Photo: Art Seitz-KPA/ZUMA
Chris EvertandGreg Normanseemed to have it all: a passionate courtship, romantic trips around the world and each other’s undying support.
“We like to be with each other,” Norman toldGolfmagazine of Evert in 2007,perNew York Post. “We enjoy each other’s company immensely. We share a very common bond with a lot of things in life.”
The tennis star and Australian golfer announced their engagement at a tournament in South Africa in December 2007. When Evert appeared onOprah Winfrey’s talk show in April 2008, sheshowed off her engagement ringand said she and Norman share a “connection.”
“At our age, over 50 … it’s not like you’re 18. Both of us have lived long enough to know,” Evert said when Winfrey asked if she had concerns about remarrying so soon after herdivorce from skier Andy Mill.
Six months after announcing their engagement, the couple tied the knot in the Bahamas in June 2008. However, the tennis star and golfing great — who left their longtime spouses for each other in 2006 —called it quits in 2009after just 15 months of marriage.
At the start, it looked as if Evert and Norman’s marriage was torn straight from the pages of a fairytale — sowhy did they divorce?
From their whirlwind engagement and rumored family feuds to their short-lived marriage, here is a look back at Chris Evert and Greg Norman’s relationship.
2006: Chris Evert and Greg Norman divorce their spouses to be together
Greg Norman and Chris Evert in Watsons Bay, Sydney on December 30, 2006.Fairfax Media/Getty
Fairfax Media/Getty
Evert and Norman’s love story was controversial from the start. In 2006, both professional athletes left their respective spouses to kindle a romance of their own.
After 18 years of marriage, Evert filed for divorce from Mill, with whom she had three children: Alex, Nicky and Colton. Before Mill, Evert was married to British tennis player John Lloyd from 1979 until their union dissolved in 1987.
Norman — who was best friends with Mill — parted ways with his wife of 25 years, Laura Andrassy, with whom he shared children: Morgan-Leigh and Greg Jr.
December 14, 2007: Chris Evert and Greg Norman announce their engagement
Greg Norman and Chris Evert attend the Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro Celebrity tennis classic cocktail reception and silent auction on November 02, 2007 in Boca Raton, Florida.Jeff Daly/FilmMagic
Jeff Daly/FilmMagic
Evert and Norman announced their engagement during a golf tournament in South Africa, where Evert was building a new tennis center.
When reporters asked about her wedding plans, Evert said, “Well, it is an engagement ring … We don’t know when and where we’ll be married, though.”
June 28, 2008: Chris Evert and Greg Norman get married
Greg Norman and Chris Evert attend the Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro Celebrity tennis classic cocktail reception and silent auction on November 02, 2007.Jeff Daly/FilmMagic
Evert and Norman tied the knot in the Bahamas on June 28, 2008.
“It was a beautiful three days, and we had our closest friends and family,” Everttold60 Minutes Australiain 2009 of their wedding ceremony. “It wasn’t a million dollars or over in excess like it was reported. Everything was exaggerated. It was very low-key, and the vows were great.”
After their dreamy sunset nuptials, Evert told PEOPLE, “Greg will take care of me emotionally.”
The union marked Evert’s third marriage and Norman’s second.
2009: Friends of Chris Evert and Greg Norman discuss troubles in their relationship
Greg Norman and Chris Evert in the stands at National Tennis Center for the 2008 US Open on September 6, 2008.Bob Martin /Sports Illustrated/Getty
Bob Martin /Sports Illustrated/Getty
Despite seeming happily in love, Evert and Norman’s close friends never expected the relationship to last.
According to sources close to the pair, Norman and Evert never set up a home together. He stayed in his “Tranquility” estate on Jupiter Island, while Evert remained in her $3 million home in Boca Raton, Florida. The couple would reportedly sleep over at each other’s houses. Friends also speculated many of their problems involved interactions with each other’s children.
