The truth behind REESE’S SHOCK DIVORCE
The actress has turned to her first husband for support
Just days before they were due to celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary, Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth broke the news that they’d made the “difficult decision” to divorce. And reports have since suggested their marriage breakdown had been inevitable for a while, with sources claiming that Reese and talent agent Jim had been “living separate lives” for years.
The 47-year-old actress released a statement via Instagram, in which she said they are “moving forward with deep love, kindness and mutual respect”, stating that their ten-year-old son Tennessee is their “biggest priority”. But insiders claim the split had been on the cards since as early as August 2021, when Reese sold part of her production company Hello Sunshine – which Jim, 52, was a founding director of – for more than $900m .
A source said, “That money was rocket fuel for them, but sent them in different directions, and pretty quickly after that deal closed – the only real common ground they had was the raising of their son.”
This is not the first time the film star has gone through a divorce – in 2006 she split from first husband Ryan Phillippe,
‘It’s a huge gambleforreese’
her Cruel Intentions co-star and father of her two eldest children, and heat has been told the actor is helping his ex-wife navigate her break-up with Jim. Despite their respective troubles – including Ryan becoming entangled in an alleged assault case back in 2017, which was settled out of court – it seems the exes still share a bond, and friends are wondering if it could develop into something more.
“The love and respect they have for one another has never gone away,” says our source. “Reese adores Ryan and she’s been leaning on him more and more. They’re awesome co-parents and great friends, but up until now, they’ve been very careful not to confuse their boundaries. There’s a lot of chatter from friends that they may just go for it and see what happens.
It’ll be a huge gamble, but people close to them are hoping it pays off.”
Reese and Ryan, 42, tied the knot in June 1999 after meeting at her 21st birthday party in 1997. They went on to welcome two children, daughter Ava, now 23, and son
Deacon, 19, before filing for divorce due to “irreconcilable differences.”
But friends are adamant there may be unfinished business. The insider adds, “They’ve been through so much together and made their names in Hollywood as this picture-perfect couple. Ryan is being very understanding with Reese as she works her way through this split with Jim, but it’s a ‘never say never’ situation regarding their reconciliation, as far as their friends see it. Chemistry’s one thing they’re definitely not lacking.” ■