Last April 2022, St. Louis Cardinal’s Albert Pujols confirmed the news of his divorce from his wife of 22 years, Deidre. The two married in 2002 and had five children: Isabella, the oldest of the siblings, and Deidre’s daughter from a previous relationship and their four kids together Albert Jr., Sophia, Ezra, and Esther Grace.
In a statement released by Albert’s representative, Dan Lozano, and posted on Twitter via MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand, the baseball player said that with everything that had been happening, Opening Day and other family events, he realized that it wasn’t a well-timed announcement.
Statement from Albert Pujols, released by his agent, Dan Lozano: pic.twitter.com/LybNoOymbT
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 4, 2022
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However, he clarified that these situations had never been easy and weren’t something that ‘just happened overnight.’ Albert also added that as a devout Christian, he prayed long about it, and this wasn’t the outcome that he had wanted to happen.
The announcement came just a few days following Deidre’s successful brain tumor surgery, which earned him significant public backlash.
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In court documents obtained by TMZ Sports, Pujols listed the reason for divorce as ‘irreconcilable differences’ and requested joint custody of their three minor children. Additionally, the listed date for their marriage was January 1, 2000, and the date of separation was February 16, 2022, months before it was announced.
Radar Online reported that Albert Pujols’ wife, Deidre, listed the same details and also requested joint legal and physical custody. They also learned that Deidre had demanded substantial monthly support from Albert, covering spousal support, child support for their three minors, and additional support for their eldest, Isabella, who has Down Syndrome.
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She also noted that the court should terminate her ex-husband’s right to any support, referencing his various property assets that she had not known. Her lawyer also sought to get the baseball player to cover legal fees for both parties.
Albert Pujols, who debuted in the MLB in 2001, finally retired in October 2022 with 703 career home runs. He joins baseball legends Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755), and Barry Bonds (762) in the 700-career home club. His former wife, Deidre, continued to support him and the St. Louis Cardinals even after their divorce.