News

It's Her Prerogative: Whitney Houston Files For Divorce

After years of marital woes, Whitney Houston has begun divorce proceedings against her husband of 14 years, fellow R&B star Bobby Brown.

A publicist for Houston confirmed the announcement with MTV News, explaining that according to Georgia law, the "I Will Always Love You" singer has begun with a filing for a "legal separation," to be followed by divorce papers served in October. "She filed for divorce," the publicist explained. "It's a simple legal technicality."

During their long marriage, Houston and Brown each battled substance abuse problems, as well as domestic disputes, rumored affairs, and a humiliating stint on reality TV, as stars of the bizarre Being Bobby Brown series on the Bravo cable network. The show became something of a cult hit thanks to the couple's erratic behavior, which included spontaneously bursting into song in public places and discussing one another's bowel movements.

The couple also had several run-ins with the law -- especially Brown, who was jailed in 1998 for driving under the influence and twice in 2004, once for failure to make child support payments (he has three children from previous relationships) and once for various parole violations. The couple was also arrested, though not charged, when marijuana was found in their luggage at an airport in 2000, and Houston spent parts of 2004 and 2005 in rehab for alcohol and drug abuse problems.

In 2003, Houston reported that Brown had struck her in the face, though she later declined to press charges and the case against Brown was eventually dropped.

The couple has one child together, 13-year-old Bobbi Kristina.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
09.13.06