Celebrity divorces that took years to finalize

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries finalized their divorce nearly two years after their marriage ended (only 72 days after it started) in 2011. The split drew significant media attention, featuring disputes over finances and the reality television aspect of their relationship, highlighting the pressures of celebrity unions.

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Armie Hammer and Elizabeth Chambers -

Armie Hammer and Elizabeth Chambers settled their divorce in June 2023, nearly three years after she filed to end their decade-long marriage in July 2020. This came just weeks after the LA District Attorney's Office decided not to pursue sexual assault charges against Hammer, who faced multiple allegations of abusive behavior, including one involving a claim of cannibalism fetishism.

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Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet -

Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet announced their separation in 2022. Although they split amicably and avoided a court battle, their divorce wasn't finalized until 2024, with Bonet filing just that same week. The couple listed their separation date as October 2020, making it four years before their breakup was legally official.

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Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan -

In September 2024, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan finalized their divorce, six years after separating. Both waived spousal support, avoiding a trial set for December. The couple, who met on the set of 'Step Up' in 2006, married in 2009 and share a daughter born in 2013. Their lengthy divorce included disputes over profits from Tatum's 'Magic Mike' franchise. Dewan filed for divorce in 2018 after nearly nine years of marriage.

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner -

These two announced their split in June 2015, after 10 years of marriage. The couple then only finalized their divorce in October 2018, more than three years later.

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt -

Brangelina's divorce, which began in 2016, remains unresolved due to ongoing legal disputes over custody of their six children, financial matters, and a separate lawsuit involving their French winery, Château Miraval.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver -

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver got married in April 1986, but separated after 25 years in 2011 due to allegations of infidelity on Schwarzenegger's part. Their divorce was officially finalized a decade later, in December 2021. In total, they were married for 35 years.

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Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom -

Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom finalized their divorce in 2016, after a lengthy process that began in 2013. Their split involved emotional complexities and public scrutiny, especially concerning Odom’s struggles with addiction.

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Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony -

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony married in 2004 and welcomed their twins four years later. They separated in 2011, and Anthony filed for divorce the following year. However, the divorce wasn't finalized until 2014.

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Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow -

Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow announced their "conscious uncoupling" in 2014, although they had secretly separated a year earlier. While their divorce proceedings remained amicable, it was only finalized in 2016.

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Demi Moore and Bruce Willis -

The actors finalized their divorce in 2000, two years after their separation. They share three daughters and have maintained a friendly relationship post-divorce.

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Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley -

Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley married in August 2002 but separated just months later, with their divorce finalized in May 2004. Cage cited irreconcilable differences in his divorce petition, marking the end of their tumultuous marriage that lasted just over three months.

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Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon -

The former couple's divorce took longer than their brief courtship! After six years of marriage following just six weeks of dating, they separated in August 2014. Nick filed for divorce in December, but the process stalled for years. Reports claimed he was reluctant to sign, frustrating Mariah, who was engaged to James Packer. They eventually reached an agreement, finalizing their divorce in November 2016, just a month after Mariah ended her engagement.

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Richard Gere and Carey Lowell -

Actors Richard Gere and Carey Lowell tied the knot in late 2002 and were together for nearly 11 years before filing for divorce in 2013. Their divorce was finalized three years later, in 2016.

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Seal and Heidi Klum -

After announcing their separation in 2012, the supermodel said Auf Wiedersehen to Seal three months later by filing for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. However, their divorce wasn't finalized until 2014.

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Josh Duhamel and Fergie -

Josh Duhamel and Fergie ended their eight-year marriage in September 2017. Despite their separation, the couple remained legally married for two more years, with Fergie filing for divorce in May 2019. They were officially divorced in November 2019.

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Paul McCartney and Heather Mills -

After nearly two years of legal proceedings, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills concluded their highly publicized divorce in 2008. The split was marked by contentious disputes over a substantial financial settlement of £24.3 million (US$48.7 million in 2008), making it one of the largest in celebrity divorce history.

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Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher -

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher's divorce took two years to finalize after their 2011 split. Financial settlements and the public fallout from Kutcher's infidelity contributed to the prolonged process.

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Courteney Cox and David Arquette -

Courteney Cox and David Arquette, who met on the set of the 1996 horror film 'Scream,' tied the knot in 1999. They separated in 2010 and finalized their divorce three years later. Their split was notable for their commitment to co-parenting their daughter, Coco.

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Amy Poehler and Will Arnett -

The comedy actors tied the knot in 2003 and collaborated on numerous projects. They separated in 2012 and filed for divorce in 2014, but the divorce wasn't finalized until 2016.

