The retired professional wrestler says he and his now-ex were never legally married despite hosting a wedding ceremony in 2018, explaining that 'it was just a ceremony.'
- Feb 2, 2022
AceShowbiz - Ric Flair and Wendy Barlow won't have to go through complicated divorce proceedings after calling it quits. Setting things straight on their relationship after announcing their split, the WWE superstar has said that he and Wendy Barlow were never legally married to begin with.
"We were never married," the 72-year-old wrestling legend told PEOPLE on Monday, January 31 despite hosting a wedding ceremony. Of their 2018 celebration of love, he said, "It was just a ceremony."
Wendy confirmed to the news outlet that her 2018 nuptials to Ric were never official and they never applied for a marriage certificate. She went on informing that she and the wrestling manager have been living separately for the past six months.
Ric announced his separation from Wendy after what was believed to be four years of marriage. "After Taking Some Time Apart, Wendy And I Have Decided To Go Our Separate Ways," he said in a statement posted on his social media pages earlier on Monday. "Please Respect Our Privacy & Our Families During This Time!"
Hinting that it's all amicable, he continued writing, "I Will Love & Cherish All Of Our Memories Together Forever, And I Will Forever Be Thankful For All She Has Done To Make My Life Better! This Is An Opportunity For Wendy Who Spent Four Years Taking Care Of Me Every Day During My Period Of Illness."
Ric went on praising his now-ex, "She Deserves Every Minute Of The Rest Of Her Life To Be Who She Is- Lovely, Kind Hearted, Intelligent; And Not Have To Take Care Of Me!" He added on Twitter, "FYI- Traveling Around The Country With Me Is Not An Easy Job! Thank You Wendy For All You Have Done! The Door Is Never Closed! Please Respect Who She Is & Who I Am."
Ric and Wendy originally met in 1993 when both were working in WCW. For a short time, she was known as his "maid." They threw what was believed to be a wedding ceremony on September 12, 2018 at a resort in Florida.
Ric was married four times before, to Leslie Goodman in 1971-1983, to Elizabeth Harrell from 1983 until 2006, to Tiffany VanDemark in 2008-2009 and to Jacqueline "Jackie" Beems in 2009 until their divorced was finalized in 2014. He has a total of four children from his first two wives, but shares none with Wendy.
