Tarek El Moussa Says Relationship with Christina Hall Is Better Than It's Ever Been Since Split (Exclusive)

Seven years after their explosive divorce, the HGTV star says he and his ex wife and former 'Flip or Flop' co-star have healed considerably

Seven years after their public divorce, Tarek El Moussa says he and Christina Hall have come a very long way.

The exes, who split in 2016, continued to film their hit HGTV show together for several years after parting ways, which made it difficult for El Moussa to move on, he tells PEOPLE exclusively while talking about his new book Flip Your Life: How to Find Opportunity in Distress — in Real Estate, Business and Life (out Feb 6) in this week's issue, But today, their relationship is “better than it's been ever, since the separation," he says.

While he describes the months that followed their split as some of his darkest, and in particular, the day he found out that Hall had "moved on" with second husband Ant Anstead, whom she began dating in October 2017, as "devastating," he holds no more grudges.

"I hold nothing against Christina. I don't blame her. I understand why she did what she did," El Moussa says. "We had a lot of hard years through my sicknesses and my mental health struggles from the testosterone. So no ill feelings, and I understand her point of view."

He adds, "I've never said any of this, ever."

Related: Everything Exes Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack Have Said About Each Other Since Their Split

El Moussa battled cancer twice, suffered a serious back injury and, as a result, became addicted to steroids during their seven-year marriage, all of which compounded the couple's issues, until things blew up during an incident involving a gun and a 911 call in May 2016.

Of deciding to share his side of the story now, he explains, "I think it was important for me to talk about that situation in the book. I finally got to share a little bit of details about the story, and I think it's good. It's going to give a lot of closure to a lot of people."

And that includes himself.

Related: Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall's Relationship Timeline

Both Hall and El Moussa have since entered into new relationships and expanded their families.

He married Selling Sunset alum Heather El Moussa in 2021 and the pair welcomed their son Tristan in January 2023. Christina had son Hudson 4, with Anstead before they split. She married her third husband Josh Hall in 2022.

Related: Tarek El Moussa Finally Tells His Version of Gun Incident That Ended Marriage to Christina Hall (Exclusive) 

Writing has also been cathartic for the star, who's been working on Flip Your Life for years.

After the split, he explains, "I was so lost and sad and lonely. I didn't even want to get out of bed, But as time went on, I really wanted to share what happened, but the time was just never right, Now I feel like the time's right."

He also hopes to pass on some of the wisdom his hardship earned him. "The focus of the book has always been the same," he says. "How can I share my stories of highs and lows and ups and downs and give hope and provide inspiration to others, and that's always been the goal."

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