Ashley Darby and the Tumultuous Divorce: Unveiling the Shadows Behind 8 Years of a “Magical Marriage”

“The Real Housewives of Potomac” star Ashley Darby, 36, has officially filed for divorce from her husband, Michael Darby, 65, ending over seven years of marriage.

The couple, who tied the knot in May 2014, officially separated in April 2022. According to TMZ, they have reached a fair and amicable divorce settlement, which includes joint custody of their two sons, Dean (5) and Dylan (3).

Michael Darby, a businessman in the real estate and restaurant industries, shared that the couple had signed a prenuptial agreement before their marriage. Despite their separation, both are committed to co-parenting their children in a loving and stable environment.

Ashley’s Journey Through Divorce and Finding Balance in a New Chapter

The separation has been a central storyline on The Real Housewives of Potomac, with Ashley frequently opening up about the ongoing divorce proceedings on the show.

After announcing her separation, Ashley moved out of their shared home and began dating Luke Gulbranson, star of Summer House, in late 2022. However, that relationship was short-lived, and she is currently not in a public relationship.

During an episode of Watch What Happens Live, Ashley revealed that more details about her divorce would be discussed at the reunion for season 9 of the show. Speaking with Page Six earlier, she said:

“I wish I could put a definitive timeline on this divorce, but it’s been incredibly hard. This is such an emotional process, and I even went through a bit of depression thinking about where my life is now versus where I thought it would be.”

Reflections on Eight Years of Marriage and a Heartfelt Farewell

In her official statement released in April 2022, Ashley expressed:

“Almost eight years ago, when Michael and I said ‘I do,’ we hoped to share every moment together. Unfortunately, that’s not our current reality. We have decided to separate.”

She dismissed speculation that their breakup was due to factors like the intrusion of reality TV, their age gap, cultural differences, or parenting styles.

“We are now at very different stages in our lives and have different goals for the future. While our romantic bond is broken, we will always love and respect each other.”

Michael Darby’s Controversial Past

Michael Darby, originally from Melbourne, Australia, was at the center of a scandal during season 4 of RHOP when he was accused of sexually harassing a Bravo cameraman in 2018. Although the charges were dismissed due to a lack of evidence, the incident negatively impacted his reputation.

Ashley also faced public scrutiny over allegations of Michael’s infidelity on the show. In a 2022 interview with E! News, she explained:

“We’ve had our fair share of issues, some of which have been very public. But ultimately, I remind myself that Michael is the person I chose to spend my life with. If I can still love, forgive, and want to continue with him, then what others say doesn’t matter.”

Looking Ahead to a New Future

Despite the end of her marriage, Ashley remains resilient as both a mother and an individual. She is focused on creating a brighter future and raising Dean and Dylan in an environment full of love and support.

The Real Housewives of Potomac continues to air on Sundays on Bravo, offering a deeper look into Ashley’s life following this major turning point.