Say It Ain't So!
 

I just heard on the "Today" show that Juanita has filed for divorce after 12 yrs of marriage to Michael Jordan. It seems as though they have been married longer than that.:confused: She is seeking custody of their three children and half of the property. I wonder if Mike got a pre-nup?

I was just about to post this in Celebrity Dish
 

**sorry I could not format better but our work computers suck sometimes**

Jordan's Wife Files for Divorce
Monday, January 7

Associated Press

CHICAGO -- Michael Jordan's wife has filed for divorce, seeking to
dissolve her 12-year marriage to the world's most famous basketball player, the Chicago Tribune reported on its Web site Monday night.

Juanita Jordan was at her husband's side in January 1999 when he announced his now short-lived retirement from the NBA.

In a petition filed Friday in circuit court in Waukegan, Ill., Juanita
Jordan cited "irreconcilable differences" in seeking a dissolution of her marriage to Jordan.

She seeks permanent custody of the couple's three children, the
25,000-square-foot "marital residence" in Highland Park and half the
couple's
property.

The petition listed the couple as J. Vanoy Jordan and M. Jeff Jordan.

"It is the parties' hope that the media respect the family's need and
desire
for privacy in this painful matter," Juanita Jordan's lawyer, Don
Schiller,
told the Tribune.

The six-page petition says irreconcilable differences have caused "the
irretrievable breakdown" of Mrs. Jordan's marriage to the basketball
superstar and that future attempts at reconciliation "would be
impractical
and not in the best interests of the family."

The couple was married Sept. 2, 1989, in Las Vegas. Their children are
Jeffrey, 13, Marques, 11, and Jasmine, 9.

Jordan cited a desire to spend more time with his family when he
retired from
the Bulls the first time in October 1994 and again in January 1999.

He maintained his Chicago-area residence when he returned to basketball
as a
front-office executive with the Washington Wizards last season, but his
decision to resume his playing career has kept him in Washington
full-time.

The petition describes Jordan as "a well and able-bodied man who is
capable
of making suitable provisions for the support and maintenance of the
Petitioner and for the support and education of the parties' children
in a
style commensurate with that enjoyed by the parties during marriage."

Jordan, who was paid more than $30 million in his final season with the
Bulls, is one of the world's richest athletes.

He plays at home Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.

I had posted about this earlier in the Celebrity dish thread....my bad for not searching first!

But thanks for the info CrimsonTide4 and AKATude! :)

HALF, YALL, SHE'S LOOKING TO GET H.A.L.F of EVERYTHING. Well, all I can say is that Mike should have known that if he divorced Juanita that this would probably happen. But my girl has been there for Mike. She has his THREE children. She's been doing and has done her part (as far as I know). I wonder what's the REAL reason that Juanita has filed for divorce. I'm guessing that the media is going to spotlight this issue in the weeks to come. It's just very sad that this marriage is coming to an end. I feel expecially sorry for the children. I just hope that their divorce will not be a bad one.

Well.my best friend who lived in Chicago said his , ehem, marital indiscretions were local gossip for years but hat he had the popularity and the clout to keep them under wraps. Cannot say if iany of the rumors she relayed to me were true but they were interesting.

Not a surprise....
 

This is sad, but true...I have seen w/my own two, as well as, KNOW women who have been approached by him or have even kissed him on the lips--yuck! I remember when he was in B'ham w/the B'ham Barons (after the 1st retirement), I would see him out--ALOT--w/women, that was not his wife (or even black for that matter).

Granted, I don't know the real reason(s) behind their divorce, but I would bet my bottom $ that his philandering played a big part.

Isn't this automatic if there is no prenup?
 

I was always under the impression that marital property (house, cars, land, etc.) is split between the husband and wife unless a prenup indicates otherwise. It seems as though the majority of his wealth was accumulated after his marriage to her, so I would think that she'll get half and then some. On the otherhand, since she is "asking" for half, it must not be as automatic as I thought.:confused:

Re: Isn't this automatic if there is no prenup?
 

Actually, marital property is handled a number of different ways and varies from state to state. Community property states, like Cali, divide everything in half. All states do not do this. Maryland, for instance, is an equitable state which means the court attempts to determine everyone's equitable share of the marital property based on their contributions to the family monetarily and non monetarily. It is a bigger balancing act and takes a number of factors into consideration.

Another possible variant is whether or not a state has fault based or no fault divorce laws. States that are no fault will not take into consideration who caused the break up of the marriage where as a fault state may add some weight to the property decision based on who was at fault. These distinctions are why you often see rich people with more than one residence make certain they file for their divorce in Cali rather than another state. Where you file Is the law governing the divorce, not where you were married. And you have to have been a resident of that state before they will take jurisdiction over your divorce.
Can you tell I have practiced family law or what? Hope that helps.

I realize this is off topic, BUT
 

I just had to say it. Kimmie1913 (and other GC professionals) I really appreciate your expert (for lack of a better term) input on topics like this. It's nice to have (in 'real' life and on the 'net) friends in high places that know stuff that you don't know and that can answer your questions for you! I think that that is SO cool. It goes beyond networking, we're educating each other, and that's tight.

