" on the spur of the moment , I realized everything that was great about my matrimony … "
Like marriage, divorce is not a decision to be taken lightly. While there are examples of couples reconciling (and even remarrying) after a split, those stories are few and far between. Often, after a marriage ends — especially in the public eye — the “bridges” between a couple are far too burnt to ever recross…
After the initial turmoil, some individuals, whether famous or not, ultimately regret ending their marriage. Many celebrities have been outspoken about the reasons why they regret their divorces, and even their roles in the unraveling of previous relationships. So, without further ado, here are 10 celebrities who publicly admitted their divorce regrets:
1.Kris Jenner:
The marriage: As Krisrecountedduring a 2022 episode ofTheMartha StewartPodcast,she first metRobert Kardashianat a horse race in California, “I met him when I was 17, almost 18. I met him at the Del Mar race track, and I was there with some friends — I wasn’t old enough to place a bet, so I had to stand over to the side of the people, the betting window. My friends were betting, and I would give them my $3, and they would place a bet for me. He came up to me and introduced himself, and that’s how we met.”
The divorce: In 1989, Kris began an affair with professional soccer player-turned-animator Todd Waterman. In her 2011 autobiography, the now-69-year-oldwrote, “That kiss [between her and Waterman] was more than amazing; it was like a revival, a resuscitation, an awakening from some long, deep, unconscious sleep…It made me feel young, attractive, sexy, and alive. Along with these feelings came a wave of nausea. I actually wanted to throw up at the same time. Because it dawned on me that I had not felt that way with Robert for years.”
After Kris confessed to the affair , she and Robert divorced in 1991 .
The regret: Jenner described the divorce as one of the “biggest regrets” of her life.Writing, “I had lost Robert. Suddenly, I realized everything that was great about my marriage. Robert was the greatest guy in the world. He would never cheat on me. He only wanted the best for me.”
2.Will Smith:
The marriage: During a 2018 episode ofRed Table Talk,the now 56-year-oldrevealedhe met his first wife, Sheree Zampino, in 1991 on the set ofA Different World —although he initially visited the sitcom in hopes of meeting Jada: “The dude that was going to introduce me to Jada was with another girl and I was like ‘Who is that?' I went toDifferent Worldto meet Jada, and met Sheree and ended up marrying Sheree and having [my son] Trey with Sheree.”
The divorce: Within the same year, Zampinofiledfor divorce, claiming that Will’s drastic increase in fame caused the marital rift.
The regret: In the 2020 Father’s Day episode ofRed Table Talk, the “Gettin' Jiggy Wit It” singersat downwith host (and wife) Jada Pinkett-Smith to discuss their co-parenting journey with Zampino (who was also present during the interview).
3.Bill Gates:
The marriage: Bill and Melinda French Gates met in 1987 when she took a job in product development at Microsoft. However, their meeting wasn’t love at first sight; in the 2019 docuseries,Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates, Billrevealed, “When we first met, she had other boyfriends, and I had Microsoft.”
The divorce: In May 2021, the tech power coupleannouncedthey were splitting in a joint statement on X: “After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage. 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 we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives.”
The divorce wasfinalizedon August 2 , 2021 . Although the full fiscal details of the resolution have never been revealed , it was observe that Melinda wasallocatedover $ 2 million in stocks and shares .
After decease her co - chair position at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , now simply have intercourse as the Gates Foundation , the 60 - year - old wrote in astatementon X : " Under the terms of my agreement with Bill , in leaving the introduction , I will have an extra $ 12.5 billion to commit to my work on behalf of fair sex and families . "
The regret: In January 2025, while promoting his autobiography,Source Code: My Beginnings,GatestoldtheTimes of Londonthat his divorce was “at the top of the list” of his failures in life and “the divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.”
