Brittney Griner, the accomplished WNBA player, and her wife, Cherelle Griner, have formally announced their decision to end their marriage after nearly five years. On 30 July, Brittney, who has faced considerable challenges in recent years, filed for divorce in Fulton County, Georgia.
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The couple, who first met as students at Baylor University in Texas, got married in June 2018. They are parents to a two-year-old son named Bash. The court documents indicate that the couple has been living separately since 24 July 2026, a detail that deviates from prior reports suggesting they only married in 2019.
In her filing, Brittney has described their relationship as “irretrievably broken.” As the initiating party in the divorce, she is seeking joint legal custody of their son. Cherelle, who is a qualified attorney, has recently been in the public eye for her advocacy during her wife’s highly publicised imprisonment in Russia.
Brittney’s troubles began in February 2022 when she was detained in Russia after vape cartridges containing cannabis oil were discovered in her luggage. The authorities charged her with smuggling “narcotic drugs” into the country, where cannabis is illegal. Following her trial, Brittney was handed a nine-year prison sentence.
Despite the challenges, Cherelle emerged as a passionate advocate for Brittney during her imprisonment. Her efforts drew attention to the need for intervention from the US government, as well as calls for support from the sports community and beyond. Cherelle conveyed her thoughts to PEOPLE shortly after learning of Brittney’s release in December 2022, expressing a mix of elation and relief.
“Having thought about that moment countless times, I expected to be overwhelmed with tears,” Cherelle shared, recalling the moment she was reunited with her wife. “However, I was just overwhelmingly happy. It was the first time I felt like I could finally breathe, and I was so grateful. It was a moment of pure joy.”
Their marriage, celebrated by many, faced immense strain as a result of the events in Russia. While there were hopes for a fresh start following Brittney’s return to the US, the couple’s recent separation highlights the stress and complexities that can arise in relationships impacted by such significant external pressures.
As news of the divorce has emerged, there has been no immediate response from representatives for either Brittney or Cherelle regarding the separation. The couple remains in the public eye, particularly as Brittney continues her basketball career with the Connecticut Sun.
This latest development in their lives has attracted considerable attention, and the future remains uncertain for both women as they navigate this challenging transition. The end of their marriage marks a significant chapter in the lives of two individuals who have faced extraordinary circumstances both personally and publicly in recent years.