Celebrity weddings — and divorces

From Kate Middleton’s fairy tale union with Prince William, to reality TV princess Kim Kardashian’s extravagant marriage to Kris Humphries, over-the-top ceremonies have become the norm for celebrities. But as dramatic as the weddings have been in recent months, so, too, are the divorces.

5 Seconds

00:00

Heidi Klum and Seal announced their separation in a statement Jan. 22, 2012. After "much soul searching," the power couple said they have decided to separate, and blame the breakup on "growing apart." They married in 2005 and have four children.

Chris Pizzello / AP

Following months of anticipation after the announcement of their engagement in November 2010, Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton — now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge — wed during a lavish ceremony on April 29, 2011. The day’s events were broadcast across the world, with nearly 23 million Americans alone watching the couple exchange vows.

John Stillwell / AFP/Getty Images

In a slightly less aggrandized royal wedding, Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and 13th in line for the throne, and England rugby player Mike Tindall were married in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 30, 2011.

/ AFP/Getty Images

Monaco celebrated its first royal wedding in 45 years as Charlene Whitstock married Prince Albert, July 2, 2011. The ceremony was Monaco’s first royal wedding since Albert’s parents, Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly, were married in 1956. The celebration was spread over three days, and included civil and religious ceremonies, a concert by the Eagles and firework displays.

Andreas Rentz / Getty Images

Bhutan also celebrated a royal wedding akin to Britain’s, as His Majesty, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wed Ashi Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, a commoner, making her the queen of the small country. In this final day of wedding celebrations for the royal wedding, more than 50,000 people turned up at the stadium with about 500 performers to entertain the guests.

Triston Yeo

Reality star Kim Kardashian married Kris Humphries in a giant, black and white themed ceremony on Aug. 20, 2011. The festivities reportedly cost $20 million and were broadcast in a four-hour exclusive on the E! network. Humphries filed for an annulment 72 days after the couple wed.

Evan Agostini / AP

Country music stars Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton wed at a Texas ranch on May 14, 2011, in front of 550 guests.

Evan Agostini / AP

Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey had a small wedding ceremony on a tropical island with 35 friends and family members on July 12, 2011. Lachey is the host of NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” while Minnillo hosts ABC’s “Wipeout.”

Jason DeCrow / AP

Designer Michael Kors and long-time companion Lance LePare were married Oct. 5, 2011, a few months after lawmakers legalized same-sex marriage in New York.

Evan Agostini / Getty Images

Singer Shania Twain and husband Frederic Thiebaud wed on New Year’s Day in Puerto Rico.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Actress Reese Witherspoon married entertainment agent Jim Toth at her private ranch estate on March 25, 2011.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Singer LeAnn Rimes and actor Eddie Cibrian were married in April. The couple met on the set of the movie “Northern Lights” and had an affair while both were married to other people.

Fred Prouser / Reuters

Candice Crawford and NFL player Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys wed on May 28, 2011, and in November, confirmed they are expecting their first child.

Michael Loccisano

Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig tied the knot in a private ceremony after dating for six months.

Bowers / Getty Images

British singer Lily Allen married home designer Sam Cooper in June at St. James the Great Church in Cranham, Goucestershire, England.

Andrew Winning / Reuters

Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez are still negotiating the terms of their divorce, which they announced in July after seven years of marriage.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

Demi Moore announced "with sadness" on Nov. 17, 2011, the end of her high-profile marriage to Ashton Kutcher, after his reported infidelity with a woman less than half her age. The confirmation comes after months of media reports about problems between the couple, who married in 2005 when she was 42 and he was 27. She had earlier been married to actor Bruce Willis for 13 years.

Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images

Actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s divorce from Lisa Ann Russell was finalized in May, a few months before he proposed to new girlfriend Catriona McGinn.

David Livingston / Getty Images

Maria Shriver filed for divorce from former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in July, shortly after he acknowledged that he fathered a child more than 10 years ago with a member of his household staff.

/ Reuters

Vanessa Bishop filed for divorce from Bishop Long, Dec. 1, 2011, after more than 20 years of marriage, but says she plans to withdraw the petition.

John Amis / AP

Hulk Hogan and ex-wife Linda Boella reached a financial settlement in November after Bollea filed for divorce in 2009. Linda Boella will receive 40 percent ownership in the wrestler’s various companies and $3 million in a property settlement.

Evan Agostini / Getty Images

Fred Armisen, who regularly portrays President Obama on "Saturday Night Live," divorced wife Elisabeth Moss of ”Mad Men” in May.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

Hollywood A-listers Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds filed for divorce on Dec. 23, 2010, citing irreconcilable differences, which was finalized in July.

