Most Surprising Celebrity Splits Divorces
Celebrity breakups happen all the time but every now and then one comes out of left field that leaves us thinking love is no longer real. Some of the most unexpected celebrity breakups leave us hoping it is all just tabloid speculation but once that joint statement gets shared, there is nothing left to do besides look back on the relationship that once was.
Breaking up is never easy, and these celebrities know that better than anyone. These stars parted ways with their significant others and, in the process, totally hit us right where it hurts: in our hearts.
The following splits, however, are truly unforgettable — we’re looking at you, Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner… and you, Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet. It’s always tough to see a relationship you’ve been in favor of (or at least mildly intrigued by) just crumble, and to see your favorite stars share divorce news on their Instagram can feel like a complete shock.
Everyone has their reasons, but man, couldn’t we have had a little bit of a warning? Okay, fine, we know we’re not going to get the advance news we so desperately want so… Here are all the celebrity couples who have called it quits without warning.
A version of this article was originally published in August 2017.
More from SheKnows
Best of SheKnows
Every Look Kate Middleton Has Worn to Trooping the Colour Since 2011
24 Actors Who You Forgot Have Impressive Singing Careers Too
Charles Spencer & Karen Spencer
The 9th Earl Spencer, Charles Spencer, and his wife of 13 years Karen Spencer confirmed their divorce in June 2024. He said to the DailyMail, “It is immensely sad. I just want to devote myself to all my children, and to my grandchildren, and I wish Karen every happiness in the future.”
The pair married in 2011 after meeting on a blind date. They welcomed one daughter named Lady Charlotte Diana Spencer in 2012; and reportedly split up after he released his memoir earlier in 2024.
Gerry Turner & Theresa Nist
Just three months after fans tuned into the televised wedding after stealing viewers hearts with their love story on The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist announced their plans to divorce on April 12, 2024.
“Theresa and I have had a number of heart to heart conversations and we’ve looked closely at our situation — our living situation — and we’ve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that it’s time for us to dissolve our marriage,” Turner said in a statement.
Eric McCormack & Janet Leigh Holden
In documents obtained by People in Nov 2023, Will & Grace star Eric McCormack and Janet Leigh Holden are getting a divorce, after 26 years together. The couple share one child.
Joshua Jackson & Jodie Turner-Smith
In 2023, Joshua Jackson and Jodie Turner-Smith have split up after nearly four years of marriage, just weeks after they were seen partying together.
Per DailyMail, Turner-Smith filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The pair started dating in 2018, and they married a year later after she proposed. They share one daughter named Juno Rose Diana Jackson, born April 2020.
Hugh Jackman & Deborra-Lee Jackman
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Jackman shocked us with their 2023 divorce after 24 years of marriage.
“We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,” the couple, who share two children together, said in a statement to People.
Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner
We were certainly hesitant to believe early reports of Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner’s 2023 divorce, just weeks after Turner happily posted photos with her husband of four years. However, after their tumultuos divorce proceedings began, it became clear that the two were past the point of return.
They started dating in 2016 after meeting through mutual friends, and later eloped in Las Vegas. They welcomed two daughters named Willa, born in July 2020, and another daughter, Delphina, in July 2022.
Britney Spears & Sam Asghari
After one year of marriage, Britney Spears and Sam Asghari separated in 2023. Per DailyMail, Asghari has allegedly moved out of their shared home. They started dating in 2016, and later got engaged in 2021.
Sofía Vergara & Joe Manganiello
This one really hurt. Sofía Vergara and Joe Manganiello revealed the decision to split up on July 17, 2023, to Page Six, saying, “We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives.”
This news comes after many fans were left confused over Manganiello’s cold-seeming birthday shout-out.
The pair met back in 2014 at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, and a few weeks after she split with Nick Loeb, Manganiello asked for her number. They were together for nearly 10 years, and their shock truly came as a surprise to everyone.
Billy Porter & Adam Smith
Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith called it quits in July, 2023, after six years of marriage.
“I can confirm that Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith have made the sad decision to end their marriage after six years,” the Pose actor’s rep Simon Halls told People. “The decision was an amicable and mutual one and was made after much consideration. They continue to love and support each other as they embark on this next chapter.”
Knowing how much these two were crazy about it other, and weren’t afraid to show some PDA either, this split was a true shocker.
Kevin Costner & Christine Baumgartner
In May 2023, Kevin Costner’s reps released a statement revealing that the Yellowstone actor’s wife Christine Baumgartner filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage.
Following the news, Costner’s reps released a statement. “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action,” his team shared.
“We ask that his, Christine’s, and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time,” the rep added.