We now return to your regularly scheduled thread... :)

*smiling from ear to ear*
Thank you Ideal08! :D :D

You certainly made a Greek sister friend feel appreciated with that one!

I Was Not Surprised
 

This did not come as a surprise to me at all. I heard of MJ getting around town when he was in Chicago. It's a shame though. I like to see successful black men have successful marriages to black women. I really did like Juanita and Michael as a couple.

No prob, girl, I'm about to send you a PM now that I think about it, lol, I have a question for you!! :)

Aw, somebody please say it ain't so!

I am very disapointed, but not surprised about MJ. I've been wondering for a while about him and his travelling and just how his family fits in to the whole scheme of things. My thought though is that after he came back to playing she probably just had enough.

I've always wondered how some wives of ball players deal with it. Look at Magic and Cookie Johnson. This man caught AIDS and admitted that it came from "f-ing" around. AND SHE STAYED WITH HIM. He caught AIDS and she stayed with him. (Maybe I could say that again?) I really have a hard time with that.

I hope Juanita get's her half, because she deserves it.

It's so!
 

There’s an article on washingtonpost.com that gave some of the same info. But here’s an excerpt that I found interesting…

"I have no problem saying no," Juanita Jordan told Ebony magazine 10 years ago. "If someone didn't step up and say no, there would be no time for his family. . . . I know it makes me look like a b*$%@, but I can't worry about it, because I'm protecting what we have. If that is what I have to be, then I will be a b*%#^." (did a little editing) ;)

She’s dropping hints that she has to make herself and their kids a priority. And 10-yrs later that “someone” = Jordan… prolly doing whatever whenever. Be strong Juanita and GET YOURS! LOL... represent for those who wid men that ain’t got much to take from.

Re: It's so!
 

ROFLMP&GBO!:D :cool:

Re: I Was Not Surprised
 

I liked them too. They "looked" stable. :confused: I guess she had the last straw--whatever it was--philandering, not settling down, who knows? All I know is that it's disappointing.

Re: I Was Not Surprised
 

I liked the Jordans, too. I really feel for those kids.
But we don't know what went on with the private Michael and Juanita.

I wasn't surprised, either this morning. I thought they had been married 13 years. That's what was reported on the radio this morning, cause ole girl was expecting when they got married.

If she gets half....
 

Last September, Fortune magazine estimated Jordan's wealth at $398 million. That number was surprising -- I thought he was closer to Oprah Winfrey or Robert Johnson in terms of money.

I was not suprised at all about Juanita and Micheal breaking up. A family friend of mine who lives in chicago said that they're relationship was a hot topic and they had been having problems ever since Micheal's dad died and his gambling problem came to the fore front. Let me stop gossiping...

I guess Juanita just got sick and tired of it all. Jordan retired from the game to make his family a priority and for him to say he's playing again "for the love of the game" makes it seem as if he loves the game more than his family. I'd like to see how all of this plays out.

I caught the end of a radio show this morning and they said that Juanita had hired a private investigator to trail Michael.....and he was caught in some rather awkward positions. (similar to that show CHEATERS that airs here late nights)

Has anyone else heard this?

I've heard all kinds of rumors too. I remember when I was in college and peeps from Chicago said that Juanita wasn't an angel by an means. She was getting her groove on too.

Had anyone heard that he and Vanessa L. Williams had a thing back in the day?

My boyfriend said the same thing, but I was like..."No, I don't believe it".


I hadn't heard about his "romance" with Vanessa L. Williams, but I do remember hearing that he dated Robin Givens right before he hooked up with Juanita.

My best friend who lived in CHicago used to say the same theing about Juanita. ANd that Michael was out there freakin it too. She was like, I gess that's how they do- both do whatever they want. I guess Juanita got tired of the whole thing.

heard this too...
 

Heard this on the Sport Junkies last night... that apparently she had him followed for 4 years and caught him with 6 different women. Some paper in New York reported it. Did anyone hear anything about Juanita and a paternity suit right before they got married?

If all of the rumors about Juanita's and Micheael's marital indiscretions are true, I guess neither one of them thought about their children while they were messing around. Now three children (nearly teenaged ones at that) have to grow up in a broken home. All of the money in the world can't fix that. People forget that parenting is about selflessness not selfishness. Parent's actions effect the children as well. It's just a sad case all around.

Wouldn't it be wrong for M and J to stay in a marriage that they BOTH are no longer happy in? Wouldn't that ALSO affect the children?

It's 6 one way and 1/2 a dozen the other. But, I'll be doggone if I stay in a situation JUST FOR THE KIDS! :rolleyes: (IMO)

I haven't said two words 'bout nothin' in months but I had to reply to agree, whole heartedly with AKA2D '91.

It sounds sad but I know too many people who's parents are still together for looks and are not happy. Either way, when the offspring grow old enough they will know and most likely, they will feel for their parents who stayed in the relationship for x amount of years and were miserable.

Does anyone think this was because he left for D.C?
 

