Former MLB star David Justice has opened up about the reasons behind his 1990s divorce from Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry, citing a clash over traditional expectations of marriage and parenting. During an appearance on the All the Smoke podcast with co-host Matt Barnes, the retired Atlanta Braves outfielder reflected candidly on their four-year union, which ended in 1997, and addressed long-standing public perceptions about their split.
Justice, 58, attributed the dissolution of their marriage to differing views on gender roles and family life, rooted in his upbringing as a self-described “Midwest guy.” He recalled questioning Berry’s suitability as a lifelong partner at the time, stating, “In my mind, I’m thinking a wife should cook, clean, and if we have kids, is this the woman I want to build a family with? She didn’t cook, didn’t clean, didn’t really seem motherly.” The couple married in January 1993 but divorced four years later, with Berry later alleging domestic turmoil in interviews. Justice, however, contested her characterization, emphasizing, “She was dead wrong for making the world believe I was the problem.”
Acknowledging his limited romantic experience prior to their relationship, Justice suggested counseling might have salvaged the marriage. “I was young, naive—therapy wasn’t on my radar,” he said. “Maybe things would’ve been different.” The three-time All-Star has since been married to Rebecca Justice since 2001, with whom he shares two children.
Berry, 57, now in a long-term relationship with musician Van Hunt, has had subsequent marriages to Eric Benét (2001–2005) and Olivier Martinez (2013–2016). She shares daughter Nahla, 17, with ex-partner Gabriel Aubry and son Maceo, 11, with Martinez. Though Berry has not publicly addressed Justice’s recent remarks, their divorce—and the scrutiny it attracted—remains a footnote in the careers of both stars, who have since rebuilt their personal lives.
The comments reignite conversations about evolving marital expectations, particularly in partnerships involving high-profile figures with demanding careers. Justice’s reflections, shared decades later, underscore how personal histories and cultural norms can shape private relationships thrust into public view.
