Ashley Darby announced that her divorce was finalized in a unique way.
On February 17, 2025, “The Real Housewives of Potomac” star broke her silence on the legal end to her marriage to ex-husband Michael Darby by posing for a cheeky, celebratory photoshoot.
TMZ previously reported that the Darbys’ long-awaited divorce was finalized on February 10, nearly three years after the former couple first separated. The exes, who married in May 2014, share custody of sons Dean and Dylan.
Fans Reacted to Ashley Darby’s Divorce Photoshoot
One week after her divorce was finalized, Ashley Darby posted a series of photos on Instagram to personally share the news with her fans.
The photos featured the Bravo star holding up tabloid-style newspapers with headlines about her divorce. In the first photo, the mom of two held up a copy of “RHOP News” that had the headline “Ashley Darby Is Officially Divorced.”
In another pair of pics, she soaked in a bathtub while holding a tabloid that announced the same headline. A third series of photos featured Darby draping the newspaper over her body.
“Never did I imagine when I started this journey on #RHOP that I’d eventually end my marriage,” she captioned one of the posts. “I really made those vows with the purest heart and truest bliss. But alas – life had other plans. So like the nature of news, I’m rolling with the times and writing new headlines ♥️.”
She also advised fans to “truly trust the timing of your own life.”
“So many external voices try to infiltrate your thoughts and change your trajectory. But the only person who truly has to live in your earthly vessel is – you. Thankful for helpful guides along the way, and even more appreciative of God’s gifts of my health and faith,” she wrote, before adding, “Chapter officially closed. ♥️”
Darby received a big response to her divorce photos.
“Iconic behavior ❤️,” wrote “Real Housewives of Dubai” alum Chanel Ayan.
“Congratulations on your divorce! 🎉🤍 ,” wrote Darby’s RHOP co-star Mia Thornton, who added that she admired her friend’s “strength and resilience” through it all.
“Major congrats ❤️,” added “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Lisa Barlow.
She’s single baby! Enjoy,” another fan wrote.
“If I ever get married and divorced, this is the announcement I want,” another fan chimed in.
Ashley Darby First Confirmed Her Divorce Filing in November 2024
Darby’s long and drawn-out divorce was a storyline on “The Real Housewives of Potomac.” She first separated from her husband in April 2022 but did not file for divorce until November 2024.
At the time, she told The Daily Dish, “Signing divorce papers is bittersweet. My friend put it this way: leaving a marriage is like leaving a house you’ve created memories in for years. Just before you close the door for the last time, you think back on all the incredible things you created together like your children and lasting memories, and then you just have to close the door and move on.”
The RHOP star admitted that amid her long separation, she had still felt “attached” to her marriage. “Now, that’s officially ending, and I have the freedom to do life my own way, and I’m very excited to see what that looks like,” she shared.
On the heels of her divorce, Darby is set to look for love on the upcoming Bravo dating show, “Love Hotel.”
