Kim Mathers

September 20, 2006

Email this Print this BY JOHN MASSON

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
A look at the couple’s second marriage

Here is a look at the most recent marriage and divorce of Eminem (aka Marshall B. Mathers III) and Kimberley Mathers.

Jan. 9: Couple applies for marriage license in Macomb County.

Jan. 14: They are married at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Hills.

April 5: Eminem files for divorce.

April 26: Kimberley Mathers files response, seeking financial support and for Eminem to continue paying for the couple’s Clinton Township home.

In a countercomplaint, she also asks for custody of their daughter.

June 22: Couple meets in private for the first time since the divorce was filed.

Sept. 19: After a second meeting, case is referred to a mediator and a Dec. 19 trial date is set.
Rap megastar Eminem and wife Kimberley Mathers could be headed for trial in their ongoing divorce case after a settlement conference Tuesday in Macomb County Circuit Court failed to reach an agreement.

Mathers and Eminem, whose given name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, met privately Tuesday morning in the chambers of Chief Judge Antonio P. Viviano. They asked Viviano to appoint attorney Dan Stepek to try to mediate a settlement of property and issues stemming from their prenuptial agreement.

Viviano granted that request, and though the divorce may be worked out through mediation, he set a Dec. 19 trial date.

Neither Eminem nor his wife appeared in the courtroom, instead meeting behind closed doors for about an hour.

The couple share custody of their 10-year-old daughter, Hailie. They were married for the second time in April, but the rapper filed for divorce just 82 days later, citing in court papers “a breakdown in the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed.”

The filing did not give specifics. Kimberley Mathers filed a response and countercomplaint three weeks later, asking for financial support from Eminem and custody of their daughter.

Eminem’s attorney, Harvey I. Hauer of Bingham Farms, did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Kimberley Mathers’ attorney, Michael J. Smith of Sterling Heights, said the meeting was comfortable.

“Nobody likes to be in court,” Smith said. “But both parties want to do what’s best for their children, so everybody’s going in that direction.”

Kimberley Mathers also has a daughter from a prior relationship.

Viviano also ordered any paperwork challenging the prenuptial agreement to be filed at least six weeks before the trial, with responses filed no less than a month before the trial.

Contact JOHN MASSON at 586-469-4904 or masson@freepress.com.

By DAVID N. GOODMAN

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. Sep 19, 2006 (AP)— Eminem, his estranged wife and their lawyers met privately in a judge’s chambers Tuesday but failed to agree to terms for the couple’s second divorce.

“We didn’t settle it, so all we did was set it for mediation,” Macomb County Circuit Judge Antonio Viviano told reporters after the conference, which lasted about an hour.

Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, filed for divorce from Kimberley Mathers on April 5, 82 days after their second wedding.

The couple had daughter Hailie in 1996, married in 1999, divorced in 2001, remarried on Jan. 14 and then quickly separated again.

The 33-year-old rapper has used his sometimes tormented relationship with his high school sweetheart as a source of some of his angriest lyrics.

Kimberley Mathers, 31, has another daughter and is raising her sister’s daughter. Eminem has been legal guardian of his half brother.

Kimberley Mathers declined comment on her way out of the courthouse. Eminem wasn’t seen leaving the building.

His lawyer, Harvey Hauer, and Kimberley Mathers’ lawyer, Michael J. Smith, wouldn’t discuss the hearing but expressed optimism for a settlement.

“Mr. Mathers’ only concern is the welfare of his children,” Hauer said. “Hopefully, we’ll put the matter behind us.”

“Like Marshall … what she really wants is the welfare of the children,” Smith said. “The parties are hopeful that it will be settled amicably.”

Eminem has won nine Grammy Awards, including best rap album for “The Slim Shady LP,” “The Marshall Mathers LP” and “The Eminem Show.” He won an Oscar for the song “Lose Yourself” from “8 Mile,” the semi-autobiographical 2002 film in which he starred.

His latest recording project, “Eminem Presents: The Re-Up,” will be released in December.

Initially expected to be a street mixtape project designed to help launch new artists on his record label, Shady Records, the CD now will be offered for sale in record stores by Interscope Records.

Interscope is part of Universal Music Group Recordings Inc.

The following Detnews article included this recent Kim Mathers pic.

(published in DetNews)

Kimberley Mathers, the once and likely future ex-wife of hip-hop star Eminem, filed court papers last week asking for financial support and physical custody of the couple’s 10-year-old daughter.

