Closer Look at Ben Foster and Laura Prepon’s 6-Year Relationship As the Couple File for Divorce
- Ben Foster and Laura Prepon met as teens, but their romance ignited in 2016.
- The couple married in 2018, had two kids, and seemed like a perfect match.
- After five years, they’re divorcing, citing 'irreconcilable differences' and a prenup.
Ben Foster and Laura Prepon, two familiar faces in Hollywood, recently made headlines when they announced their divorce after 6 years of marriage. If you’re wondering how this couple, who seemed perfect together, got here, let’s take a closer look at their journey—from teenage friendship to love, marriage, and now, separation.
Their relationship wasn’t the usual Hollywood story. The two actually knew each other as teenagers, long before they became a couple. Fast forward to 2016, and things took a romantic turn. By the end of that year, the couple was engaged, and not long after, they were married in a quiet ceremony in 2018.
They also built a family together, welcoming two kids. But, after five years of marriage, Prepon filed for divorce. So, what went wrong? Let’s dive in and explore the story of Foster and Prepon’s relationship, from their first meeting to their split.
When Did Ben Foster and Laura Prepon First Meet?
Ben Foster and Laura Prepon‘s story began a lot earlier than you might think. Though they were both up-and-coming actors in Hollywood, they didn’t meet in the usual ‘big break’ way. They actually crossed paths as teenagers, years before their romance began. They didn’t exactly start dating then, but their friendship slowly grew over time.
The turning point came in July 2016. These two were spotted “making out” with some serious PDA over dinner in New York City—clearly, their friendship had turned into something more (a source told US Weekly).
Just a few weeks later, they were celebrating the 4th of July together in New Jersey. It was clear that their relationship was growing fast. By October 2016, they made their first official public appearance as a couple at the Girl on the Train premiere. Prepon showed off her engagement ring, confirming they were ready to take the next step in their relationship.
When Did Ben Foster and Laura Prepon Marry?
Ben Foster and Laura Prepon kept their wedding pretty low-key compared to other celebrity couples, which only made fans more curious. In June 2018, the actress posted a sweet photo on Instagram with the caption, “Just Married! Thank you for all the love and support. Wishing all of us the good stuff!” The sepia-toned picture revealed the couple’s happy news.
They didn’t throw a huge public wedding bash or a media frenzy. Instead, they kept it quiet and focused on what mattered most—each other. While the details of the wedding day were kept private, it was obvious they were in love and starting a new chapter together.
How Many Kids Do Ben Foster and Laura Prepon Have?
In addition to their love story, Foster and Prepon shared another joy—starting a family. In August 2017, they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Ella. Though they weren’t married yet.
Then, in February 2019, the couple welcomed their second child—a baby boy. She shared a heartwarming Instagram post to celebrate the new arrival, captioning the photo: “Welcoming home our new bundle of love.” It was clear the couple was overjoyed by their growing family.
They often shared pictures of their kids, showing just how much love and joy they had for their children. For a while, everything seemed perfect—the couple had a strong relationship, two beautiful kids, and a growing family. But as we know, not all stories have a happy ending.
Why Did Ben Foster and Laura Prepon Divorce?
After five years of marriage, Foster and Prepon have decided to go their separate ways. According to paperwork obtained by PEOPLE, Foster filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
He stated that they simply couldn’t “live together successfully as husband and wife” anymore. They had grown apart and couldn’t make things work. Foster also specified that the date of separation was September 9, 2023. This means that even though the news is just coming out, they’ve been living apart for some time now.
Ben Foster’s Net Worth
Ben Foster has a net worth of $12 million (via Celebrity Net Worth), and it’s easy to see why. This actor has been around Hollywood for a while, taking on all kinds of roles. You might remember him as Angel in X-Men: The Last Stand, but his career goes way beyond that.
He started out on the Disney Channel show Flash Forward as a teenager, then slowly made his way into darker, more serious projects. He’s been in everything from action movies like 3:10 to Yuma to critically acclaimed films like Hell or High Water.
Foster also spent some time on stage, starring in plays like Orphans and A Streetcar Named Desire. On TV, he earned two Screen Actors Guild nominations for his role in Six Feet Under. With a career spanning films like Lone Survivor, Alpha Dog, and The Messenger, Foster has built up a solid reputation – and a solid paycheck, too.
Laura Prepon’s Net Worth
Laura Prepon is best known for her role as Alex Vause in Orange is the New Black on Netflix. Her acting career, along with her various TV and film projects, has been a big source of her income.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, she also currently sits at a net worth of $12 million. In 2008, the actress bought a house in Los Angeles for $2.3 million, which she sold for $3.18 million in 2019, making a nice profit. It’s clear real estate is a side hustle for her!
Before acting, Prepon had dreams of becoming a doctor, but she got into modeling at 15, which led her to Europe. Her first acting gig was a commercial for Italian Uncle Ben’s Rice, which she’s probably laughing about now.
She gained fame as Donna Pinciotti on That ’70s Show, where she worked for eight years. From there, she landed roles in shows like How I Met Your Mother, October Road, Castle, and Men at Work.
The star also served as an executive producer and star in the 2004 film Lightning Bug. She’s been in a variety of films, including Karla, Slackers, Lay the Favorite, The Kitchen, and The Hero – and, of course, her iconic role as Alex Vause has cemented her place in pop culture.
The Prenup and What’s Next for Ben Foster and Laura Prepon?
One important detail in the divorce is the prenup. Before they got married, Foster and Prepon signed a prenuptial agreement that lays out how their assets and debts should be divided if things don’t work out.
Now, Foster is asking the court to honor that agreement as part of the divorce proceedings. The 41-year-old has also requested that both parties cover their own attorney fees and split any court costs evenly.
While this sounds like a fairly standard divorce process, it’s clear that the pair is trying to handle the breakup in a calm and respectful manner. They have reportedly agreed on a parenting plan for their two children, which will be included in the divorce finalization.
In terms of how their actual assets—like their careers, properties, and investments—will be divided, it will likely follow the structure laid out in the prenup. Both actors have considerable assets (with net worths of $12 million each), which will be addressed according to their specific agreement.