Gabriel Bouys / AFP/Getty Images

Tareq Salahi filed for divorce from his wife, Michaela Salahi, this fall, after she ran away with Neal Schon, the guitarist from Journey.

Peter Kramer / NBC via AP

Buzz Aldrin filed for divorce from his third wife, Lois, in June.

Chris Pizzello / AP

Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn and her husband have started divorce proceedings, the U.S. skier confirmed on Nov. 27. Vonn has been married to Thomas Vonn, who also serves as her chief adviser, for four years.

Alessandro Della Bella / AP

Actress/SAG President Melissa Gilbert filed for divorce from actor Bruce Boxleitner in August after a 16-year marriage.

Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images

Tony Hawk filed for divorce from his third wife, Lhotse Hawk, in February after five years of marriage.

David Becker

Ruben Studdard, the second season winner of “American Idol,” called it quits with wife Zuri in November. They had been married for three years.

Jeff Gentner / Getty Images

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: Many seminary graduates are choosing not to become pastors. Rebecca J. Cole received her Master of Divinity and is becoming a community organizer on Capitol Hill. She hugs another graduate after the ceremony. The 2013 Commencement ceremony for Wesley Theological Seminary was held on May 13 at the Washington National Cathedral. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

Eager to minister, but not from the pulpit

An increasing number of divinity students who don’t plan to become pastors envision using their degrees to “minister” in a...

ARLINGTON, VA- MAY 17: Thousands of bike enthusiasts took to the streets Friday, May 17, 2013 in celebration of Bike to Work day. Bikers leave the Rosslyn Gateway Park pit stop on Friday morning. Commuter Connections and The Washington Area Bicyclist Association hosted cyclists at 70 pit stops across the metropolitan region. (Photo by Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)

Thousands participate in Bike to Work Day

More than 14,000 people registered for the area's annual celebration of commuting on two wheels.

epa03704474 A Muslim woman at the ThetKalPyin temporary relief camp near Sittwe in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar, 17 May 2013. A total of 13 people were confirmed dead in neighboring Bangladesh as people began to return home from shelters, a day after Cyclone Mahasen hit the coast, officials said 17 May. EPA/NYEIN CHAN NAING

Photos of the day

Cyclone Mahasen, Texas tornadoes, puffin census, melting Swiss glacier and more.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 16: American Idol Season 12 Winner Candice Glover (C) is seen onstage during Fox's 'American Idol 2013' Finale Results Show at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Candice Glover wins 12th season of ‘American Idol’

The 23-year-old vocal powerhouse from St. Helena Island, S.C., tops competition in her third try.

US actress Claire Julien smiles on May 16, 2013 while posing during a photocall for the film 'The Bling Ring' at the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. Cannes, one of the world's top film festivals, opened on May 15 and will climax on May 26 with awards selected by a jury headed this year by Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Claire Julien, David Hasselhoff, Freida Pinto, Candice Glover, Martin Short and more.

**LOC IMAGE** Geo. Hamilton, Assistant Superintendent, Cambria Iron Mills house, Johnstown Flood, May 31st, 1889. (Photo by Ernest Walter Histed / Library of Congress)

The Johnstown Flood of 1889

On May 31, 1889, the South Fork dam that held Lake Conemaugh failed, and 20 million tons of water descended upon Johnstown, Pa. The flood claimed the lives of 2,209 people and spurred...

HACIPASA, TURKEY - MAY 5: Syrian refugee Hala ponders her life on the run on Sunday, May 5, 2013, in Hacipasa, Turkey. Three times this morning, the sounds of aircrafts were followed by explosions that shook the ground. Hacipasa, which sits just across the river border from Syria, is home of several hundred Syrian refugees who have been displaced by their home country's conflict. For a year, Hala and her family have been displaced from their home village in Syria because of violent conflict. After bouncing from village to village, fleeing bombings that seemed to follow them, the family crossed into Turkey six weeks ago. Initially, the family was deported back into Syria, where they lived in camps for internally displaced Syrians. But when the camps were bombed, the family was allowed to cross into Turkey. Hala said, 'The blood of the people who died in Syria, the martyrs, is our sad song, but nobody is listening.' (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Turkey faces a refugee crisis

More than 400,000 Syrians have crossed into Turkey seeking refuge from the conflict at home. Finding its resources stretched, Turkey is urgently appealing for international aid and...

(FILES) In this file picture taken on January 31, 2013 British football player David Beckham poses presenting his new jersey after a press conference at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. David Beckham is to retire from professional football at the end of the season, his representative announced on May 16, 2013. The 38-year-old midfielder has played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and AC Milan, as well as winning 115 caps for England, and recently won the French Ligue 1 championship with Paris Saint-Germain. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFEFRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

David Beckham announces his retirement

The 38-year-old British soccer superstar says he will retire when his French team’s season ends May 26.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.