How it Ended

In 1997, Pietra filed for divorce, citing physical and emotional abuse, a severe and public accusation that deeply impacted Thornton’s reputation. The divorce was contentious, with Pietra seeking custody of their children and sharing her allegations of Thornton’s behavior.

Their split marked a dark and challenging chapter in Thornton’s personal life as he publicly navigated the fallout from the divorce while continuing to advance his career. Thornton has rarely commented on the marriage since, focusing instead on raising his sons after the separation.