Mathers’ attorney, Michael J. Smith, filed her response to Eminem’s divorce petition and a counter-complaint April 26 in Macomb County Circuit Court. In the filings, she asks for Eminem, who was born Marshall Mathers, to pay her attorney fees for the divorce proceedings, as well as the cost of the mortgage, insurance and utilities for the home the couple shared in Clinton Township.

The documents also state that she wants to share legal custody of the couple’s daughter, Halie, but wants Eminem to provide child support.

Her filings shed no light on what led Eminem to file for divorce last month, just 82 days after they wed in Rochester Hills. They first married in 1999 and divorced in 2001.

Eminem’s divorce filing said the couple have a prenuptial agreement.

Attorneys for Eminem and Mathers did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday.

You can look at Eminem and Kim’s divorce papers here. (PDF)

Eminem Files For Divorce; Kim Responds On Mojo In The Morning

Marshall Mathers has filed for divorce from his wife Kim just 82 days after remarrying her. In December, Eminem used Mojo In The Morning to announce to the world that the high school sweethearts planned to have an encore wedding. The reconciliation included a private wedding at Rochester’s Meadow Brook Hall. But on Wednesday morning, Marshall filed papers with the Macomb County Courthouse asking for a divorce and now Mojo In The Morning is in the center of the controversy yet again.

Kimberly Mathers called our show this morning to tell us that the divorce filing was a surprise to her: “I was hoping we could go to counseling and work things out but he sent an attorney to my house with papers and said that [Marshall] filed for divorce.” Kim also alluded to Eminem’s past drug addictions coming back to haunt him. She said that he moved out of their mansion six weeks ago and is now living in their Oakland County home. Kim confessed, “I see him doing a lot of the same things I did when I had my problem. I see exactly the same pattern that I was falling in. I was there so I’ve tried to reach out but unfortunately right now, if that’s not what he wants then there’s nothing anybody can do.”

Kim shared details of her children, saying that she agrees that Marshall should have joint custody of their daughter Hailie Jade. The divorce filing mentioned no special arrangements for Laney (Marshall’s neice) or Whitney (Kim’s daughter from a previous relationship) who lived with the couple. Marshall had legally adopted Laney and rapped about her in his recent song “When I’m Gone.” Kim said that Hailie learned about the divorce by listening to the radio station. When Mojo asked if it would be possible to get family life to get back to normal, Kim replied “I hope it doesn’t take losing everything, but right now we don’t even speak. I haven’t talked to him in over a month.” Spike reminded Kim that Eminem is a frequent listener and she could use the airwaves to reach out to him. Kim addressed Marshall directly: “I love you and I’m here for you. If you need anybody… I’m really sorry that things happened this way.”

Sara asked Kim if the marriage might have worked this time if Marshall wasn’t facing the drug abuse that she claims he is currently going through. She said, “I believe in my heart that it would have.” Mojo ended the conversation by asking Kim if she would remarry Eminem years down the road if he was clean and sober. She replied, “I never wanted to be separated. It’s not my choice, but it didn’t work out that way, I got an attorney at the door instead.”

Eminem’s response sent via e-mail: The details surrounding both my marriage and subsequent filing for divorce are private and I had hoped to keep them that way for the sake of my family. However, a few of Kim’s statements in the interview this morning need to be addressed. First, her allegations regarding my status post-rehab are both untrue and unfortunate. Second, she was aware that I was filing for divorce. We both tried to give our marriage another chance and quickly realized that a wedding doesn’t fix the underlying problems.

Mojo In The Morning respects Marshall’s privacy and we hope the situation resolves itself in a fashion that is best for his family. We also offer Marshall our airwaves should he ever wish to address unfounded rumors or set the record straight with his fans here in Detroit.

Eminem’s dysfunctional relationship with wife Kim has hit another low – he filed divorce papers Wednesday, less than three months after remarrying her.

The filing on behalf of Marshall Bruce Mathers III, Eminem’s real name, was confirmed by Eminem’s publicist, Dennis Dennehy, and two employees of the Macomb County clerk’s office. They didn’t provide their names, citing an office policy.

Dennehy had no other comment Wednesday.

The Grammy- and Oscar-winning rapper and Mathers remarried Jan. 14, a month after the couple announced they were getting back together.

Their first marriage ended after two-plus years in October 2001 in an ugly legal fight that included a custody battle over their daughter, Hailie.

