Kelly Bishop :: Character Guides

Emily Gilmore, the product of a strict, wealthy family, is the stereotypical society woman. Her high standards have made it impossible for her to keep a maid longer than a week, but have propelled the Gilmore clan into the highest ring of Hartford society. As a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as a member of several committees, boards, societies, and auctions, Emily and her husband, Richard, frequently attend social events.

Emily and Richard first met when Emily was attending Smith College and Richard was a student at Yale University. He asked her out on a date to the Yale Center of British Art and shortly afterwards, Emily and Richard were married. Richard, however, had to break off his engagement to Pennilyn Lott, a woman his mother adored, to marry Emily, resulting in his mother disapproving of their marriage and of Emily. Due to this, Trix Gilmore verbally harasses Emily during her visits and disapproves of how Emily does absolutely everything, which damages her marriage to Richard and almost results in the two getting a divorce.

During the fifth season, Emily and Richard were separated briefly and during this time Emily dated Simon McLane, making her realize that there’s no one for her but Richard. Soon afterwards, Emily and Richard reconciled their differences and renewed their wedding vows in a spectacular ceremony.

Together Richard and Emily have one daughter, Lorelai, who they tried to raise to be a child of high social standing, but when Lorelai rebelled against their lifestyle they found it hard to control her. After Lorelai got pregnant and ran away from home with Rory, both Emily and Richard had very little contact with their daughter. When they did see each other, their visits were met with pent up rage and hostility on both sides, often ending in fighting that tore apart their relationship further.

When Lorelai came to Emily for money to put Rory through Chilton, Emily eagerly gave her the money with one catch – in exchange for the funds, Lorelai and Rory had to attend dinner at the elder Gilmore’s home every Friday night. Through these dinners, Lorelai and Emily have begun to rebuild their relationship and Emily was able to connect with Rory. Though Emily meddles in both her daughter and granddaughter’s lives frequently, Emily’s actions often show that despite the years of no communication she truly loves her daughter.