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Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger -

The actors married in 1993 and separated in late 2000, but their divorce wasn't finalized until 2002. Baldwin later spoke about their contentious seven-year custody battle, claiming Basinger spent over US$1.5 million to restrict his access to their daughter, Ireland.

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Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison -

Harrison Ford wed screenwriter Melissa Mathison in 1984 and they had two children together. In 2000, they separated, coinciding with Ford being spotted with actress Lara Flynn Boyle. Their divorce was finalized in 2004, by which time Ford was already in a relationship with his current wife, Calista Flockhart.

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Liza Minnelli and David Gest -

Married from 2002 to 2003, Liza Minnelli and David Gest's divorce took five years to finalize, complicated by lawsuits and allegations from both sides, including Minnelli claiming Gest tried to poison her and Gest alleging that Minnelli gave him herpes. The proceedings dragged on until 2007, when the couple agreed to a no-fault divorce and dropped the other litigation.

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Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore -

In 2011, Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore finalized their divorce, two years after separating. Their split was significant due to Gibson's controversial public image and a massive financial settlement of approximately US$425 million.

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Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus -

The Cyruses, who share five children, including Miley and Noah, filed for divorce after 28 years of marriage in 2022. Although they had previously filed for divorce in 2010 and 2013, the third time was different, as court documents obtained by People revealed they had actually been separated since 2020.

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Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee -

Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee married in 1984 but separated after more than 20 years together, filing for divorce in 2008. Their divorce was finalized in late 2010.

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Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy -

After more than eight years of legal battles, Bethenny Frankel's divorce from Jason Hoppy concluded in January 2021. They split in 2012, but disputes took many years to get ironed out.

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Jesse Williams and Aryn Drake-Lee -

'Grey's Anatomy' star Jesse Williams faced a long legal battle with ex-wife Aryn Drake-Lee after their 2017 split. Married for over four years, they reached a settlement in September 2019, granting joint custody of their two children. Williams was ordered to pay US$40,000 monthly in child support but kept earnings from the show post-split. He was exempt from spousal support after settling past payments. In October 2020, a judge finalized their divorce, declaring them legally single as of August that year.

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Hulk Hogan and Linda Hogan -

Hulk and Linda Hogan finalized their divorce in 2009, which followed a tumultuous two-year separation. The couple had been married for 26 years, and their high-profile split drew significant media attention.

Sources: (People) (E! Online) (Vogue) (Us Weekly) (SheKnows)

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Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries -

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Armie Hammer and Elizabeth Chambers -

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Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet -

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Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan -

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner -

These two announced their split in June 2015, after 10 years of marriage. The couple then only finalized their divorce in October 2018, more than three years later.

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt -

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Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver -

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Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom -

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Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony -

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Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow -

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Demi Moore and Bruce Willis -

The actors finalized their divorce in 2000, two years after their separation. They share three daughters and have maintained a friendly relationship post-divorce.

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Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley -

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Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon -

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Richard Gere and Carey Lowell -

Actors Richard Gere and Carey Lowell tied the knot in late 2002 and were together for nearly 11 years before filing for divorce in 2013. Their divorce was finalized three years later, in 2016.

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Seal and Heidi Klum -

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Josh Duhamel and Fergie -

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Paul McCartney and Heather Mills -

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Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher -

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher's divorce took two years to finalize after their 2011 split. Financial settlements and the public fallout from Kutcher's infidelity contributed to the prolonged process.

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Courteney Cox and David Arquette -

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Amy Poehler and Will Arnett -

The comedy actors tied the knot in 2003 and collaborated on numerous projects. They separated in 2012 and filed for divorce in 2014, but the divorce wasn't finalized until 2016.

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Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger -

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Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison -

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Liza Minnelli and David Gest -

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Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore -

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Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus -

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Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee -

Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee married in 1984 but separated after more than 20 years together, filing for divorce in 2008. Their divorce was finalized in late 2010.

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Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy -

After more than eight years of legal battles, Bethenny Frankel's divorce from Jason Hoppy concluded in January 2021. They split in 2012, but disputes took many years to get ironed out.

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Jesse Williams and Aryn Drake-Lee -

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Hulk Hogan and Linda Hogan -

Sources: (People) (E! Online) (Vogue) (Us Weekly) (SheKnows)

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Celebrity divorces that took years to finalize

These famous divorces were painfully slow

05/12/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Breakups

Celebrity divorces are often as dramatic as the romances that precede them. While some stars part ways quickly, others find themselves entangled in lengthy legal battles that stretch on for years. From complex financial negotiations to contentious custody disputes, these divorces often become headline-grabbing sagas, with the process prolonged by their high-profile lives, public scrutiny, and unresolved personal conflicts.

Click on for a look at some of Hollywood's most drawn-out divorces that took years to finalize.