The two share three children, sons Cayden and Hayes, and daughter Grace. They plan to share joint custody.
Kurt Iswarienko & Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko seemed like they would be together forever. Not only did they seem so in love and strong throughout Doherty’s heartbreaking cancer battle, but they took their relationship incredibly seriously. However, news broke that on April 21, 2023, after 11 years of marriage, Doherty filed for divorce.
Taylor Swift & Joe Alwyn
Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn shockingly called it quits in 2023. Per ETOnline, the two broke up a few weeks before the announcement on April 8, also reporting that the two split amicably. The former lovebirds seemed so happy together, even weeks before the breakup, so this news came as a shock for everyone.
The pair first started dating in 2017, and kept a low profile throughout their six years together.
Reese Witherspoon & Jim Toth
Days before their 12th wedding anniversary, Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth unexpectedly announced their divorce in 2023. The pair, who share 10-year-old Tennessee James, shared the news on Instagram.
“We have some personal news to share… It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce,” the statement read. “We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness and mutual respect for everything we have created together.”
The message continued, “Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter. These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. We truly appreciate everyone’s respect for our family’s privacy at this time.”
Peter Facinelli & Jennie Garth
Peter Facinelli and Jennie Garth were married for 11 years before calling it quits in 2012. The couple shares three daughters: Luca, Lola, and Fiona.
Shakira & Gerard Piqué
Shakira and Gerard Piqué’s June 2022 split amid allegations that the soccer star cheated on his longtime love took us totally by surprise.
In a statement, their teams revealed to Metro: “We regret to confirm that we are parting ways. For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy. Thank you for your understanding.”
The two were together for over a decade, welcoming two children named Milan and Sasha.
Marc Silverstein & Busy Philipps
Marc Silverstein and Busy Philipps seemed like a couple that would’ve lasted forever. However, it was revealed that the two lovebirds have separated as of Feb. 2021. During an episode of Philipps podcast Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best, “It’s been a really long time that Marc and I have been separated, and our kids know, our families know, our friends know… Marc and I talked about it, and when we first separated, we couldn’t even think about putting one of those statements out — it made us sick, both of us, truly ill.”
She added, “It’s been a journey. We love each other — very much! And we have these beautiful kids together. And there are a lot of things that really work about our relationship.”
The two married back in 2007, welcoming two children named Birdie and Cricket.
Jason Momoa & Lisa Bonet
Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet shocked all of Hollywood when they announced their separation in January 2022. “We have all felt the squeeze and changes of these transformational times… A revolution is unfolding — and our family is of no exception… feeling and growing from the seismic shifts occurring,” they shared in the since-deleted Instagram post. “And so — We share our Family news — That we are parting ways in marriage.” The former couple started dating in 2005 and married in 2017. They share two children together.
Gigi Hadid & Zayn Malik
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid ended their relationship in 2021, after dating on and off since 2015. The split came after reports of an alleged confrontation between Malik and Gigi’s mom, Yolanda Hadid, in which Yolanda was allegedly pushed.
Malik publicly denied the allegations but pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 90 days of probation and ordered to attend anger management classes.
The former couple welcomed daughter Kai in September 2020.
Bill & Melinda Gates
Bill and Melinda Gates shocked the world with a Twitter announcement in May 2021 that they were ending their marriage after 27 years together.
“After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage,” they wrote. “Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives. We continue to share a belief in that mission, and will continue our work together at the foundation, but no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives. We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life.”
Kelly Clarkson & Brandon Blackstock
After nearly seven years Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock decided to end their marriage in 2020 — and while it may come as shocking news to us fans, it seems there was trouble brewing beneath the surface that the duo was determined to keep out of the public eye.
In the years since the split, the duo battled it out in court over allegations that Blackstock had acted unlawfully and withheld money from his wife while acting as her manager.
The couple share two kids together: River Rose, and son Remington Alexander.
Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan
In early April 2018, both Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan posted the same statement indicating that they were amicably separating after nine years of marriage. The couple, who have one daughter together, first met while filming Step Up in 2006.
As of 2024, the duo are still battling it out in court over their divorce settlement despite being engaged to other people.
Taylor Kinney & Lady Gaga
Though the Chicago Fire star and the “Born This Way” singer seemed like a match made in heaven after meeting on the set of Gaga’s “You And I” video in 2011. But the couple ended their yearlong engagement in July 2016.
Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt
This relationship ended just as dramatically as it began. Pitt left then-wife Jennifer Aniston for Jolie in 2005, creating years of tabloid fodder. Fast forward through six children and a 2014 wedding, and Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 amid allegations against Pitt for abuse and alcohol dependency.
