Todd Palin, Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's Husband, Files For Divorce After 31 Years Of Marriage
She's anti-marriage equality, and now she's getting divorced.
getty Almost 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce, but for many couples in Hollywood, that percentage is higher. When it comes to politics, however, it seems like most marriages go the distance. That’s why it was fairly shocking when outlets reported Sarah Palin and her husband Todd were getting divorced.
But why did Todd Palin file for divorce? After 31 years of marriage, Palin filed with the Anchorage Superior Court on September 6, eight days after their anniversary.
His reason for filing? “Incompatibility of temperament between the parties.” And he also noted their conflict made it “impossible to live together as husband and wife.” Todd also filed for joint custody of Trig, their 11-year-old son who was born with Down Syndrome.
Though the Palins have faced rumors of impending divorce in the past, it appears it’s for real this time.
Back in 2009, People reported that Sarah denied any rumors the two were splitting. A rep told the magazine, “No truth to any of the rumors. No divorce. No affairs. No land in Montana. Nothing! All lies and fabrications!” The rumors claimed that there were affairs on both sides and that Sarah was considering moving her family to Montana.
On their reality television show, Sarah Palin’s Alaska, she revealed Todd got a laugh out of the rumors published in a tabloid magazine. “I call Todd on the cell phone, and I say, ‘Todd, you won’t believe this cover!’ And he says, ‘(A) $20 million (settlement)? Write me a check.’ He’s good about laughing some of that stuff off,” she said.
But recently, Todd’s absence has made people question if they were on the rocks. He’s been notably absent from Sarah’s Instagram posts, which all feature her children and family.
It’s merely speculation, but perhaps the onslaught of conflict within his family caused him to reach a breaking point?
Despite holding a “pro-life” viewpoint, the Palins’ daughter, Bristol, became pregnant at 17 years old with her son, Tripp; the father is her former fiancé, Levi Johnston. Bristol also has two daughters, Sailor and Atlee, with ex-husband, Dakota Meyer.
That was just the beginning, though. The Palin's oldest son, Track, was accused of breaking into his parents’ home in December 2017. He allegedly got into an altercation with Todd, leaving him with cuts on his head and bleeding. In 2016, he was accused of punching his then-girlfriend, and was charged with possessing a firearm while intoxicated.
Sarah claimed post-traumatic stress disorder may have been to blame, but he was sentenced to only one year in custody. A judge ruled that “allegations of hitting a woman on the head disqualified him from a therapeutic program for veterans stemming from a separate assault case.” Track served one year in Iraq in the Army.
Their other grown children — Willow and Piper — have stayed out of the spotlight, though Willow is expecting twins in December with her husband. And aside from filing for divorce, it appears Todd wishes to remain out of the spotlight as well.
Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.