Sure, Baby Boomers have heard of Kim Kardashian, but they only know about her from her overpublicized divorces, so here’s a look at celebrity divorces and breakups among Baby Boomers, born from 1946 through 1964. I hope you will find help with your own divorce by reading my advice to the following celebrities.
1. Demi Moore:
As a member of the Brat Pack, Demi Moore (born in 1962) skyrocketed to fame in the movie, Ghost. Moore announced on November 17, 2011 that she would be divorcing child-groom Ashton Kutcher. The two have been married since 2005.
Advice for Demi: If Ashton cheated on you, that’s a good reason to dump the chump. Why you would ever marry an actor who makes us long for the return of Charlie Sheen is beyond me. And, it's too bad that Bruce Willis is remarried. Reconciliation might have made a lovely Christmas present for your children.
2. Laurie Metcalf:
If you were a fan of the show Roseanne (neither was I), you’ll recognize Ms Metcalf as Roseanne’s younger sister. In September 2011, Laurie Metcalf filed for divorce from Matt Roth, who played Jackie’s abusive boyfriend on Roseanne. (Hopefully, Roth wasn't typecast.)
Advice: Laurie, you know better than to date a coworker. And, that goes double when you work with flakey actors. But, even though you two have been separated for several years, try to get along for the sake of your two beautiful children.
3. Melissa Gilbert:
Young Boomer, Melissa Gilbert (born in 1964) is best known for her portrayal of Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House on the Prairie (1974–1984). Gilbert filed for divorce from actor Bruce Boxleitner, whom she married after dating many wild and crazy guys (Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Scott Baio, Billy Idol) and dissolving her rebound marriage to Bo Brinkman. Bruce Boxleitner is best known for his role in the TV version of How the West Was Won.
Advice: Melissa, if your fiancé has broken off your engagement twice, that’s a sign to move on. (Yes, it’s easy for me to say that, as an outsider looking in.) And, please take a little more time before jumping into your next relationship, because if "that cute little girl” from Little House on the Prairie can’t stay married, what's in store for the rest of us Boomer Chicks?
4. John Cougar Mellencamp:
John Mellencamp, “heartland” rock star, known for country-ish songs about Middle America such as "Jack and Diane", "Little Pink Houses", and "R.O.C.K. in the USA", divorced his wife of 18 years in August of 2011.
Advice: John, we looked up to you as a symbol of stability when all other Boomer celebs were breaking up and divorcing. Hey, John, a supermodel wife isn’t good enough for you? And, now you’re seeing Meg Ryan. What does she see in you? I hope Ryan dumps you and you go back to your beautiful wife and your children. Why can’t musicians keep it in their pants?
Knight, best known as Peter Brady of The Brady Bunch, is separated from Adrianne Curry, his wife of five years.
Advice for Christopher: Honey, you’re not that famous anymore. Sure, it’s difficult to be married to a bisexual, but find someone nice and treat her right before you get any older, baby.
6. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver:
Everyone knows that Maria separated from former-Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger, her husband of 25 years, after a confirmation that Arnold fathered a child with one of their household servants.
Advice to Maria: You don’t need any advice, sweetie. You have bought a mansion near your old house so your kids can see their father, and you have done your best to keep your kids out of the celebrity-divorce limelight. You are a good role model and a princess among celebs. Advice to Arnold: You're beyond help, but I hope you can get down on your knees and mend your marriage for the sake of your children.
7. Courtney Love:
Courtney, widow of rocker Kurt Cobain, has broken up with London art dealer Henry Allsopp, the titled godson of Camilla (Parker-Bowles), Duchess of Cornwall, wife of Charles, Prince of Wales.
Advice for Ms Love: Money may buy you celebrity, but it cannot buy you class. You must be born into it or earn it on your own.
Happily Ever After
On the happy-sad front, Paul McCartney remarried a third time in October of 2011. And, though Paul is a few years too old to qualify as a Baby Boomer, his marriage to the 51-year-old Nancy Shevell is a reminder that Baby-Boomer hope for happiness springs eternal.
Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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