Former Alabama first lady Dianne Bentley doing fine after divorce
Former Alabama first lady Dianne Bentley says she’s “doing fine” days after her divorce from Gov. Robert Bentley. WSFA-TV reports that Bentley made the comments during an appearance Thursday night in Montgomery. Dianne Bentley filed for divorce from the governor in late August, citing an irretrievable breakdown, and a judge officially ended their 50-year marriage on Tuesday. The former first lady says God is helping her, and expressed thanks for prayers. She says she still wants to represent the state “as a lady” even though she isn’t first lady anymore. Bentley’s comments came outside the state Capitol at a rally against domestic violence. Bentley campaigned for domestic violence awareness and prevention as first lady, and she says she wants to continue doing that. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Robert, Dianne Bentley divorce final: records show how couple will divvy up assets, alimony, Alabama football tickets
A judge on Tuesday signed a divorce decree for Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and former first lady Dianne Bentley, quietly concluding the couple’s 50-year marriage. Tuscaloosa Family Court Judge Philip Lisenby signed the decree a day after the Bentleys submitted an agreement to divide their financial assets and a month after Dianne Bentley filed for divorce saying their marriage had suffered an “irretrievable breakdown.” Dianne Bentley told the judge in a sworn statement unsealed Tuesday that the couple, both 72, had become incompatible, citing a difference in their preferred lifestyle. “During my marriage to my husband our likes, dislikes and lifestyles have become so different that it has caused discord and arguments in our home. We have become incompatible and our differences cannot be resolved,” Dianne Bentley said in the sworn testimony. “I know that we cannot live together again and that our separation is now permanent. I feel that a divorce is in the best interest of both us and our family,” she said. The court record did little to shed light on the specific differences that led to the marriage’s disintegration, but indicated that the governor disagreed with the contention that the marriage was beyond repair. The governor submitted a brief court response saying he agreed with some statements, such as that they have adult children, and the location of their residences. “Defendant denies each and every other allegation contained in said complaint,” Bentley wrote. However, the governor did not fight the divorce proceeding. The couple on Monday jointly submitted an agreement dividing their financial assets accumulated over their marriage and Bentley’s career as a dermatologist. Dianne Bentley will have possession of the couple’s two beach homes. The former first lady can reside at the couple’s Tuscaloosa home until the end of 2017, but Bentley will have title to the property. The governor will retain possession of the property that belonged to his family in Shelby County. Dianne Bentley will get ownership of the couple’s Fidelity investment account and half of the governor’s Individual Retirement Account. The agreement, like most divorces, spells out the minute details of dividing possessions. The former first lady will keep her jewelry and most household furnishings. The governor will keep his University of Alabama football tickets and all memorabilia from his time as governor. “The last four weeks have been a very difficult time for my family and for our state. The people of Alabama have prayed for us and have encouraged us. For that, I am extremely grateful,” Gov. Bentley said in a statement issued Monday after the divorce agreement was filed. A judge had initially sealed the divorce case at the request of couple, but multiple news media outlets filed a motion to have the case made public. Lisenby unsealed the sparse record on Tuesday at the couple’s request. When Bentley, a legislator from Tuscaloosa, launched what was then a longshot bid for governor in 2010, his wife said at the time she was not excited at the prospect of being a politician’s wife but grew to love visiting the state’s small towns. “I’m just a very shy person. I’m not comfortable out with people and crowds,” she said in an interview. The governor has said he had felt tired and “dying” as his medical career wound down, but felt a renewed purpose and energy with his election in 2010. “I believe in my heart I was placed here to do a job,” Bentley told his Cabinet last month. While the divorce filing said the Bentleys had been separated since January, the couple continued to travel together and made appearances at public events, according to public records. Dianne Bentley signed the divorce papers Aug. 26. On Aug. 28, the smiling couple made a joint appearance with college mascots at the Governor’s Mansion less than an hour after the divorce papers were stamped as filed. The couple met at the University of Alabama, when Bentley, a dermatologist, was in his first year of medical school. Dianne Bentley said during campaign interviews that she worked in medical labs for $325 a month to help put him through medical school. They have four adult sons, seven granddaughters and one grandson. The Bentleys marked their 50th wedding anniversary in July. The first couple, or their public relations staff, traded anniversary wishes via their official social media accounts, and the governor tweeted a photo from their wedding. “Today @FirstLadyDB and I celebrate another wonderful year of marriage. Happy Anniversary Dianne!” the governor wrote. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Divorce a “Difficult time” for Governor Robert Bentley
Gov. Robert Bentley says his divorce is a private matter and thanked people for their prayers in what he described as a “difficult time.” The governor made his first public appearance Wednesday since First Lady Dianne Bentley filed papers last week to end their 50-year marriage. Bentley declined to comment further about the couple’s split after speaking to reporters following his speech to an economic development group. Bentley says it’s a “private matter that we’re working through.” Dianne Bentley filed for divorce Friday, saying their 50-year marriage had suffered an irretrievable breakdown. A judge on Monday sealed the divorce file from public view. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Judge seals Alabama governor’s divorce file from public view
A judge has ordered that Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley‘s divorce case be sealed from public view. Tuscaloosa Circuit Judge Elizabeth Hamner issued the order Monday after the couple’s attorneys jointly requested that the records be kept private. Lawyers told the judge that it would be in the best interest of both parties to keep the divorce records private. The request noted the governor’s position as a prominent public office holder. Dianne Bentley filed for divorce on Friday, saying the couple’s 50-year marriage had suffered an irretrievable breakdown. The divorce filing said the couple separated in January. Court records show that the governor is represented in the divorce by Birmingham attorney Lisa Lynn Woods. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
This is where we’re drawing the line
With the recent leak of Ashley Madison data and now the breaking news of the First Lady filing for divorce this is a good time to draw line on what Alabama Today will be covering. Yes, we did a story about the state government emails included in the leak. No, we have not named names. Yes, we realize their are people involved in Alabama politics on the list but we have chosen not to publish them. We frequently, maybe a little too frequently are told of personal troubles in the private lives and marriages of elected official officials, lobbyists and political aides. This is not news worthy for the purposes of this site unless or until it affects their ability to do their job or calls into question abuse of their job. Why? Because of respect for privacy of those involved. These cases aren’t a daytime drama or evening TV series like “Scandal” or “House of Cards.” Those in politics and business have families with challenges as do all of us and they make mistakes as do all of us. While the Governor Robert Bentley‘s divorce is news worthy the further reasons should remain personal. He and his wife have children and grandchildren and their privacy should be respected. The results of the Ashley Madison leak have been and will be real hurt, anger, humiliation and betrayal and splashing names online for a sideline view of tragedy is wrong. Celebrating personal failures or speculating about details is wrong. No one knows what’s happening inside the homes of their neighbor and it’s no ones business. We will monitor the breaking news with the first lady’s filing and will report on the news aspects as deemed appropriate.