Gina Torres & Laurence Fishburne
After 14 years of marriage, Torres and Fishburne announced their amicable split in 2017. Torres was seen kissing a mystery man the day before they announced their divorce.
Chris Pratt & Anna Faris
A long-time fan favorite, Jurassic World star Chris Pratt and Mom star Anna Faris announced their legal separation in August 2017 after eight years of marriage. The pair met in 2007 on the set of the film Take Me Home Tonight and they have one son together, Jack.
Jesse Williams & Aryn Drake-Lee
In 2017, Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams divorced his wife, Aryn Drake-Lee after more than a decade together.
He took time to clear that air over rumors of an acrimonious split by saying, “I was in a relationship 13 years, 13 real years, not 5 years, not 7 years, 13 years and all of a sudden motherf*ckers are writing think-pieces that I somehow threw a 13-year relationship—like the most painful experience I’ve had in my life like with a person I’ve loved with all of my heart—that I threw a person and my family in the trash because a girl I work with [alleged love interest Minka Kelly] is cute.”
Rachel Bilson & Hayden Christensen
While 2000s teen hearts broke everywhere when Rachel Bilson split from her The O.C. co-star Adam Brody in 2006, it didn’t take long for both Bilson and her supporters to move on to Hayden Christensen later that same year.
The couple got engaged in 2008, broke things off in 2010, reunited months later, welcomed a daughter in 2014 and then called things off for good in 2017 giving us all whiplash once again!
Fergie & Josh Duhamel
It seemed like smooth sailing for Fergie and Josh Duhamel who met in 2004, married in 2009 and welcomed their son Axl in 2013. But things took a turn eight years into their marriage and the pair annouced their separation in a joint statement in September 2017.
Janet Jackson & Wissam Al Mana
After welcoming a son together in 2017, Janet Jackson and Wissam Al Mana announced they were divorcing. The pair were reportedly together for over five years and now their split could possibly net Jackson millions in the settlement.
Diane Kruger & Joshua Jackson
Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson couple called it quits in 2016 after a decade-long romance.
The private couple didn’t give a reason for their split but Kruger did reveal in a 2023 interview that she had struggled to conceive a baby during a relationship in her mid-thirties. She went on to welcome a baby with Norman Reedus in 2018 while Jackson had a baby with Jodie Turner-Smith in 2020.
Naomi Watts & Liev Schreiber
Certified Hollywood power couple Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber dated from 2005 until 2016 and welcomed two sons together. They broke out hearts with their split announcement that read: “It is with great love, respect, and friendship in our hearts that we look forward to raising our children together and exploring this new phase of our relationship.”
Both remarried in 2023 with Watts tying the knot to Billy Crudup and Schreiber marrying Taylor Niesen a month before welcoming a baby girl in August of that year.
Drew Barrymore & Will Kopelman
It seemed like Drew Barrymore had finally found her happily ever after when she started dating Will Kopelman in 2011. After marrying the following year, the couple welcomed daughters in 2012 and 2014 but called off their marriage in 2016.
Kirsten Dunst & Garrett Hedlund
The Fargo star and her Unbroken actor boo dated for four years, but ended their relationship in 2016.
Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck
Hollywood royalty Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck called it 2015 after 10 years of marriage and three kids amid allegations that Affleck had a fling with their nanny.
The exes have been co-parenting amicably ever since.
Summer Phoenix & Casey Affleck
Almost a year after brother Ben split from Jennifer Garner, Casey Affleck split from his wife, Joaquin Phoenix’s sister Summer. The pair were married for 10 years before deciding to separate in March 2016. They have two sons born in 2004 and 2007.
Jennifer Meyer & Tobey Maguire
Jennifer Meyer and Tobey Maguire in 2007 after dating for four years, but called it quits after nine years of marriage. “After much soul searching and consideration we have made the decision to separate as a couple,” Maguire and Meyer said in a joint statement to People. “As devoted parents, our first priority remains raising our children together with enduring love, respect and friendship.”
Mary J. Blige & Kendu Isaacs
Mary J. Blige filed for divorce from her husband of 12 years in July citing “irreconcilable differences.”
Jana Kramer & Mike Caussin
After just one year of marriage, the country couple called it quits just months after the birth of their daughter Jolie Rae — and Caussin quickly entered rehab for undisclosed reasons. Kramer gave a pretty obvious hint about what caused the split when she posted a video of herself on Instagram at a concert singing “Before He Cheats,” and captioned it “music=therapy.”
Vanilla Ice & Laura Van Winkle
Vanilla Ice’s wife of almost 20 years, Laura Van Winkle, filed for divorce in October 2016, TMZ reported.
