Artem Chigvintsev Requests Spousal Support from Nikki Garcia in Response to Her Divorce Filing

Mar. 15, 2025

(L) Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia.Photo:MediaPunch/Shutterstock

MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Artem Chigvintsevhas listed his financial demands in response to his estranged wifeNikki Garcia’s divorce filing.

Additionally, Chigvintsev has requested that Garcia pay his attorney fees and the court to determine putative spouse status for the duration of their marriage, listed in the documents as lasting Aug. 26, 2022 to Jan. 19, 2023.

Nikki Garcia, Artem Chigvintsev and their son Matteo.Nikki Bella/Instagram

Nikki Bella/Instagram

“At this time, Mr. Chigvintsev will not comment on any pending proceeding,” says Chigvintsev’s attorney Ilona Antonyan. “The parties are focused on co-parenting and working together for the best interests of their son.”

Regarding the request for spousal support, the statement continues, “As a standard practice, the divorce response preserves Mr. Chigvintsev’s financial rights to support and fees. Failure to check these boxes in the responsive pleadings waives the right to seek such remedies. There is no motion pending for spousal support or fees, also known as the Request for Order. The parties intend to resolve all pending issues on mutually acceptable terms.”

At the time, Garcia’s rep confirmed the news of their separation to PEOPLE, saying, “Nikki Garcia has filed for divorce. She continues to ask for privacy for her and her family at this time.”

In her initial petition, the former WWE star requested legal and physical custody of their sonMatteo, with Chigvintsev being allowed visitation rights. Though Chigvintsev requested the court terminate Garcia’s ability to receive spousal support, theTotal Bellasalum petitioned for it terminated for both parties.

Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella.Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

In 2017, the duo met when they werepaired togetheron season 25 ofDancing with the Stars, although the retired WWE wrestler was engaged toJohn Cenaat the time. In July 2018, Garcia and Cena officiallyended their relationshipafter six years together.

TheDWTSpairreconnectedlater that year and made theirrelationship Instagram officialin March 2019.

Garcia and Chigvintsev gotengagedin November 2019,welcomed sonMatteo in July 2020 andofficially wedin August 2022. However, the pair faced a few hurdles on the road to the altar.

In June 2021, nearly two years after the couple announced their engagement, Garcia revealed the couple’s decision to pause wedding planning as they work on remodeling their new home. Five months later, the pair would be pushing their wedding backdue to COVID-19 travel restrictionsbeforepostponing the wedding againafter Chigvintsev was diagnosed with pneumonia the following January.

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Then, in a March 2022 episode ofThe Bellas Podcast,Garcia said that she wasre-evaluating her wedding planswith Chigvintsev, whohad recovered from his month-long battlewith the respiratory illness.

Nearly three years after getting engaged, a source told PEOPLE that Garcia and Chigvintsev wed in Paris in August 2022. The pair announced the news onInstagramwith two wedding photos: a close-up of the couple’s rings and another image of the newlyweds looking at the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

source: people.com