Ashley Darby confirmed that she and Michael are divorcing in an exclusive statement to The Daily Dish on Tuesday (April 19).“Almost eight years ago, when Michael and I said ‘I do,’ we anticipated sharing every single day together from that moment forward. Unfortunately, that is not our current reality. We have decided to separate. We are aware that there will be many speculative views as to why we have made this decision. People will be quick to assume that the causes were too much intrusion by reality TV into the most personal parts of our lives, age gap issues, cultural problems, or child-rearing differences. Pieces of all these may have affected our pure love for each other, but no one reason is the root cause of our mutual decision to go our separate ways.”
“We are now both at very different stages in our lives and have different goals for our futures. We both want the other to achieve true happiness and fulfillment and feel that we cannot do this together. While our romantic bond is broken, we will always love and respect each other. We also know that true happiness can only be achieved by continuing to work together and putting our hearts and souls into raising our two beautiful boys, Dean and Dylan. They will always feel loved and supported, for they were truly created out of love. As this is a personal matter for us, we appreciate everyone who has been a part of our journey and ask for your continued support by respecting us as we go through this emotional situation.”
Am I the only one a little bit surprised by this? I am trying to remember what her prenup says. Something about the five year mark? Does anyone recall? She has two kids that will be receiving child support. So she kind of maintained her bag as the kids say. What are your thoughts?
Yes. You are the only one surprised.
I wonder what Ashley’s storyline will be now that it won’t be constantly defending Michael. More interesting, for sure.
I always remember overhearing a conversation in the grocery store. One woman ran into an old friend and they were catching up. One of the women said she wanted to divorce her husband but she got pregnant with a second child first so she would have two kids. Smart or selfish? How can you have another child with someone you dont even want to be with anymore?
I’ve known women who did this. They want more children, but want the same father because it seems less complicated. I would say it could be both smart and selfish.
women can be just as trashy as men
I don’t know if it is really selfish. When both children have the same parentage there is a continuity in the family. and just because you aren’t in “love” doesn’t mean your not great parents separately and together.
I think it’s possible that they are at different stages and want a different future now. Big age gaps are difficult especially with young children. I also think Ashley was smart and renegotiated that prenup. My recollection was that it had a scale for each year and a bigger payout for infidelity even if it happened in year 3, they worked it out but split in year 5 for a different reason.
I think she loved him but wanted children that were full siblings and once she knew she would be financially ok, she did try. He needed her to repair his reputation. She has earned more than she will probably receive but she negotiated what she wanted. I think prenups are smart because lawyers can make things worse and you don’t have to worry about the nastiness money and egos can bring out in a person. It’s all settled when you are in love and want to be fair. It allows you to move on and hopefully coparent without resentment.
My first thought was that now Michael will be free to pursue men if he so chooses.
A part of me is surprised. They had an unconventional marriage but it seemed to work for them
Nope, not surprised in the least. I’m surprised they lasted this long.
Isn’t she definitely getting at least one million per child per the renegotiated prenup that also has a “bad boy” clause attached. She’s going to be fine and he can declare his love to Juan. Lawd, PLEASE let them catch that on camera.
Remember she negotiated a post-nup I think after the sexual assault case or when he was caught with the woman in his hotel. I’m sure she’ll get a nice lump sum along with child support. I don’t think it’s coincidence that she left after 2 kids.
Not surprised. Michael has cheating allegations again. But, I thought prenup was voided after the separation? But my memory sucks these days
Virginia law requires a couple with minor children to be separated for one year before filing for divorce.
That’s a good law.
Who is happy to not have to see creepy Michael again on Patomic, right here!!!
Oh I think we will still see him. This will be a brilliant storyline for Ashley and Michael isn’t exactly camera shy!
I think they went into the relationship both being good with bringing others into the marriage to spice up the sex life. No judgement – to each his own. She talked about this somewhat. It seems once she had children she wanted more of a traditional marriage. From all of the allegations it just doesn’t seem Michael is ever going to be content with a traditional marriage and sex life. I think she is a smart girl, and secured the bags she needed.
I’d genuinely be surprised if Michael had $2m easily liquid to pay her out. I foresee the apartment being sold in the near future.
What’s his business again? Failed outback restaurant owner? I reckon at this point Ashley was the major breadwinner with her OG checks + whatever appearances she does. Would that impact things in terms of settlements/orders?
Michael is supposedly a very successful international real estate developer.
Michael owned The Watergate Hotel in Washington DC at some point.
That *can’t* be possible. Unless it’s a “Trump” style ownership. That place is worth way, way more than Michael could ever afford.
He founded Monument Realty here in DC and they own a ton of commercial real estate in the DC area. Michael has money.
I know he ran for politics here in Australia. If memory serves, it was definitely on a conservative ticket, and I think he may have family who were politicians. He’s a business person and entrepreneur and politician and I think we can stamp ‘failed’ on at least 2 of these. Then there’s the business of him owning it part owning the Watergate Hotel at some stage? It sounds as though he’s liquid but given all the scam docos abounding at present, he may well not be. Or may be on the way to becoming less so. I am in no way surprised and I think Ashley has made sure to protect herself and her children and I think she’ll always be the breadwinner for part of her natal family, as well. She’s got nothing to fall back on but herself and she’s smart and focused. I haven’t always ‘got’ Ashley Darby, but he’s put her through so much humiliation that I think she has somewhere in the last 3 years made herself an exit plan. I wish her luck and I hope Michael never returns to Australia. The appropriation of Indigenous culture that they had going on at their restaurant was worse than LuAnne’s tone deaf behaviour, I still cannot understand Ashley okaying any of that, either.,
Wow. Very interesting, Thank You!! I literally laughed out loud when I read Nanette’s response!
I think there is a Wikipedia page for a different Michael Darby who is an Australian businessman and former politician and connected with a political family. I think some of the celebrity net worth pages have mistaken the two as the same person and listed those facts for our Michael.
I could be wrong but I don’t think they are the same person.
Nope! I was surprised too!! I thought they had at least a few more years left in them.
Their prenup was not renegotiated, rather it was extended. She offered to do that as a sign of good faith to him. If the marriage lasted under 3 years (2 added with the extension) she received a lump sum. If it lasted more than 5years she was entitled to half.
They were married for 8 years.
Finally! Can’t wait to see her flourish with a new man who is worthy of her.
I am so surprised by the long post about their separation, LOL.
Isn’t Potomac cancelled? And Monique Samuels is on “the real reality” new show? Saw a commercial and didn’t recognize her. I’ll look for when I wake up more.😊
RHOP is not cancelled and they should be finishing up filming soon. Probably just in time for the divorce news. RHOP gets one of the best, if not the best ratings of all the housewives.
There was a rumor she was having an affair with her trainer and it looks like she wanted to pursue that further.
The worst thing is going to be (if Potomac returns) is the “told you so” coming from Karen and others. Karen will go on about how she has a great marriage and blah-blah-puke!
Shit! You’re probably right. I REALLY HATES the “I told you so,” crap. Even when I am the one who told someone so, I hate it so much, I don’t say it.
Shocking 😮😉
Ashley is on the gram singing about getting paid and getting laid. She’s fine. I think her goals shifted once her sons were born. Now she can rest on half of his estimated $20 million worth.
I’m not at all surprised. I just find it bizarre that she didn’t include cheating as a reason people may assume they are divorcing, because that’s one of two things at the top of my head. The other I will keep to myself. The cheating was such a huge part of their storyline though, that I really do think it’s odd that she wouldn’t put that. I mean, we were all there for it and she knows it.