Reese Witherspoon Has Officially Filed For Divorce From Jim Toth

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A Timeline of Reese Witherspoon and Jim TothChristopher Polk - Getty Images
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Actress Reese Witherspoon and talent agent Jim Toth started dating in 2010 and it wasn't long before they were engaged—when you know, you know! In 2011, they were married and welcomed their son Tennessee in 2012. They announced their divorce in March 2023, just two days shy of their 12th anniversary.

Still, the couple spent over a decade together, often sharing little updates from their family life on social media, although they kept their private business private.

In fact, there doesn't even seem to be any drama between Toth, Witherspoon, and her other ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, with whom she shares two children: Ava and Deacon. The former couple were married in 1999 and got divorced in 2008. After Witherspoon's wedding to Toth, Phillippe told the New York Daily News, “I’m very happy for both Reese and Jim. I wish nothing but the best for the mother of my children.”

Here, Toth and Witherspoon's history, from beginning to end:

January 2010

After her breakup with Phillippe, Witherspoon dated other people, including actor Jake Gyllenhaal. They broke up in December 2009, and she met Toth in the first month of the new year. They went public with their romance in March 2010.

March 2010

It didn't take long for Witherspoon to feel secure with Toth, and People reports she introduced him to her friends in March of that year at her birthday in Ojai, California.

April 2010

Toth was introduced to Ava and Deacon the following month at a church service celebrating the Easter holiday.

December 2010

They kept the details of their engagement pretty quiet, but did confirm with Us Weekly that it had happened, adding that they were “extremely happy.”

January 2011

The newly-engaged couple attended a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.

celebrities at the lakers game
Noel Vasquez - Getty Images

February 2011

They look great dressed up for their night at the Academy Awards while attending the Vanity Fair Oscars Party at the Sunset Tower Hotel.

2011 vanity fair oscar party hosted by graydon carter inside
Kevin Mazur/VF11 - Getty Images

March 2011

They're married!

The wedding took place on March 26, 2011, at Witherspoon's ranch estate in Ojai, according to People. Witherspoon wore a custom Monique Lhuillier gown in a blush tone before changing into a white silk minidress also by Lhuillier for the reception. Ava served as her maid-of-honor and wore a custom Lhuillier dress like her mom.

“He’s a very confident guy who takes care of her,” a source told Us at the time, while a second insider said: “[Reese] really wants to be married and have that security with someone. They feel like they’ve hit the jackpot in this relationship!”

May 2011

In an interview with Elle UK in March of 2011, Witherspoon talked about being surprised by falling in love with Toth.

“It’s an exciting feeling. [Somebody saying,] ‘You’re The One,’” she explained. “And it’s a surprise. You know, I’m surprised when people who aren’t related to me see my movies. And you’re surprised somebody wants to be with you because, boy, I’ve got a lot of quirks and wrinkles.”

September 2011

Talking to Marie Claire in September of that year, she discussed Toth's great relationship to her kids.

“I got lucky. I did. I got very lucky. He’s so wonderful with the children. I’m very blessed,” she said. “Somebody close to me once said, ‘Oh, no man will ever accept your children.’ And I just thought it was the most horrifying thing someone has ever said to me in my entire life. And until I got remarried, I don’t think I realized how stressed I was. I feel so much relief. I don’t think I realized how stressed I was being a single parent. It was really, really stressful. It’s not easy on anybody. It’s really traumatic.”

November 2011

Toth accompanies Witherspoon to the 2011 LACMA's Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles.

lacma's art film gala 2011 arrivals
Jason Merritt - Getty Images

February 2012

In her February 2012 ELLE cover story, Witherspoon shared more about meeting Toth for the first time.

“It happened out of the blue,” she said. “This really drunk guy was hitting on me, making such an idiot of himself, yelling at me. He was like, [slurring, scowling, pointing finger in her face] ‘You don’t know me.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, I know. I don’t know you!’”

That wasn't Toth. He was the guy who stepped in.

“Jim came over and said, ‘Please excuse my friend,” Witherspoon went on. “‘He’s just broken up with someone.’ Jim was a really good friend, pulling him out of that situation. That’s just kind of who he is, a really good person.”

August 2012

Witherspoon is photographed in her maternity wear as they await their first child together.

celebrity sightings bauer griffin 2012
Bauer-Griffin - Getty Images

September 2012

Baby Tennessee is born on September 27, 2012.

