In a development that has left fans stunned across the globe, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and his wife of 37 years, Janet Jones, have reportedly called it quits. The couple, long hailed as one of sports’ most enduring love stories, have decided to part ways, citing irreconcilable differences that have allegedly simmered beneath the surface for years.
Sources close to the family claim the split has been “a long time coming,” despite their public image of harmony and elegance. “They were always smiling in the spotlight, but behind closed doors, it wasn’t as perfect as it looked,” said a family friend who chose to remain anonymous.
The stunning trigger? Allegedly, disagreements over lifestyle, family priorities, and diverging personal ambitions pushed the pair to the breaking point. While Wayne, now retired from the NHL and focused on golf, broadcasting, and various business ventures, preferred a quieter, more reserved lifestyle, Janet reportedly sought a more social, high-profile presence in the entertainment world.
In recent years, cracks reportedly began to show as the couple started living increasingly separate lives. Gretzky spent more time in California and Florida, while Janet remained active in the celebrity social circuit in Los Angeles. According to insiders, the couple had “grown apart emotionally” and were “leading parallel lives.”
But the most explosive allegation involves trust issues stemming from long-past controversies. The shadow of the 2006 illegal sports gambling ring—where Janet’s name was dragged into headlines, despite not being charged—allegedly left lasting tension in the marriage. While the couple publicly weathered the storm and maintained a united front, those close to them suggest the episode was never fully resolved in private.
Compounding matters was their alleged disagreement over how involved they should be in their adult children’s lives and careers. With children like Paulina Gretzky, who has her own spotlight as a model and media personality, and Ty Gretzky pursuing coaching and business interests, insiders suggest that differing parenting styles may have contributed to the rift. “Janet has always been the more outspoken parent, while Wayne is a bit more laid back and private,” said one source.
Financial friction also reportedly added strain. While the couple is immensely wealthy, managing a shared empire involving real estate, endorsements, and investments allegedly led to disputes over control and decision-making.
According to the rumored divorce papers, filed quietly in a California court, both parties are seeking an amicable separation and have requested privacy as they navigate the next phase of their lives. The couple, married since July 1988 in a lavish ceremony that captivated Canada and the sports world, share five children.
Fans have reacted with shock and heartbreak, flooding social media with tributes to what many saw as a rare example of lasting love in the limelight. “Wayne and Janet were royalty. This feels like the end of an era,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite the heartbreak, both Wayne and Janet are reportedly committed to maintaining mutual respect and focusing on their family. “They will always love each other in some form,” one insider said. “But after 37 years, they realized they were better apart than together.”
As the sports world grapples with the news, one thing is certain: the end of the Gretzky marriage marks a major moment in the legacy of one of hockey’s greatest legends.
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