Breaking up is hard to do whether it be divorce or simply separation. It is even more complicated when kids are involved. Celebs are not immune to the human phenomenon.
The 10 couples on this list called it quits and then had some major disagreements. They couldn’t agree how to handle custody of the kids and made headlines in the process. Here’s all the family drama.
Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez|Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez|Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas
The Jonas Brothers singer and Game of Thrones star first met in 2016 when Joe slide into Sophie’s DMs on Instagram. Wedding bells rang in 2019. They share two daughters. In September of 2023, Joe filed for divorce.
Things quickly got messy. Sophie sued Joe, claiming he was withholding the girls’ passports and refusing to let them travel to England to be with her. The case was dropped when a new parenting agreement was reached after the couple underwent mediation for child custody. This temporary agreement expired in January of 2024. In March 2024, Sophie filed to reopen the divorce case, which was put on hold during the custody battle. There’s no resolution in sight.
Ciara and Future
Rapper Future and singer Ciara first met on the job. Sparks flew in the studio in 2012. He proposed the following year, and in 2014 a baby was on the way. That same year, before the wedding could happen, cheating rumors abounded and the couple broke up. Future Zahir Wilburn was born on May 19, 2014.
The following year, Ciara began to date now-husband Russell Wilson. In 2016, Future went off on the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and his ex on Twitter and in interviews. Ciara sued Future for defamation. By 2017, she dropped the lawsuit and agreed to joint custody of their son after previously seeking to be the sole guardian.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie filed for divorce in 2016. Angelina alleges that Brad physically and verbally assaulted her and their kids on their private plane. The couple have been fighting it out in court for eight years. They share six kids: Maddox, Pax, Sahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox. Only the twins are minors these days. Several of their siblings have chosen to drop their father’s last name and replace it with their mother’s maiden name.
Britney Spears and Kevin Federline
Britney first met backup dancer Kevin in 2004. He had been working for her ex, Justin Timberlake. They were married that same year but divorced in 2007. They share two sons: Sean Preston and Jayden James. At first, Britney asked for sole custody but then agreed to equal.
In 2008, things got complicated when she was placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold. Kevin was granted sole custody. In 2018, he asked for more child support, which Britney feared he would use against her if she didn’t increase her payments. She agreed to pay $35,000 a month. In 2019, she was granted 30% custody.
In 2023, Kevin and his wife Victoria Prince moved their family to Hawaii. They share two daughters. Sean and Jayden were included in this move with Britney’s consent.|Britney first met backup dancer Kevin in 2004. He had been working for her ex, Justin Timberlake. They were married that same year but divorced in 2007. They share two sons: Sean Preston and Jayden James. At first, Britney asked for sole custody but then agreed to equal.
In 2008, things got complicated when she was placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold. Kevin was granted sole custody. In 2018, he asked for more child support, which Britney feared he would use against her if she didn’t increase her payments. She agreed to pay $35,000 a month. In 2019, she was granted 30% custody.
In 2023, Kevin and his wife Victoria Prince moved their family to Hawaii. They share two daughters. Sean and Jayden were included in this move with Britney’s consent.
Usher and Tameka Foster|Usher and Tameka Foster
Usher and Tameka first met when she worked as his stylist. Sparks flew among the clothing racks, and the couple was married in 2007 but divorced by 2009. They share two sons: Usher V and Naviyd Ely. The custody battled lasted three years.
Ultimately Usher was granted primary custody in 2012. Tameka tried to argue that Usher neglected his kids, but the court ruled otherwise.|Usher and Tameka first met when she worked as his stylist. Sparks flew among the clothing racks, and the couple was married in 2007 but divorced by 2009. They share two sons: Usher V and Naviyd Ely. The custody battled lasted three years.
Ultimately Usher was granted primary custody in 2012. Tameka tried to argue that Usher neglected his kids, but the court ruled otherwise.
Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis|Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis
Olivia and Jason first met at an SNL wrap party in 2011. They wouldn’t start dating until six months later. They got engaged in 2012 but never married, breaking up in 2020. They share two children: Otis and Daisy.
Things got heated when Olivia was publicly served custody papers in April 2022 at CinemaCon. She was in the middle of giving a presentation about her film Don’t Worry Darling. Jason claimed this was not his intention. Lots of emotionally charged words were said in the press. This kicked off a year and a half custody battle, which eventually ended in 2023 with the pair agreeing to share parenting duties.