4.Ben Affleck:
The marriage: Affleck and Jennifer Garner firstmetin 2000 on the set of the war filmPearl Harbor,in which Affleck starred as Captain Rafe McCawley, and Garner had a small part as a nurse named Sandra. However, during the couple’s initial meeting, Garner was married toFelicityco-star Scott Foley.
The divorce: Days after their tenth anniversary, Garner and Affleckannouncedthey were divorcing: “After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce. We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time. This will be our only comment on this private, family matter. Thank you for understanding.”
In March 2017 , Affleck complete rehab andthankedGarner for her support on Facebook , " I have complete treatment for alcohol habituation ; something I ’ve mete out with in the past and will continue to confront . I desire to be lifespan to the full and be the best father I can be . I need my kids to make love there is no shame in capture help when you need it , and to be a beginning of strength for anyone out there who need help but is afraid to take the first pace . I ’m lucky to have the love of my family and friends , including my carbon monoxide gas - parent , Jen , who has support me and wish for our kids as I ’ve done the work I set out to do . This was the first of many steps being taken towards a positive recovery . "
The following month , he and Garner officiallyfiledfor divorce , which wasfinalizedon October 5 , 2018 .
The regret: In 2020, Affleckopened upto theNew York Timesabout how his divorce and alcohol misuse were related, “I drank relatively normally for a long time. What happened was that I started drinking more and more when my marriage was falling apart. This was 2015, 2016. My drinking, of course, created more marital problems.”
5.Courteney Cox:
The marriage: During an 2009 interview, David Arquetterecalledthat he and Cox first met at a pre-filming party forScream,“I was being a little cocky and Courteney was like, ‘Ah, I’ve heard of you,’ and we just kept flirting for a while. She’s just so gorgeous and she jokes around so much.”
The divorce: In October 2010, the coupleannouncedthey were undergoing a “trial separation” period with a joint statement: “We remain best friends and responsible parents to our daughter and we still love each other deeply. As we go through this process we are determined to use kindness and understanding to get through this together.”
Arquette ’s rep confirmed that the actor had entered a rehab program three months later . Coxreleaseda statement of support , tellingPeople,“I really admire David and his option to take charge and better his lifetime . " She added , " I hump and support him . "
A month later , Arquette checked out after make out his treatment and chitchat theOprah Winfrey Showa few weeks later , where hespokeabout the state of his marriage,“I want her [ Cox ] to be felicitous . If me being the best person I can be does n’t make her happy in a cooperator , in who she ask , whatever she ’s looking for , that ’s still to be answered . ” He add that he did n’t know if a glad ending was possible , but that he ’d “ love for it to work out . ”
However , the couple officiallyfiledfor divorce on June 8 , 2012 , which wasfinalizedthe follow May .
The regret: The following year, CoxtoldMore, “When you love someone, you want them to be happy, even if it’s not with you.”
6.Shaquille O’Neal:
The marriage: Shortly after moving from Florida to California in 1996 to join the Los Angeles Lakers, Shaqmetfilm marketer and future wife, Shaunie Nelson.
The divorce: In September 2007, Shaqfiledfor divorce in Miami. The petition from his lawyer stated: “The marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken.”
However , by the next August , the couple had called off the divorce , with Shaunietellingthe Associated Press , " Neither one of us could probably suffice why we were getting one in the first stead . Things have been going so keen , that someone really had to remind us that ' Hey , you do remember those papers are still there . ' Literally , it was days ago . “The Basketball Wivescreator added , " So , we ’ve agreed that before we leave Florida we ’ll check that that that ’s gone off . "
But by 2009 , their married couple was on the rocks again , this time Shaunie register for breakup , bring up irreconcilable departure and seeking full detainment of their child . A year after , the couplereacheda settlement .
The regret: In his 2011 memoir,Shaq Uncut: My Story, the NBA Hall of Famer first expressed regret for the way he handled his marriage and admitted to infidelity, as well as not being the “best partner.”
