Halle Berry’s ex-husband and French actor Olivier Martinez has recently made headlines by seeking sole custody of their 12-year-old son, Maceo, following serious allegations of abuse. According to reports, Martinez has filed a temporary restraining order against Berry, citing that she has caused “emotional and mental distress” through the alleged physical abuse of their son.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/halle-berry-olivier-martinez-080124-a929bfc285a949fcbf675a4261f6d95e.jpg)
The claims, detailed in court documents obtained by PEOPLE, allege that on 26 September, Berry physically assaulted Maceo. Martinez describes an incident where Berry reportedly “jumped on him,” placed her hands around his neck, and choked him. He stated that this was not an isolated incident and referenced previous instances of both physical and emotional abuse spanning several years. The filing notes, “While the September 26, 2026, incident in which Petitioner choked our son is the latest incident of abuse, I contend that there have been other instances of abuse over the course of the last few years.”
Both parties have yet to comment publicly on the situation, and representatives for Berry and Martinez did not respond immediately to requests for statements regarding the allegations.
Halle Berry, who shares custody of Maceo with Olivier Martinez, is also a mother to 18-year-old daughter Nahla, whom she had with ex-partner Gabriel Aubry. Berry and Martinez finalised their divorce in 2023 after nearly eight years of marriage. The terms of their divorce included a joint custody arrangement. Reports indicate that Berry agreed to pay Martinez $8,000 monthly in child support, along with a percentage of her income exceeding £2 million.
In addition to monthly payments, Berry was ordered to cover Maceo’s private school tuition, uniforms, and extracurricular activities, with the responsibility also extending to reimburse any costs incurred during the current academic year. Their previous relationship, despite the separation, appeared to focus on co-parenting Maceo effectively.
The couple initially filed for divorce in October 2015, just two years after tying the knot. Following their separation, they released a joint statement expressing their intention to navigate their new circumstances collaboratively.
In May 2024, both parents agreed to engage in “co-parenting therapy.” This initiative aimed to help them address disputes and enhance their cooperative parenting skills for the benefit of their son. The arrangement involved their initial individual sessions followed by at least six joint meetings with a co-parenting coach—which Berry’s current partner, Van Hunt, was permitted to attend.
Despite their commitment to therapy, sources indicate that the two continue to struggle with differing parenting styles, complicating their efforts to co-parent effectively. “They have very different parenting styles,” an insider revealed, adding, “Co-parenting hasn’t been easy. Still, they both love Maceo and he’s amazing… he’s a very focused student. Halle very much tries to keep his life private.”
As this custody dispute unfolds, the emphasis on Maceo’s well-being remains paramount. It is a situation that puts both Berry and Martinez in a challenging light as they navigate their parental responsibilities amid allegations and legal actions. The outcome of these recent claims could have significant implications for Maceo’s future and the dynamics of his relationships with both parents.
The legal proceedings mark a tumultuous chapter in the lives of both actors, who were once a celebrated couple in Hollywood. Their experiences highlight the complexities many blended families face, especially when public scrutiny and personal disagreements come into play. As the public awaits further developments, the priority for both stars appears to be the welfare of their son amid troubling allegations.