Kevin Garnett, the man who could trash-talk even in his sleep, wasn’t just one of the NBA’s best big men; he was a basketball icon. A 2008 championship, a 2004 MVP, and some accolades more adorned his career. Behind the scenes, his then-wife, Brandi Padilla, was a key figure in his life. She was there through the highs and lows, supporting him during his Hall of Fame-worthy journey until his retirement in 2016.
But things didn’t stay rosy forever. Soon after his retirement, cracks in their relationship began to show. After almost 14 years of marriage, the couple filed for divorce in 2018. What followed was a lengthy legal battle before they officially parted ways. So let’s explore the events that transpired.
Basketball game carried the spark
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Born on January 25, 1976, Brandi Padilla kept a relatively low profile before her life with the NBA superstar. The two first crossed paths in 1996 during a Minnesota Timberwolves game, sparking a romance that would lead to marriage in a private ceremony in 2004. Together, they welcomed a daughter, Capri, forming what seemed like a picture-perfect family.
For years, Brandi was a familiar face at Garnett’s games and events, often seen cheering him on from the stands. But after 13 years of marriage, things took a sharp turn when she requested both spousal and child support, dragging the case to court before they could settle.
Legal complications in divorce
Divorce is messy, and for Kevin Garnett, it came with a hefty price tag. Back in 2019, court documents revealed that the NBA star was ordered to pay $100,000 monthly to his ex-wife, Brandi Garnett, to cover both child and spousal support. But here’s the catch—this was just a temporary arrangement until they could finalize a permanent deal.
According to The Blast, Brandi had originally sought $46,000 a month for child support, claiming she’d have the kid 95% of the time. On top of that, she wanted $146,000 in spousal support and $300,000 to cover her legal fees. While Garnett had already paid $75,000 toward those legal costs, the court awarded Brandi the full $300,000 she requested, plus an extra $225,000 in rulings.
But the battle didn’t stop at financial support. Brandi also sought full physical custody of their two kids. Garnett fired back, requesting joint custody and asking the court to terminate spousal support entirely. His reasoning? A prenuptial agreement they had signed a month before their wedding. Brandi wasn’t having it, though. She says she had signed the agreement “under duress,” and accused the Boston Celtics star of violating the terms.
Here’s where things got murkier. According to Brandi, the prenup heavily favored Garnett, stating that “almost everything would be his.” She claimed the agreement allowed her only a one-time payment of $500,000 to $1 million unless Kevin funded a joint account worth $12 million, of which she would receive half if they divorced. But when they split, Brandi argued the account was nearly empty, accusing Garnett of breaching the agreement. To make matters worse, the prenup supposedly left no room for spousal support, which only fueled the legal drama further.
Not only that, Garnett’s wife also accused him of holding out on their joint fortune. She claims that after they split, Garnett made a killing, raking in millions. The two, she claims, had filed updated tax returns, which led to an $11 million payout – but Garnett allegedly believes the entire sum belongs to him. He also made some savvy investment moves, selling off assets for around $5 million.
“Brandi got none of it,” her lawyer had reportedly argued.
While the 2008 champion had claimed they had agreed upon $100,000 in temporary support, a ruling was requested in a single trial further. But the developments haven’t been extensively disclosed since, though, the two have went their separate ways.
What is Kevin Garnett’s wife doing after the divorce?
Brandi Padilla has kept her post-divorce life low-key, steering clear of the public eye as much as possible. While she’s embraced a more private lifestyle, she’s also stepped into entrepreneurship. Brandi is now a businesswoman, though details about her ventures remain scarce. She’s not one to share much on social media, making her current life something of a mystery.
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Interestingly, Brandi hasn’t remarried since her split from Garnett. Instead, she’s been focusing on raising their daughter and seems to prefer her role as a full-time mom. Reports suggest her net worth has climbed to $300,000, thanks in part to her business endeavors, including running a beauty salon. It’s clear she’s prioritizing family over fame while building a life for herself away from the spotlight.
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Meanwhile, the Celtics legend has also taken a step back from basketball. Despite his legendary career, he hasn’t pursued coaching or other roles in the sport. However, his presence is still felt through his social media activity and occasional public appearances.
On top of that, Kevin Garnett has embraced podcasting. His “KG Certified Podcast” dives into various topics, while his collaboration with Paul Pierce on The Truth and The Ticket podcast is a fan favorite, drawing thousands of views regularly.
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Did Kevin Garnett's prenup really protect him, or did it just fuel the divorce drama?
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Did Kevin Garnett's prenup really protect him, or did it just fuel the divorce drama?
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