Marriage is often seen as a lifelong commitment, a beautiful journey shared between two people. However, sometimes, ‘happily ever after’ comes to a surprisingly swift end. For most folks, a divorce is a quiet, personal matter. But when celebrities are involved, a quick breakup can become global news in an instant. If you’ve ever wondered who holds the record for the shortest marriages, get ready for some eye-opening tales. Let’s dive into ten of the briefest unions in history that might make you pause before saying ‘I do’.
10. Chad Johnson & Evelyn Lozada – 41 Days
Our list begins with a rather unfortunate story. Evelyn Lozada and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson likely imagined a glamorous life together, even planning a VH-1 reality show to showcase their love. However, their dream soured quickly. An argument one night reportedly led to Johnson head-butting Lozada. Just three days after the incident, which required Lozada to be hospitalized, she filed for divorce. She stated her reason was clear: she would not tolerate domestic violence, hoping her actions would inspire others in similar situations.
This public scandal had immediate consequences. VH-1 canceled their planned show. Furthermore, Ocho’s NFL team, the Miami Dolphins, dropped him from their roster.
9. Drew Barrymore & Jeremy Thomas – 29 Days
Sometimes, love stories begin in unexpected places, like a bar. That’s where Charlie’s Angels star Drew Barrymore met Jeremy Thomas. In 1994, Barrymore encountered Thomas, an LA bar owner. A mere six weeks later, he proposed. Thomas’s proposal wasn’t a grand, planned affair; he asked for her hand in marriage in an alley at 2 am. Drew said yes, and they hurriedly organized a wedding ceremony just three hours later!
By 5:30 am that same day, their whirlwind romance was official, after they paid the officiant a little extra for the quick service. Unfortunately, the marriage started to crumble almost immediately. They had planned a honeymoon in Hawaii, but Barrymore ended up going alone. Thomas reportedly found out she was in Hawaii only when she called him from there! Barrymore later cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their divorce.
8. Sinead O’Connor & Barry Herridge – 16 Days
What could possibly cause a Las Vegas marriage to end so quickly? For Sinead O’Connor and Barry Herridge, a chaotic search for marijuana on their wedding night played a big part. Sinead O’Connor, an Irish singer-songwriter, married Herridge in true Vegas style – on a whim. According to O’Connor, their marital problems began just three hours after the ceremony. Because Sinead didn’t drink, they went on a quest to find marijuana, an adventure that apparently made her new husband uncomfortable.
Herridge worked as a psychotherapist, often helping people with substance abuse issues. The drug hunt likely conflicted with his professional values. Sinead also mentioned that Herridge’s friends had disapproved of their relationship even before the wedding, sensing they were too different. She later said she ended the marriage because she loved him too much and needed to “set him free.”
7. Tracey Edmonds & Eddie Murphy – 14 Days
Celebrities sometimes seem to collect relationships and marriages, and Eddie Murphy is no stranger to this. With five baby mamas in the entertainment world, many wondered about the longevity of his marriage to Tracey Edmonds. It lasted just 14 days. Thankfully, this separation wasn’t too messy because they never officially signed the marriage certificates in the U.S.
Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds exchanged vows on a private island in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. This kind of beautiful, exotic wedding is common in showbiz. However, they still needed a formal ceremony in the U.S. to make it legally binding. After a rocky two-week honeymoon, they mutually decided to skip the legal U.S. ceremony. In a joint statement, they said their Bora Bora ceremony was a symbol of their friendship, deep love, and respect. They chose to remain friends, which might have been for the best, considering how fleeting Hollywood marriages can be.
6. Pamela Anderson & Jon Peters – 12 Days
Some couples marry quickly, while others take their time. Pamela Anderson and Jon Peters first dated in the 1980s but didn’t marry until 35 years later. Though details about their short-lived union are mired in controversy, their unofficial marriage lasted only 12 days. Jon Peters, a well-known film producer, and Baywatch star Pamela Anderson had a long history. However, their rekindled romance ended before they could sign the marriage certificates, leading to a public war of words.
Explaining his side, the producer of A Star Is Born claimed he desired “a simple life and not an international love affair.” Before the split, Anderson had expressed that Peters had always supported her and that she felt, “I’m ready now, and he’s ready too.” This just goes to show that even with preparation, the outcome of a marriage can be unpredictable.
