It has been a banner year for celebrity divorce. There are couples we never thought would split, to a few we suspected would have a place on this list. The marriages span from 34 years to two months. The financial negotiations involve amounts that could fund small countries. Watching celebrities battle out their marital break-ups is a popular national past-time. From the sidelines, we offer this year in review.
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Britney Spears and Kevin Federline: We almost hate to put them at the top of the list, but these two just can’t be ignored. Britney and K-Fed have been the most watched, discussed and publicized break-up of the year. Their divorce was final March 29, ending their marriage of just more than two years. In the aftermath of their separation, Spears completed a stint in rehab, shaved her head and lost custody of her sons.
Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillipe: Witherspoon and Phillipe make the list for the disappointment factor. They seemed like a fairytale couple, but their divorce was finalized in October. They married in June 1999, and they have two children: Ava, 8, and Deacon, 4.
Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson: This high-profile couple was married for 6 years before their divorce was final in October. They married New Years Eve 2000, and had a son four years later. Although they separated amidst rumors that Hudson was involved with her costar, Owen Wilson, their divorce seemed amicable. They share custody of their son Ryder, 4. They had a prenuptial agreement, and Robinson did not seek support.
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown: We weren’t all that shocked, to be honest. The tumultuous relationship between Houston and Brown began more than 14 years ago. In the meantime, Brown was arrested several times for drug and alcohol charges. He spent abut three months in jail in 2004 for missing child support payments for two other children. In 2005, the couple starred in a BravoTV reality show Being Bobby Brown, for which cameras followed them through their lives. Houston filed for divorce in the fall of 2006, and then asked for a default judgment to push the process through the system quickly. Their divorce became final in April of this year. They have one daughter, Bobbie Kristina, 14, who lives with Houston.
Linda and Hulk Hogan: Yet another reality television family is having difficulties. The Hogan family, which stars in Hogan Knows Best for VH-1, has splintered. Linda Hogan filed for divorce from her husband in November, the day after Thanksgiving. Despite the talk taht it was a publicity ploy, the couple appears to have split for good. The couple was married for more than 20 years, and their marriage was considered one of the strongest in the wrestling world. They have two children, Brooke, 19, and Nick, 17.