“Reese Witherspoon and husband Jim Toth welcomed Tennessee James into their family today,” they said in a statement at the time. “Both mom and baby are healthy and the entire family is thrilled.”

February 2013

Toth accompanies Witherspoon to the 85th Academy Awards.

85th annual academy awards arrivals
Jason Merritt - Getty Images

September 2014

While promoting her film Wild, Witherspoon told Us Weekly a little bit about her date nights with Toth.

“Our date nights are mainly helping our kids with homework,” she joked. “And then, going to sleep.”

January 2016

In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Witherspoon credited Toth with some of her production work inspiration.

“He said, ‘You should produce movies. You read more books than anybody I know. You should just buy some of them and turn them into films.’”

In that same interview, she was asked for the secret to a successful marriage, to which she replied, “I don’t have the answer to that question.”

Witherspoon continued, “In a true partnership, people need to be appreciated for everything they bring to the table. I have a husband who supports my dreams and my ideas. He helps me with everything. I’m very lucky.”

January 2018

Witherspoon and Toth celebrated their friend Laura Dern with some matching t-shirts.

“FEEL THE DERN #fridaynight,” Witherspoon wrote.

March 2018

In an interview with Marie Claire, Witherspoon said, “I get a lot of support from my husband, who cares deeply about equality and always tells me, ‘Why wouldn't you call the person in charge of a company and have a personal relationship with them?’ He’s encouraged me to be outspoken.”

March 2020

The couple bought a new English country-style home in Los Angeles during the early days of COVID-19 lockdown, which Architectural Digest reported cost $15.9 million.

July 2020

“Happy Birthday to my amazing hubby, Jim!!” Witherspoon wrote for her husband's 50th. “Everything you do, you put in 1000%! Whether he’s training for a triathlon, giving back to his community, supporting his friends, or loving his family, he gives his whole heart to so many people everyday! I [love] you so much, JT! #youmake50lookgood.”

December 2021

The kids accompanied the couple to the premiere of Witherspoon's movie Sing 2.

February 2022

“Love my Valentine!” Witherspoon wrote on a cute pic of them together for Valentine's Day.

January 2022

The whole family dressed up again for another Sing 2 event.

March 2022

“Happy Anniversary JT!! 💗 11 years of adventures, love & laughter. I feel so lucky to share this wonderful life with you. 💕,” Witherspoon wrote on Instagram.

April 2022

Deacon and Tennessee joined the couple for the opening soccer match at Geodis Park Stadium in Nashville, and they were supporting the home team in their matching yellow jerseys.

June 2022

Witherspoon and Tennessee wished Toth a Happy Father's Day on Instagram.

July 2022

Witherspoon celebrated Toth's birthday with a whole carousel of pics from their life together.

December 2022

Witherspoon and Toth wished her followers a Merry Christmas along with Ava, Deacon, and Tennessee.

March 2023

Just two days shy of their 12th wedding anniversary on March 26, Witherspoon shared a statement on her Instagram announcing that she and Toth were divorcing and had separated.

She wrote on their behalf:

We have some personal news to share... It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce. We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness and mutual respect for everything we have created together.

Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter. These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. We truly appreciate everyone's respect for our family's privacy at this time.

A source told US Weekly shortly after that the couple were separating their assets long before they officially split.

“Reese has spent the last year preparing for the next chapter,” said the insider, adding that Witherspoon and Toth have been making moves since late 2020.

“They decided their marriage wasn’t going to last forever and that they should have a plan for splitting up their assets that wouldn’t destroy what they built together,” the source explained. The sale of production company Hello Sunshine in August of 2021 for $900 million was one important puzzle piece — the company was co-owned by Toth.

They also owned multiple properties and sold their Malibu farmhouse for $6.7 million in November 2021, according to Dirt. In 2023, they sold their Los Angeles manor for $21.5 million. In October 2022, they sold their massive house in Nashville for $7.35 million.

April 2023

On Saturday, April 1, Witherspoon filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. TMZ reports that papers were submitted in Nashville, Tennessee.
The prenuptial agreement they both signed in March 2011 is valid and will provide “adequate and sufficient provisions” for their splitting up any remaining assets and debts after she submits it to a judge for approval.

They also have to submit a parenting plan for custody of their 10-year-old son Tennesse, contingent on the judge's approval as well. Apparently, Davison County has a condition for divorce that will require the former couple to register for a parenting class and they then have 60 days to submit a certificate of completion.

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