5. Carmen Electra & Dennis Rodman – 9 Days
Dennis Rodman was a phenomenal basketball player, known for his defense and rebounding. As a sports legend, his actions often made headlines. Rodman makes this list for his marriage to Carmen Electra, which lasted a mere nine days. Before their quick wedding, Electra and Rodman shared a vibrant relationship. They met in Los Angeles in 1998 and enjoyed a period of exciting dates and constant communication as Rodman wooed Electra. By November 1998, a trip to Las Vegas led them to the famous Chapel of the Flowers.
There, they got married, an event that captured global attention. Sadly, just nine days later, Rodman filed for an annulment, claiming he wasn’t of sound mind during the ceremony. Their brief marriage serves as a potent reminder: maybe think twice before a quickie Las Vegas wedding.
4. Nigerian Couple – 7 Days
Often, couples get married after a period of dating, and some religiously observant spouses wait until their wedding night for intimacy. In Nigeria, one couple divorced after only a week when the wife, Aisha Dannupawa, discovered her husband’s penis was too large. While many might think bigger is better, Aisha found intimacy with her new husband to be an excessively painful experience. She told the Islamic court in Zamfara that even herbal remedies from her mother couldn’t help her cope.
When asked if he objected to the divorce, the husband did not contest her claims. Perhaps he understood, or maybe he was, in a way, suffering from his own success. Marriage should be a comfortable and happy union for both partners, and if one person isn’t, it’s hard to continue.
3. Nicolas Cage & Erika Koike – 4 Days
Nicolas Cage is one of today’s most recognizable actors. Naturally, his personal life, including who he’s dating, often becomes public interest. While he’s generally kept his relationships private, his marriage to makeup artist Erika Koike couldn’t escape the spotlight. Their low-key wedding, which took place in Las Vegas, was the culmination of their relationship. However, Cage sought an annulment just four days later.
Explaining his decision, the National Treasure star stated that both he and Koike were heavily intoxicated before the wedding. He also mentioned he was unaware of Koike’s existing relationship with another person. Cage admitted he was “upset” by how things turned out, this being his fourth marriage.
2. Britney Spears & Jason Alexander – 55 Hours
We often imagine weddings as grand, formal affairs. Pop superstar Britney Spears once did the opposite, showing up to her wedding in blue jeans, a bare midriff, and a baseball cap. She’s not on this list for fashion choices, but because she sought an annulment a mere 55 hours later! Spears and her childhood friend Jason Alexander exchanged vows at a little white wedding chapel in Las Vegas. This story became instant tabloid gold.
Alexander shared that Spears flew him to Vegas, and he was expecting a fun time. Things escalated quickly, Vegas-style. Ironically, what happened in Vegas didn’t stay there once Spears shared the news with her family. After she called home to announce her marriage, her mother and managers were reportedly shocked. The wedding had no prenuptial agreement, and under intense pressure, Spears asked Alexander to sign annulment papers. Later, Britney Spears described the brief marriage as a moment of “being silly, being rebellious.”
1. Kuwaiti Couple – 3 Minutes
Topping our list for the shortest marriage in history is, surprisingly, not a celebrity duo. In a story that went viral, a Kuwaiti couple divorced less than three minutes after they were officially married. Marriage is intended to be a lifelong partnership where respect is fundamental. For this Kuwaiti couple, the first three minutes of their union revealed a glaring incompatibility.
According to reports, the couple had just completed their marriage ceremony in front of a judge. As they were leaving, the bride unfortunately tripped and fell. Instead of rushing to help his new wife, the groom allegedly called her “stupid.” Such a disrespectful comment, especially moments after exchanging vows, was not something the bride was willing to tolerate. She immediately turned around, went back to the judge, and demanded a divorce. While this incredibly short marriage is stunning, one can only imagine the judge’s reaction to such a swift marital take-back.
These stories, ranging from a few weeks to mere minutes, show that sometimes ‘forever’ has a very different timeline. While marriage is a serious commitment, it’s clear that for some, the journey ends almost as soon as it begins.
What do you think about these incredibly short marriages? Do you know of any others? Leave your comment below!
