Divorce regret is a tough pill to swallow for many, and it's rarely something people admit to. But here's the inside scoop: we're in the know. And we're not just talking about our local clients. We're referring to a specific group of people who've experienced divorce regret firsthand: celebrities who apparently miss their exes quite a bit, and who we are sure have mourned their exes from their sprawling estates.
We’ve handpicked a few of these famous divorce regretters who shared some surprisingly insightful reasons why their divorces might not have been the best idea.
When splitting from the mother of your kids feels more painful than you imagined
Ben Affleck’s divorce from Jennifer Garner was as public as it was painful for Affleck. With tabloid headlines and social media buzzing about their private life, the heartbreak for the Oscar winning actor seemed deep. Affleck has openly admitted that part of his regret comes from losing the family life he had with Garner and the shared bond over their kids.
We don’t blame him; Ms. Garner seems sweet based on her Instagram posts and probably could kick some ass, if her movies are any proof.
When your child is too young to understand (and so are you)
Will Smith was divorced from his first wife, Sheree Zampino, when their son was only two years old. Smith has expressed regret about how young their child was at the time, hinting at the complexities of co-parenting toddlers amid separation.
Divorce is hard enough, but when little ones are involved, it’s a whole different challenge. Children that young don’t understand the upheaval, and parents often grapple with their own feelings while trying to keep things stable for their kids.
When hindsight makes your ex seem better than you gave them credit for
Kris Jenner once reflected on her divorce from Robert Kardashian, Sr. with a mix of nostalgia and a little regret. While the Kardashians made the split look dramatic enough for reality TV, Kris’s recent comments suggest she’s had second thoughts or at least some wistful memories.
You know you’re regretting a divorce when reruns of Keeping Up with the Kardashians feel like therapy. For all the headlines, sometimes it’s the quiet moments alone that make you reconsider what you left behind.
Washington law allows modifications to custody and parenting plans if family circumstances change. While we don’t have insider info on the Kardashians’ legal arrangements, it’s safe to say that navigating ex-spouse relationships can be complicated, even for wealthy, famous mommagers like Jenner.
When the divorce turns out to be the exact opposite of what you wanted
Gavin Rossdale, vocalist of the band Bush and former husband of Gwen Stefani, once openly admitted that his divorce was the complete opposite of what he wanted. Rather than a clean break or mutual understanding, things spiraled in a way that left him wishing for a different outcome.
Divorce is rarely straightforward, but when it backfires spectacularly, regret runs deep. It’s like signing up for a weekend retreat and ending up in a three-ring circus instead.
When the cost of divorce hits both heart and wallet
Bill Gates described his divorce from Melinda Gates as feeling like a “failure.” Many people can relate to that gut punch; divorce can feel like the end of a chapter that you hoped would last forever.
Of course, with Bill and Melinda, it wasn’t just a personal setback. The split also involved parting ways with their massive philanthropic partnership, The Gates Foundation (formerly the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), a symbol of their united front. And, just for good measure, billions in shared wealth needed to be divided.
If we’re to hazard a guess, the financial part probably added a little extra sting. Fun fact: Washington State, which is where the ex-couple divorced, is a community property state. This means assets acquired during marriage are generally considered jointly owned and divided fairly, although “fairly” doesn’t always mean exactly half, especially when complex assets and valuations are involved.
You can divorce with fewer (or no) regrets
Celebrity divorces may be more public and luxurious, but the regrets these personalities express are surprisingly familiar: parting with the parent of your children, second-guessing your choice, watching your plans unravel, dealing with young kids, and feeling like a personal failure. Whether you live in a mansion or a modest home, divorce regret can be real and painful.
If you want to navigate divorce, child custody, parenting plans, and the like without regrets (or media frenzy), reach out to family law attorneys LaGrandeur & Williams. Call us or leave us a message.