Inside Tom Cruise And Katie Holmes' Messy Split

Fatima Araos
Tom Cruise And Katie Holmes
Shutterstock | 751606

When it comes to messy celebrity splits, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ divorce is right up there among the most unforgettable, even if it happened more than 10 years ago.

One Of Hollywood's Most Famous Romances

Theirs was one of Hollywood’s most high-profile romances, with Cruise announcing his love for the Batman Begins actress by excitedly jumping on Oprah Winfrey’s couch. And that made the split all the more shocking.

She Filed For Divorce In 2012

Katie Holmes strolling in a blue shirt and brown leather skirt
Flickr | trishskirt32

On June 29, 2012, Holmes released a statement saying she was divorcing the Top Gun star after five years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. They wed on November 18, 2006 in a lavish ceremony in an Italian castle.

What The Statement Said

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes posing together
Flickr | aadarshrajpoot.co

The statement shared to People said, “This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family.”

Her Priority Is Suri

Suri Cruise in a beige dress
Flickr | usanewsman2021

Her attorney, Jonathan Wolfe, added, “Katie’s primary concern remains, as it always has been, her daughter’s best interest.”

Shocking Divorce

Closeup of Tom Cruise
Flickr | emmalachqar20029

Nobody saw the divorce coming, not even Cruise.

Statement From Cruise

Closeup of Tom Cruise
Flickr | imdtopost

Back then, his rep told the outlet, “Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children. Please allow them their privacy.”

Fleeing California For New York

Katie Holmes posing in a striped top and leather skirt
Flickr | trishskirt32

The couple had resided in California but Holmes filed for divorce in New York, reportedly to have a bigger chance at getting sole custody of their daughter, Suri. Apparently, the state doesn’t usually grant joint custody.

Beginning Anew In Manhattan

Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise strolling
Flickr | Dulich4you

As soon as she moved to Manhattan with Suri, renting an apartment reportedly for $12,000 a month, she got to work trying to win sole custody.

Why She Wanted Sole Custody

Suri Cruise as a kid
Flickr | bbb23burks

The Dawson’s Creek alum was determined to do everything she could to free Suri from the clutches of Cruise’s religion, Scientology.

Cruise's Other Kids Were Raised In Scientology

She had seen how Cruise’s other children with Nicole Kidman had been brought up as devout Scientologists, and how they had ended up estranged from their mother as a result.

Quick Settlement

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes on a motorcycle
Flickr | jmar6482

In July 2012, only 11 days after her divorce filing, it was announced that the ex-couple had reached a settlement.

She Was Given Sole Custody

Suri Cruise and Katie Holmes posing together
Flickr | cengnews0

Holmes was granted sole custody of Suri, who was 6 years old then, and Cruise was given visitation rights.

The Details Of The Settlement

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise
Flickr | bf;abf aweifáwepjf

Back then, TMZ reported the details of the settlement, which didn’t include spousal support or a lump sum payout because they had signed a prenuptial agreement that barred her from his $250 million fortune.

Child Support

Closeup of Suri Cruise
Flickr | hollywoodcoolactress

Holmes, however, was granted money for child support amounting to $400,000 a year – or $33,333.33 a month – until Suri turned 18.

No Boarding School For Suri

Suri Cruise holding a pitcher of juice
Flickr | news109

The settlement also stipulated that Cruise would be responsible for Suri’s expenses, including education, insurance, medical, dental, and others. However, the ex-couple agreed that their daughter would not be sent to a boarding school, “Scientology or otherwise.”

Zero Exposure To Scientology

Katie Holmes in a silver top and black pants
Flickr | dp3061971

There were also reports that Holmes didn’t want Suri exposed to anything that had to do with Scientology. That included going to Scientology churches or parties.

More Shocking Info

Tom Cruise carrying Suri
Flickr | majalahforbes

Additionally, rumor had it that Suri had to be accompanied by a nanny and bodyguards employed by Holmes whenever she was with her father, allegedly because Cruise only had Scientologists for employees. However, an insider disputed this piece of info.

Lack Of Father-Daughter Relationship

Suri Cruise strolling in a white crop top and flare jeans
Flickr | yellowviper116

Suri is turning 17 in a few weeks, and although Cruise has not been remiss in his financial responsibilities, he’s reportedly been absent from her life in the past 10 years.

Suri Now

It was recently reported that the teenager has been applying to colleges, but his father is taking no part in any of it.