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Todd Bridges just filed for divorce from Bettijo Hirschi. The move comes just 3 months after they publicly announced their separation in January 2026. What led the Diff’rent Strokes star to officially end his marriage?
🔥 Quick Facts
- Filing Date: March 31, 2026, exclusive court documents confirm
- Marriage Duration: Three years after wedding in September 2022
- Separation Announcement: Publicly revealed in January 2026 after much prayer and reflection
- Property Agreement: Both parties signed written agreement with zero community property
Timeline of a Swift Separation and Filing
Bridges, age 60, and Hirschi met in January 2022 through a mutual friend. Within six months, Bridges proposed to the designer. They married in September 2022, just nine months after their first meeting. But the whirlwind romance ended in early 2026.
On January 14, 2026, Bridges announced the split publicly. His statement emphasized that the decision came “after much prayer and reflection.” The actor said, “This was not an easy choice, and it comes with a heavy heart, but also with love and gratitude for the life we shared.” Just 77 days later, he officially filed for divorce on March 31, 2026.
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No Community Property, Signed Agreements in Place
In his divorce filing, Bridges indicated significant clarity about the couple’s assets. The filings show zero community property and no debt between the former spouses. Bridges claims that he and Hirschi are living separately.
Bridges further requested to retain all separate real estate he acquired before marrying Hirschi. He explicitly stated that neither party should receive spousal support. Both have already signed a written agreement detailing the division of property, debt, and spousal maintenance terms.
The Marriage That Started with Faith and Ended in Separation
| Detail | Information |
| Meeting | January 2022, through mutual friend |
| Engagement | Six months after meeting |
| Marriage | September 2022, quiet intimate ceremony |
| Separation Announced | January 14, 2026, via public statement |
| Divorce Filed | March 31, 2026, marriage deemed “broken beyond repair” |
Hirschi previously gushed about their connection. On The Tamron Hall Show in December 2024, she described how they met through a dating app profile her friend created. She told the host that she and Bridges bonded deeply over their shared faith.
“What really struck me about Todd is that we have a very similar idea of who God is. We hear God similarly. I feel like God speaks to me directly too. I remember telling my parents, ‘He has a very similar understanding of God that feels very much like the faith that I have.'”
— Bettijo B. Hirschi, Designer and Creative Strategist
Children and Prior Marriages: A Blended Family Complexity
Bridges shares two children with his previous wife, Dori Smith. Hirschi, for her part, is mother to four children from a prior relationship. The pair’s blended family situation added layers to their marriage.
Both were remarrying when they met in 2022. What seemed like divine intervention at the time has now dissolved into a clean legal separation. Neither party contests the division of assets, suggesting an amicable end to their brief union.
What Changed in Just Three Years for the Diff’rent Strokes Star?
Bridges made clear his gratitude for the time spent with Hirschi. But the court filing states their marriage is “broken beyond repair.” The couple claimed they attempted to “resolve their problems” before making the separation decision.
The rapid shift from announcing a faith-centered marriage to filing divorce papers raises questions for fans and observers alike. Yet through court documents, the pair signal this is an amicable split with no disputes over finances, children, or property. The 3-month gap between separation announcement and official filing appears standard for legal proceedings and reflection.
Sources
- Us Weekly – Exclusive divorce filing details and court documents obtained April 2026
- People Magazine – Marriage announcement and separation statement archives
- Los Angeles Times – Initial separation announcement and timeline
