Rapper and music mogul Dr. Dre’s wife Nicole Young has filed for divorce.
TMZ reports that Young, 50, filed for divorce from Dre (real name Andre Romelle Young) after 24 years of marriage on Monday, citing irreconcilable differences.
Dre, 55, founded the hugely lucrative Beats Electronics brand and is said to be worth an estimated $800 million, yet sources tell the outlet that the pair did not sign a prenuptial agreement.
Split! Dr. Dre’s wife Nicole Young has filed for divorce after 24 years from the rapper, who is worth an estimated $800 million (the couple pictured above in 2018)
The rapper, who is also the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and was previously co-owner of Death Row Records, married Nicole on May 25, 1996. She was formerly married to NBA player Sedale Threatt.
Young is reportedly seeking spousal support and is being represented by celebrity attorney Samantha Spector in the divorce. Young is also a lawyer herself.
The pair share two adult children together, daughter Truly Young, 19, and son Truice Young, 23.
They made their last public appearance as a couple at the Tom Ford fashion show with their daughter Truly in February this year. The same month, Dre talked about his birthday plans that included his wife, during an interview with BigBoyTV.
Flash back: Dr. Dre and his wife Nicole Young in 2001 at the film premiere of The Wash in Los Angeles
Family man: Dr. Dre with his wife Nicole Young and their daughter Truly Young at The Defiant Ones special screening at the Ritzy Picturehouse on March 15, 2018 in London, UK
He said: ‘I decided to just keep it low-key this time — I’m going to have a few friends over and my wife is going to do a crab boil for me. I love crab. We’re just going to kick it, kick it in my backyard.’
Dre has often posted sweet messages about his marriage on his Instagram, revealing in 2018 that he has whisked his wife away to New York via helicopter to see the musical Hamilton for their 22nd wedding anniversary.
A year earlier he proudly posted a tribute writing: ‘Married 21 years!!! The Defiant Ones!!!’ a reference to the documentary about Dre and his music industry legend friend Jimmy Iovine.
However, it now appears that things have turned sour, as his wife Young has hired high-powered Hollywood attorney Spector, whose notable clients include Jenna Dewan and Amber Heard.
The high life: Dre whisked away his wife to New York in 2018 for a romantic trip to New York to see Hamilton
Love story: The tough guy rapper posted this sweet snap in 2018, celebrating his 22nd anniversary with Nicole
And there appears to be a lot at stake.
In 2014, the music company that Dre established, Beats, was sold to Apple for $3 billion, which lead to him being hailed as the ‘first billionaire in hip-hop’ though Forbes recently pegged his wealth at $800 million.
The same year, the rapper purchased a $40 million home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles in from its previous owners, NFL player Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
In 2001, it was reported that Dre earned a total of about $52 million from selling part of his share of Aftermath Entertainment to Interscope Records, as well as producing the megahit Family Affair by Mary J. Blige.
Meanwhile, Dre has a complicated personal life and has six children, four sons and two daughters, by five different women.
He was just 16 when he and his then-15-year-old girlfriend Cassandra Joy Green had their first child together, a son named Curtis. Dre did not meet his son until 20 years later, according to multiple reports.
Then in 1983, Dre welcomed a daughter named La Tanya Danielle Young with Lisa Johnson.
Back in the studio: Two days ago, rapper Snoop Dogg revealed that he is once again working with the iconic hip-hop producer on new music
His son Andre Young Jr., tragically died aged 20 in 2008 after a reported drug overdose. He had been the subject of a paternity dispute in 1990 when his mother, Jenita Porter, filed a lawsuit seeking $5,000 of child support per month.
Dre also has a son named Marcel with the singer Michel’le, who was born in 1988.
In 2015, Dre was forced to issue a public apology after many women came forward to accuse him of abuse, including his ex Michel’le, ’90s female rapper Tairrie B, and hip-hop journalist Dee Barnes.
He did not address each allegation individually, but said in a statement: ‘Twenty-five years ago I was a young man drinking too much and in over my head with no real structure in my life.’
‘However, none of this is an excuse for what I did. I’ve been married for 19 years and every day I’m working to be a better man for my family, seeking guidance along the way. I’m doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again.’
Famous: Dre and wife Nicole pictured with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West at Sean Combs 50th birthday bash on December 14, 2019 in Los Angeles
He added: ‘I apologize to the women I’ve hurt. I deeply regret what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives.’
Two days ago, rapper Snoop Dogg revealed that he was back in the studio with the iconic music producer, which caused a stir among music fans on social media, including Gwyneth Paltrow.
Dre produced Snoop Dogg’s debut album Doggystyle (1993), and they also worked together on the 1999 single Still D.R.E. from Dre’s multi-platinum album 2001.
Des res: Dre purchased this $40 million home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles in 2014 from its previous owners, NFL player Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bundchen
Dre’s solo debut studio album The Chronic (1992), released under Death Row Records, made him one of the best-selling American music artists of 1993, and he’s been even more prolific as a music producer.
He signed Eminem in 1998 and 50 Cent in 2002, and co-produced their albums, which were both huge money-spinners.
