online, swiftly rejected by fans and legitimate news outlets. |