Though the marital issues of most rappers wouldn’t make headlines, Eminem has used his tormented relationship with Kim, his high school sweetheart, as a source of his most popular and demented rhymes. He’s killed her off in song and assailed her with his lyrics – but that was before they got back together.

Eminem, 33, and Mathers, 30, reconciled in late 2004, and he announced in December 2005 that they would get back together.

The pair grew up in the suburbs along Eight Mile Road, Detroit’s northern border.

Last August, it was announced that Eminem had entered a hospital to undergo treatment for sleep medication dependency. A month earlier, he denied reports that he was preparing to retire from recording.

Eminem rose to pop stardom by delivering a number of best-selling CDs, deeply personal lyrics and a starring role in the 2002 film “8 Mile.”

He has won nine Grammys, including best rap album for “The Slim Shady LP,” “The Marshall Mathers LP” and “The Eminem Show.” He won an Oscar for the song “Lose Yourself” from “8 Mile.”

Eminem and his wife Kim haven’t been lucky with their families. Relationships have always been complicated between family members on both sides.

In 1997, Kim’s stepfather did everything he could for Marshall not to see Hailie when the couple separated, threatening him with a gun and shouting at him:

You are no good. I don’t wanna see you again or I’ll kill you.

All of a sudden, Marshall’s fame has changed some people’s attitude towards the talented rapper, particularly inside of Marshall and Kim’s family. People who despised him suddenly came up with some friendly manners while some others became real enemies, trying to get each dollar he earned a very hard way.
Maybe the sarcasm contained in the following line from the Marshall Mathers song has to do with Kim’s stepfather’s attitude:

« Now everybody’s so happy and proud
I’m finally allowed to step foot in my girlfriend’s house… »

When Marshall married Kim for the first time, his mom and his granny were present, while Kim’s family was absent:

« The first time Kim and Marshall married, none of Kim’s family were here. So Kim’s mother was very angry. And so, this time, none of our family were there. »

It looks like things were reversed at Marshall’s second wedding ceremony: Debbie Mathers and Betty Kresin were not invited while Kim’s family was allowed to participate to the ceremony- with an exception for Dawn, Kim’s twin sister who, for any reason, could not attend the ceremony.

Matter of fact: Betty Kresin isn’t really happy with her grandson Marshall’s decision to remarry Kim. She doesn’t grant his marriage many chances of survival:

« I’m giving the marriage only a 10 percent chance – 18 months, top. »

She bases her statement on Kim’s « wicked » personality and thinks that her grandson is just repeating her own past mistakes:

« I know Marshall loves Kim and he will give this marriage 100 percent.
But I fear Kim, who’s very selfish and who I doubt has changed her self-absorbed personality and will only give it 10 percent.
Marshall is just following in my footsteps and I fear he’s doomed to the same results.
I remarried my ex-husband – and that didn’t last either.
It’ll be a miracle if Kim and Marshall’s marriage survives. »

Did Betty state all this out of bitterness or is there something true in her statements?
We cannot claim to have an objective answer to this question, since we don’t know Marshall nor Kim personally. Anyway, Marshall wanted to give his marriage a second chance. Regarding marriages, nobody can prophecy the future…if this marriage is meant to last, only time will tell. Also, the couple has certainly matured: Marshall and Kim have probably learnt from their former mistakes.
Betty Kresin should definitely let her grandson decide about his life choices in ANY case. He is the person who will share his daily life with Kim, not Betty. Marshall decided to give his marriage with Kim a second chance and to reunite his family, which honors him.

At least, Betty, let him try instead of criticizing him!

Betty also found Eminem’s decision not to invite his mom at his wedding ceremony very cruel:

« That was very cruel.
I doubt Debbie has six months to live but no matter how sick she is, she would have gone to the wedding if she’d been invited. And she should have been. »

Regarding the situation, knowing that his mom is gravely ill, I think that Marshall should envision reconciliation with her as a solution.

Of course, he has been deeply hurt by his mom’s behavior, but forgiveness might help him to move on with his deep inside wounds and to get rid of those demons of the past that keep haunting him.

Maybe he should also grant his daughter the chance to see her grandmother.

Talking about my own life, I have spent years of arguing with my parents, years of misunderstandings etc…all I can say is that time is flying away…now they are old and fragile and I don’t think that their past mistakes matter that much to me.

Marshall is the only one to decide, but giving his mom a second chance would certainly be a blessing in his life.