Believe it or not, the courts don’t always rule in favor of the mother, at least when there are celebrities involved. In recent years we’ve seen some ugly custody battles end in a victory for the father. Here’s a look at some of those famous fathers who have prevailed.
MATT BARNES
NBA player Matt Barnes is the latest celebrity male to win sole custody of his children. On Thursday, a Los Angeles family court judge ruled in his favor and granted him sole physical and legal custody of his 10 year old twin boys. Barnes has been at war with his ex-wife Gloria Govan for years — and now a judge has granted him not only custody but also an 18-month restraining order against Govan. The restraining order was granted through May 2020 — but does not extend to the kids because the judge doesn’t believe Gloria poses a danger to them. According to the agreement Govan will get regular visitation and is also allowed to have dinner with the kids every Wednesday evening. She must also complete 26 sessions of anger management and 10 parenting classes.
LUDACRIS
The rapper won primary custody of his daughter, Cai Bella, after an ongoing court battle with Tamika Fuller. He decided to try and go after custody when Fuller made a big fuss about wanting $15,000 in monthly child support. According to reports, the fact that Fuller was living way above her means and that she went MIA for some time after the birth of her eldest daughter, hurt her case.
USHER
The custody battle between Usher Raymond and his ex-wife Tameka Raymond ranged from nasty to downright sad. But no matter what you thought of Tameka, the idea of her losing custody of her sons with Usher, Usher Raymond V and Naviyd, after the death of her son Kile, was pretty heartbreaking. She claimed his “status” helped him win. In 2012 he was granted custody, and in 2013, Tameka took him back to court for temporary custody after their son, Usher, almost drowned in a pool at the singer’s home. Her request was denied.
DWYANE WADE
If their divorce settlement took years to complete, then you know good and well that coming to an agreement on custody was going to be rough. Ultimately Wade wound up winning sole custody of his sons, Zaire and Zion, from ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches Wade, in 2011. She has since claimed that the NBA star left her broke and homeless and has interfered on more than one occasion with visitation. Wade has since re-married actress Gabrielle Union and also gained custody of his nephew Dahveon Morris.
LENNY KRAVITZ
Back in 2001 Lenny Kravitz, was granted primary custody of his daughter Zoe, after her mother Lisa Bonet gave up custody. According to reports Zoe, then 12, wanted to live with her father so that they could get closer. The set-up seemed to work because the two seem to becloser than ever. Not to mention, Lenny, Lisa, her new partner Jason Momoa and Zoe are all very close.
KEITH SWEAT
Keith Sweat and Lisa Wu, formerly of “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” have two sons from their marriage–Jordan and Justin. He was awarded primary custody of the boys in 2003 after a judge said they lacked structure due to her business ventures, and Wu spending a reckless amount of money on herself. The boys couldn’t even appear on RHOA when she was on the show, but that was because Sweat wouldn’t sign a waiver to have his sons exposed to reality TV.