In her 2024 memoir,Undefeated: Changing the Rules and Winning on My Own Terms, Henderson wrote of her ex’s infidelities, “Looking back, I don’t know that I was ever really in love with the man,” she wrote. “I was in love with the idea of being married to the man I had a family with. I was in love with the idea of building a life together.”
The twenty-four hours after the book ’s release , Shaq take to Instagram in a post many commenters view as " mature,“writing : “ I infer … I would n’t have been in love with me either . Wishing you all the best … All sexual love , Shaq . ' He captioned the Emily Post , “ Trust me i get it . "
7.Gavin Rossdale:
The marriage: Rossdale and Gwen Stefani firstcrossedpaths in 1995 while their bands (Bush and No Doubt) were performing at a concert for an LA radio station.
The divorce: In August 2015, the couple unexpectedlyannouncedtheir divorce with a joint statement: “While the two of us have come to the mutual decision that we will no longer be partners in marriage, we remain partners in parenthood and are committed to jointly raising our three sons in a happy and healthy environment.”
The regret: During a March 2024 interview on Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes’s podcast,Amy & T.J., Rossdalerevealedthat his “clearest, simplest shame” was giving his sons a “broken home.”
8.Ryan Phillippe:
The marriage: Philippe and ex Reese Witherspoon first crossed paths in March 1997. During an interview withJanemagazine the following year, theLegally Blondestarclaimedthey met at her 21st birthday party. “I don’t know what came over me — maybe the seven Midori sours — but I told him, ‘I think you’re my birthday present.’ He thought it was so flattering and now that I think about it…how embarrassing!”
The divorce: On 3 March 2025, the coupleannouncedthey were going their separate ways in a joint statement through their rep: “We are saddened to announce that Reese and Ryan have decided to formally separate. They remain committed to their family and we ask that you please respect their privacy and the safety of their children at this time.”
Witherspoon officiallyfiledfor divorcement on November 8 , 2006 , citing " irreconcilable divergence . " The divorce wasfinalizedon October 5 , 2007 , with final arrangements get back the following June . The exes were granted joint custody of their children .
The regret: In February 2008, Philippeopened uptoWmagazine and claimed his divorce was “the darkest, saddest place I’ve ever been.”
9.Vicki Gunvalson:
The marriage:Real Housewives of Orange Countystars Vicki and Don Gunvalson married in 1994 and founded Coto Insurance and Financial Services the same year.
The divorce: However, by October 2010, Vickifiledfor divorce. At the time she toldPeople, “Donn has been an important part of my life and he will continue to be. Anyone who has gone through a divorce understands that this is a personal matter and a difficult time in our lives. It’s amicable and we are not at odds with one another. It’s just time.”
In the June 2011RHOCreunion installment , Donntoldhis side of the account to host Andy Cohen , " I ground out that Vicki charge for divorce when the procedure server showed up at my office . From the get - go , the time I was call for Vicki to give me and our clock time together just did n’t happen . " He continued , " Every evening , she was form late , and her trips would become longer , and she ’d call less and less . It was distinctive Vicki — she direct [ the divorce ] , that ’s how she flap . "
" Vicki should finger spoiled she wound me . What she did was not cool in anybody ’s oculus . A wedding and a humans should be care for with dignity . I do n’t think how this went down was treated with class or dignity and I deserve both , " he conclude .
The regret: At BravoCon 2022, during the “Right the Relationship” panel, Vicki recalled her “biggest regret” was divorcing Donn,tellingthe audience, “I divorced my husband for Brooks [Ayers] and it’s the biggest regret I ever had…I will never, ever cheat again. It destroyed my family.”
Gunvalson and Ayers broke up in August 2015 after sheclaimedthat he had duped her by posit he had been diagnosed with malignant neoplastic disease . In November 2015 , Ayersadmittedto falsifying documents about his cancer treatment , but not the diagnosis itself .
Since 2022 , Gunvalson has beendatingentrepreneur Michael Smith .
