The celebrity divorces which stretched over decades

The last decade was full of celebrity divorces.

Updated on July 21, 2022 15:12 PM by Anthony Christian

The last decade was full of celebrity divorces. Hollywood's influential couples broke millions of hearts as they split.

There were some instances where the divorce proceedings and legal battles to dissolve their marriage were more extended than when they were together, offering so much material to gossip columns in newspapers and magazines.

Though the list is not all-inclusive, we have included all the major divorces that defined the past decade and act as fodder for entertainment news outlets.

Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger – 10 years

The couple was married for 25 years when Shriver filed for divorce from Arnold in 2011. This was when Arnold confessed he cheated on Shiver 10 years ago with Mildred Baena, their housekeeper. The couple declared their divorce in 2011 when the Terminator actor shared he had had a child with Baena from the days they had an affair. Arnold and Shriver have four children: Katherine, Christine, Patrick, and Christopher. Their divorce was finalized in December 2021.

Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy – 8 years

The alum of Real Housewives of New York and her ex-husband finalized their divorce in the month of January in2021 when a judge signed off their divorce judgment. This was over eight years after their separation. The couple got married in 2010, and after two years, in December 2012, the ex-Bravo star announced their separation. The two have a beautiful daughter Bryn.

John Schneider and Elvira Schneider – almost five years

After being married to each other for 21 years, Elvira filed for divorce from Schneider in December 2021. However, Elvira got a divorce from the Dukes of Hazzard actor in August 2019 when a judge signed off their divorce. Even before their divorce was finalized, John tied the knot to his longtime girlfriend, Alicia Allain, in the presence of his loved ones and friends in the month of July 2019. In 2018, John was sent to jail for three days when he didn't pay $150 000 as alimony to his estranged wife.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – 4 years

After two years of marriage, the Tomb Raider actress and the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor split in September 2016. Though they were declared legally single in 2019, their divorce hasn't been finalized till now. The couple hasn't known the terms of custody of their six children. Pitt wanted 50/50 physical and legal custody of the children. The actor celebrated and spent Christmas Eve with his three youngest children, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne.

But after, three months later, there was one more twist in their divorce proceedings when Jolie alleged Pitt of domestic violence. The filing stated that Maleficent and her three children were ready to prove against the Fight Club actor. Jolie was more than ready for her and the minor children's testimony. Sources say she has earlier also used their children to hurt Pitt. In 2021, Brad Pitt was granted joint custody of their children, but Jolie wanted to fight further.

Jesse Williams and Arya-Drake-Lee – 3.5 years

Arya had been married to Grey's Anatomy's star for four years when they decided to part their ways. The couple initially separated in 2017, which followed a long legal battle. They both got the physical and legal custody of their daughter Sadie and son Maceo in September 2019. It was stated that the real estate agent would have to pay $40,000 monthly for child support but could keep whatever he earned from the ABC series after their separation. Once he settled the two payments, he was not responsible for any type of spousal support. In October 2020, the judge signed off their divorce. They were considered single from the month of august of the same year.

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom – 3 years

After four years of their marriage, Khole filed for a divorce from the NBA star in December 2013. However, the Keeping Up With Kardashians star withdrew the papers in 2015 after L almost died because of an overdose. During those times, the author of Revenge Looks Better Naked took care of her estranged husband. When he was fine, Khole again filed for divorce in May 2016. Seven months later, the couple's divorce was finalized, and both parties denied spousal support.

Richard Gare and Carey Lowell – 3 years

The Pretty Woman star parted her ways from her husband Lowell in September 2013 after they had married each for eleven years. The couple showed maturity and resolved their son Homer's custody issue early on but didn't finalize their legal separation until 2016. Gare moved on and in 2018 married Alejandra Silva. The two had their first child, a son, Alexander, in February 2019.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony – 2 years

The couple separated from each other in 2011; in 2012, Anthony filed for divorce from Lopez. They have twins, Emme and Max. the two finalized their divorce in June 2016. The Hustlers actress was awarded primary custody of their children.

Amy Poehler and Will Arnett – 2 years

The LEGO Movie star and the Parks and Recreation alum were married to one another when they separated in September 2012. Arnett, who has two sons, Archie and Abel, with Amy, filed for divorce in April 2014. After two years, their divorce was finalized.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner – almost two years

Ben and Jennifer relesead a joint statement in 2015 where they both called quitting for ten years of their long marriage. Almost two years, they both filed for divorce in 2017. The 13 Going on 30 actresses and the Agro actor agreed to joint custody of three kids – Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel. A judge signed off their divorce in November 2018, making both of them officially single.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon – over two years

Mariah is a legendary songstress whose worth now is more than ten times compared to her former husband Cannon, a television personality. This gap was even wider when the couple decided to divorce each other. The couple dated for just six months and were married for six years.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries

The couple's love story was shown on Keeping Up with the Kardashian. Kim and the NBA player were engaged and then married within a year. Their marriage lasted for only 72 days when the TV personality filed for its annulment. Two years later, Kim was pregnant with Kanye West's child, but she was still legally married to Kris. In 2013, Kris and Kim were awarded dissolution of marriage.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin – over two years

Actress, entrepreneur, and Coldplay frontman famously announced their 'conscious uncoupling' in 2014. But the couple had already spilled a year earlier. Though their divorce was pretty amicable, it took over two years to finalize it. Both the celebs have an immense fortune, so it probably took time to figure out everything.