Hollywood’s gossip editors had plenty to write about this year as they followed the ups and downs of the stars’ relationships, while L.A. divorce lawyers stayed as busy as ever.
1. Clint Eastwood and Dina Ruiz
Clint started his spectacular Hollywood career as the star of several Italian produced “spaghetti westerns” and later morphed into Dirty Harry, before launching his third act as an Oscar-winning director and producer.
While his professional life seemed to be one of repeated success, his personal life has been complicated, to say the least. Clint has seven children from five women, two of whom he married. Unfortunately Mr. Eastwood’s current marriage to former LA TV anchor, Dina Ruiz, 35 years his junior, has come to its conclusion, after 14 years.
They separated earlier in 2013 and Ms. Ruiz filed for divorce, only to abandon the proceedings and attempt to reconcile. But as is typical in marriage breakdown, the reconciliation failed.
Ms. Ruiz is seeking custody of their 16-year-old daughter and spousal support. Clint has already announced his unwillingness to pay Dina support but I suspect that absent a solid prenuptial agreement, California law will ensure she receives support and a large share of his assets.
Apparently Clint and Dina have each moved on to new relationships. In a curious twist, Dina has been linked with old friend and University of Hawaii basketball coach Scott Fisher, while Clint was recently seen with Mr. Fisher’s ex-wife.
2. Ashley Judd and Dario Franchitti
Actress and political activist Ashley Judd married acclaimed British Indy race car driver in 2001. Raised in a show business family, Ashley’s mother Naomi Judd, and step-sister Winona, admitted on Oprah that their family life had been dysfunctional and detrimental to Ashley as she grew up.
She moved to Los Angeles from Kentucky, studied acting, and worked as a waitress at L.A.’s famed Ivy Restaurant, before catching a break that landed her on the silver screen and television.
The couple had no children. Ashley once said that it would be irresponsible to bring children into a world where so many impoverished children needed a home.
Several years ago she attended Harvard University and received a Masters Degree in Public Administration. She was also rumoured to be interested in running for the US Senate, but so far has not thrown her hat into the ring
They separated in January 2013. On 6 October 2013, Dario was involved in a serious crash at the Grand Prix of Houston, when his car flew into catch-fencing after contact with another racer’s car. He suffered two fractured vertebrae, a broken ankle and a concussion in the accident. A month later, on 14 November 2013, Franchitti announced his immediate retirement from motor racing.
He retired with 31 victories from 265 starts in American open-wheel racing, a record which put him in a tie for eighth place on the all-time wins list, with Paul Tracy and Sébastien Bourdais.
Ashley flew to his side after the accident. Who knows, maybe they will reconcile yet?
Lawdiva aka Georgialee Lang
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