“Greg got in between Andy and his sons, which caused a great deal of turmoil for Chris,” a close source said. “On one occasion, Andy flew from his Aspen home to Boca Raton to spend time with his sons, and before Andy even touched ground, Greg whisked Nicky off in his private jet. He took him to his own ranch in Colorado, leaving a very unhappy Andy crying on the phone to his son.”
Another time, Norman told Colton he needed to spend time with him instead of going to a planned meeting with his own father.
According to Norman’s former mother-in-law, Laurabell Andrassy, his children never warmed up to Evert. She told PEOPLE that Morgan-Leigh and Greg Jr. never said anything derogatory about Evert, but they weren’t happy with the marriage.
“It wasn’t a good relationship with the kids and her,” Laurabell said. “Chris and Greg both had big egos; they were both celebrities.”
October 2, 2009: Chris Evert and Greg Norman split
Chris Evert follows Greg Norman’s match during round one of the 138th Open Championship on July 16, 2009 in Turnberry, Scotland.Ross Kinnaird/Getty
Ross Kinnaird/Getty
On Oct. 2, 2009, PEOPLE confirmed Chris Evert and Greg Norman had separated after 15 months of marriage.
“Chris and Greg will remain friends and supportive of one another’s family,” Evert’s rep, Tammy Starr, told PEOPLE, with Norman’s rep also confirming the split.
Mill — who proposed to Aspen homemaker Debra Harvick in 2009 — added, “Now that Greg is out of the picture, we are all fine, and I am ecstatic. Debra and I are always there for the children, and Chrissy and I are friends.”
“Divorce is like a golf swing — it always makes someone happy,” Mill said.
December 8, 2009: Chris Evert and Greg Norman finalize their divorce
Chris Evert looks on as husband Greg Norman of Australia plays the 5th hole during the final round of the 2009 U.S. Senior Open on August 2, 2009.Jamie Squire/Getty
Jamie Squire/Getty
Two months after ending their marriage, Evert and Normanfinalized their divorceon Dec. 8, 2009.
2010: Greg Norman marries Kirsten Kutner after divorce from Chris Evert
Greg Norman and Kirsten Kutner attend Golf Day at OMEGA House on July 31, 2012 in London, England.Dave M. Benett/Getty
Dave M. Benett/Getty
“Kirsten walked down the aisle on her own — we were all waiting for her,” Norman toldNew Ideamagazine,per Yahoo! Life, of his bride at the time. “To me, she is the most beautiful woman in the world. She looked stunning.”
2019: Chris Evert says she is open to dating after divorce from Greg Norman
Chris Evert attends the WTA Summer Party 2019 on June 28, 2019 in London, England.Karwai Tang/WireImage
Karwai Tang/WireImage
“I would be happy to date, but I have found that all of the good ones are married,” Evert said. “My work this year is especially strong and successful, but I would like to date again if that should happen.”
She continued, “My life is good. I am grateful for everything I have, and I am enjoying it all.”
January 14, 2022: Chris Evert reveals she has ovarian cancer
Chris Evert at the trophy presentation ceremony after the Women’s Singles Final during the 2023 French Open Tennis Tournament on June 10, 2023.Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty
Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty
On Jan. 14, 2022, Evert shared a link onTwitterto an article she co-authored with journalist Chris McKendry forESPN, where she opened up about beingdiagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer.
“I feel very lucky that they caught it early and expect positive results from my chemo plan,” Evert wrote, adding, “Thanks to all of you for respecting my need to focus on my health and treatment plan.”
January 14, 2023: Chris Evert announces she’s “cancer-free”
Chris Evert attends the International Tennis Hall of Fame Legends Ball Honoring Billie Jean King on September 09, 2023 in New York City.Roy Rochlin/Getty
Roy Rochlin/Getty
One year after sharing her cancer diagnosis, Evertannounced a promising health updateon Jan. 14, 2023.
“Today, I’m cancer-free, and there’s a 90% chance that the ovarian cancer will never come back,” shetold ESPN.
source: people.com
