Michael Jordan wife divorce

It's game over for Michael Jordan along with his wife: The couple filed for separation and divorce Friday after 17 years of relationship.

"Michael and Juanita Jordan mutually and amicably decided to end their 17-year marriage, " the couple's lawyers stated in a statement. "A judgment for dissolution of their wedding ended up being registered these days. There will be any further statements."

The previous Chicago Bulls celebrity, 43, and his wife found at a restaurant in Chicago and wed in Las vegas, nevada on Sept. 2, 1989. They've three young ones: Jeffrey, Marcus and Jasmine.

Their marriage had shown signs of difficulty before: Juanita Jordan submitted for divorce proceedings in January 2002, but the couple announced a month later they certainly were wanting to get together again and she withdrew her petition.

Throughout that past breakup petition, Jordan stated efforts to save lots of the marriage had failed and future ones "would be not practical rather than in the best interests associated with family members, " the Associated Press reports.

Still, some buddies had been surprised by Friday's announcement. "I'm surprised and dissatisfied that their relationship didn't work, " household buddy Les Coney, whose boy played baseball using Jordans' earliest child, Jeffrey, informs PEOPLE. "i believe they're wonderful people and I have no doubt they'll be placing their particular children initially."

Coney states the separation and divorce had been especially shocking given that the Jordans had invested a great deal time together in recent times. On Dec. 23, the attended their son's basketball online game and later sat collectively in a box to view the Bulls play the Bobcats in Chicago.

"You find out about ladies desiring his interest. But grown up men and children do too, " Coney claims. "He's a magnet. He hasn't played baseball in five years, yet still, men and women stop and simply take photographs and ask for autographs. Wedding is tough for any few, of course you add star to this, it really is also harder."

The Jordans had been never prone to general public displays of affection. "nevertheless they obviously communicate, " says Coney. "When Juanita couldn't obtain the stereo working, he's 1st person she labeled as. And Michael was right there."