Divorce is admittedly very hard, but with scandals and custody battles built in, it’s downright difficult. Some top celebrities have dealt with divorce trauma first-hand, including Madonna, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Britney Spears, and others. Scroll through for some messy divorces in Hollywood.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Creator: MJ Kim| Credit: Getty Images | Copyright: 2005 Getty Images
The Hollywood couple, who eventually got a divorce in July 2012, could not see eye-to-eye when it came to raising their only daughter Suri with Scientology parenting. Katie, of Dawson's Creek fame, was raised a Catholic but had to convert to Tom’s religion after marrying him in 2005. She wanted to oversee how Suri was raised and rejected an exclusively Scientology education.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
The actress filed for divorce from her co-star in September 2016 after two years of marriage. Pitt was faced with child abuse accusations with his then-15-year-old adopted son Maddox on-board a private jet, which were cleared by the Los Angeles County Children and Family Services Department. A long custody battle then ensued for their six children, followed but they reached an agreement in November 2018.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard
The stars are in a bitter court battle after Amber filed for divorce in May 2016, after 15 months of marriage, accusing Depp of turning abusive towards her and secured a temporary domestic violence restraining order. The model wanted spousal support but withdrew her appeal. Depp and his lawyer have denied Heard’s abuse allegations.
Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon
Nick filed for divorce from the singer in December 2014 after confirming about living in separate houses for some time. The pair, married for 6 years, have now become cordial, celebrating holidays and big occasions with their twins, Monroe and Moroccan.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt
America's golden actor couple exchanged their vows in 2000, but by 2004 it was over, when rumours of an affair between Pitt and his co-star Angelina Jolie started circulating. Jolie and Pitt now have adopted and biological kids, but had a contentious divorce, after which Jen and Brad became friends again.
Britney Spears and Kevin Federline
Creator: J. Merritt | Credit: FilmMagic
A chaotic and rather short two-year marriage ended with the singer filing for divorce in November 2006. Federline got primary custody of their two sons.
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise
Kidman has was shocked after 10 years of marriage and adopting two children together, when Cruise filed for divorce in early 2001. Nicole has since married Keith Urban while Cruise has a 2-year-old daughter, Suri, with his third and former wife, Katie Holmes.
David Hasselhoff and Pamela Bach
After 16 years of marriage, the couple split in 2006. The actor pays $21,000 every month in spousal support to his ex-wife as they share custody of teenage daughters, Taylor and Hayley.
Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards
They married in June 2002, and the stars stayed together for about three years. The couple have two daughters, Lola and Sam.
Robin Williams and Marsha Garces
Creator: Ron Galella | Credit: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images | Copyright: 1995 Ron Galella, Ltd.
The couple fell in love back in 1989 when Garces was working as a nanny for the actor and comedian's oldest child, Zachary, but after 19 years of being married to each other, they decided to get a divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
Hulk and Linda Hogan
The WWE wrestler and his blonde wife went their different ways in 2007 after being married for 24 years and starring in four seasons of their reality show. Linda said that their relationship had become irretrievably broken.