Quote from Alex bobby on August 12, 2025, 6:35 AM

David Justice Reflects on Marriage to Halle Berry: “We Probably Could Have Made It If I Knew About Therapy”

Former MLB star David Justice, known for his standout years with the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees, is shedding new light on his brief but high-profile marriage to actress Halle Berry. In a candid conversation on Matt Barnes’ All the Smoke podcast, Justice discussed their relationship, revealing how youthful expectations, traditional beliefs, and long periods apart ultimately led to their divorce — and why he now believes therapy might have saved the marriage.

A Hollywood–Baseball Romance

Justice and Berry tied the knot in 1993, at the height of both of their rising careers. Justice was fresh off winning the 1990 National League Rookie of the Year Award and had established himself as one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters. Berry, meanwhile, was making waves in Hollywood, with roles in the TV mini-series Queen and blockbuster hits like The Flintstones (1994).

On paper, it looked like a glamorous, made-for-tabloids romance. But behind the scenes, the couple faced challenges that neither fame nor fortune could smooth over.

Traditional Expectations Meet Reality

Reflecting on his younger self, Justice admitted that his views on marriage at the time were shaped by his upbringing in the Midwest and by observing his own mother’s role in the household.

“In my mind, I’m thinking a wife at that time should cook, clean, [be] traditional, you know?” he said. “My knowledge and my understanding, my wisdom around relationships just wasn’t vast.”

Justice recalled that Berry, already an in-demand actress, didn’t fit the traditional mod he imagined for a future mother and wife. “She don’t cook, don’t clean, don’t really seem like, motherly,” he explained. “Then we start having issues.”

It was, he acknowledges, a youthful and narrow view — one influenced by the fact that before Berry, he’d only been in one serious relationship.

The Strain of Separate Careers

Beyond clashing expectations, Justice pointed to the realities of their professional lives as another factor in the breakdown of the marriage. Berry’s filming schedule often kept her in different countries for extended periods, making it difficult for them to build a stable domestic life.

“We spent a lot of time apart because she was doing movies in this country, that country,” Justice said. The constant distance, paired with their lack of tools for managing conflict, made reconciliation harder.

Therapy: The Road Not Taken

Perhaps the most poignant part of Justice’s reflection was his belief that counseling could have altered their story. “We honestly probably could have made it if I knew about therapy,” he admitted. “If we knew about therapy, we probably could have made it.”

The idea struck a chord because, in the mid-1990s, therapy for couples — particularly in the public eye — wasn’t as widely normalized as it is today. For young, successful, and busy individuals like Justice and Berry, the stigma or lack of awareness around professional help likely meant they faced their struggles alone.

Life After the Divorce

Justice and Berry divorced in 1997 after nearly four years of marriage. For Berry, the years that followed brought some of her most iconic work, including her role as Storm in X-Men (2000) and her historic Oscar-winning performance in Monster’s Ball (2001). She later welcomed two children: daughter Nahla with ex Gabriel Aubry and son Maceo-Robert with ex-husband Olivier Martinez.

Justice moved on as well, marrying Rebecca Villalobos in 2001. Together they have three children: daughter Raquel and sons JR and Dionisio.

A Different Perspective With Time

What stands out most in Justice’s recent comments is the tone of self-awareness. He didn’t shy away from acknowledging that some of his youthful expectations were unrealistic, and that he didn’t have the relationship skills he has today.

“My knowledge… just wasn’t vast,” he repeated, noting that life experience and maturity have changed his outlook. His willingness to publicly reflect on his mistakes suggests a man who has learned from the past rather than simply rehashing it.

The Broader Conversation

Justice’s revelations touch on larger themes beyond celebrity relationships. They highlight the role that cultural and family backgrounds can play in shaping expectations, the strain long-distance lifestyles can place on couples, and the importance of open communication — sometimes facilitated by professional counselling — in sustaining a marriage.

In many ways, his remarks echo common struggles faced by couples outside the spotlight: balancing careers, evolving expectations, and learning how to grow together rather than apart.

final thoughts

In the end, David Justice’s candid reflections on his marriage to Halle Berry serve as a reminder that relationships often falter not solely because of incompatibility, but because of unspoken expectations, outdated gender roles, and a lack of emotional tools to navigate conflict. His admission that therapy might have saved the marriage underscores the importance of communication and personal growth in sustaining partnerships.

While his perspective may spark debate—especially in today’s climate of evolving relationship dynamics—it also reveals how personal upbringing, cultural norms, and limited experience can shape one’s view of marriage. Ultimately, Justice’s story is less about blame and more about lessons learned, both for him and for those navigating their own relationships in a rapidly changing world.

Conclusion

David Justice’s marriage to Halle Berry may have been brief, but it remains a compelling intersection of sports, Hollywood, and personal growth. His candid reflections offer insight into how mismatched expectations, career demands, and missed opportunities for communication can derail even the most glamorous unions.

While the marriage ultimately ended more than 25 years ago, Justice’s admission that therapy might have saved their relationship feels both timely and relatable in a world where more couples now seek help early. For Justice, the experience has brought maturity and a deeper understanding of partnership — lessons he carries forward into his life today.

Former MLB star David Justice reflects on his marriage to Halle Berry, citing traditional expectations, career distance, and lack of therapy as reasons for their split.