Apparently, their first child was 6 mo. when they married, and his agent convinced him to marry and have more children to improve/boost his image :rolleyes:

Being raised in Chicago, I have heard and witnessed my fair share of Jordan stories, but all I really want to add to this discussion is that we don't know the "real" Micheal. From a distance he seems like a stable, respectable, decent man. But who knows what lies under those Armani suits.

My grandfather works in the Merchandise Mart, and we were in the elevator, going up to one of the showroom floors, and low and behold, we see Mike and Juanita step into the elevator!! My grandaddy was/is a huge Bulls fan, and this was in when the Bulls were "da bomb". So, my grandaddy, one of his biggest fans asked to shake the man's hands. Wouldn't you know, Juanita had to tell him to do that....:( That's when I started to think that Jordan wasn't all he seemed to be.

As far as the children having to grow up in a broken home, yes, it's unfortunate, it's sad that their parents couldn't make it work, but I have a different perspective, I guess. My parents separated when I was very young, but I respect my mom even more, because she didn't stay in a "dead" relatonship..and I turned out just fine!!! ;)

I was channel surfing today and came across one of those talk shows that had a "celebrity gossip" section on it. Anyway, they were talking about Jordan and stated that his affairs with women had been long rumored, but the divorce is the result of a 16 year affair with a woman that he was seeing before he married Juanita. Anyway, the woman's husband became angry and fed up after learning that she was still messing with Jordan. Apparently, he wrote a long detailed letter to Juanita describing things and situations that only certain people could know. This guy said Juanita was very shocked and hurt and filed for divorce. After the filing, several women have now come forward....
When we saw this on TV today (& it was on a major network channel, like ABC, or CBS...) we just sat there like :eek:!

Oh, he also mentioned SATC's "Carrie & Aiden" and the rumors circulating there. According to him, their just rumors & he thinks "The Brodericks" will have a happy and long marriage.

The Divorce is OFF!!!!
 

It's CHEAPER TO KEEP HER!!!!!!


CHICAGO (AP) - Michael and Juanita Jordan are giving their marriage another try.

Slideshows

AP Photo
Michael Jordan


The Jordans, who announced last month they were divorcing after 12 years of marriage, said Monday they are attempting a reconciliation. Juanita Jordan also withdrew the divorce petition she filed Jan. 4 in Lake County Circuit Court.

"We have decided to attempt a reconciliation and our efforts to do so will be greatly enhanced if the privacy of our personal lives is respected," the couple said in a statement issued by Juanita Jordan's attorneys.

Attorneys for both sides confirmed the statement, and said there will be no further comment.

"Juanita's and Michael's joint statement says everything they have to say," said Frederick Sperling, an attorney for Michael Jordan.

In her original divorce petition, Juanita Jordan said past attempts at reconciliation had failed and future ones "would be impractical and not in the best interests of the family."

But when he was asked about the pending divorce last month, Michael Jordan expressed some hope of a reconciliation.

"That's something probably we'll work on," he said then. "I don't think I want to sit here and go through that. We have kids, obviously, and we want to make sure that's the focus. Outside of that, when the time comes, you guys will hear about it."

When Juanita Jordan filed for divorce, her petition sought custody of their three children; possession of their "marital residence," a 25,000-square-foot gated house in suburban Highland Park; an "equitable" share of their marital property; and a "fair and reasonable sum" for temporary and permanent maintenance. Under her petition, Michael Jordan would have been granted visitation rights with his children.

Last September, Fortune Magazine estimated Jordan's wealth at $398 million. In his final two seasons with the Chicago Bulls in 1997 and 1998, his salary topped $60 million.

When Jordan retired for the second time, he cited a desire to spend more time with his family, even joking that he would help with car pools. He maintained his home in the Chicago area even when he returned to basketball as a front-office executive with the Wizards last season.

But his decision to make another comeback as a player at age 38 has kept him in Washington most of the time and on the road, away from Chicago.

Michael and Juanita Jordan met at a Chicago restaurant during his second season with the Bulls and were married Sept. 2, 1989, in Las Vegas. Their children are Jeffrey, 13, Marcus, 11, and Jasmine, 9.

They are working on it...
 

Reports in the news yesterday say that Michael and Juanita are reconciling. Juanita widrew her divorce papers just a few days ago. What do you all think about that???

Heard last night on CNN the divorce is off. They are gonna work it out....

the saga continues

"What God put together let no man put under."

Thank the Lord for Michael's and Juanita's reconciliation attempt. With prayer it will work out. Marriage is more sacred than most people realize.

To those who are not yet married please think long and hard about the person you choose to spend your life with. It is not fair to you, the other person or any children you bring into this world if you truly know you and the other person cannot grow old together happily.

Signed,

Happily Married with bouts of turmoil .......:p

Again
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061229/...jordan_divorce

CHICAGO - Michael Jordan and his wife, Juanita, filed for divorce Friday after 17 years of marriage. "Michael and Juanita Jordan mutually and amicably decided to end their 17 year marriage," the couple said in a statement issued through their lawyers. "A judgment for dissolution of their marriage was entered today. There will be no further statements."

Juanita Jordan previously filed for divorce in January 2002, but withdrew her petition a month later when the couple announced they were attempting a reconciliation.