David Justice Reflects on Marriage to Halle Berry, Cites Traditional Expectations and Inexperience
Former Major League Baseball player David Justice recently opened up about his marriage to actress Halle Berry, revealing that differing expectations around traditional gender roles and his own lack of relationship experience contributed to their divorce. The candid conversation took place on the “All the Smoke” podcast and has sparked renewed discussion about the complexities of celebrity relationships.
Justice, who played for the Cleveland Indians from 1997 to 2000, and Berry, a native of Cleveland, were married from 1993 to 1997. Reflecting on the split, Justice acknowledged his evolving understanding of relationships at the time.
“My knowledge and my understanding, my wisdom around relationships just wasn’t vast,” Justice, 59, explained. He described a mindset shaped by his Midwestern upbringing, stating, “So, I’m looking at my mom — and I’m a Midwest guy. So, in my mind, I’m thinking a wife at that time should cook, clean, [be] traditional, you know?”
This expectation, he continued, factored into his considerations about building a future family. “Then I’m thinking, ‘OK, if we have kids, is this the woman I want to have kids with and build a family with?’” Justice said. “At that time, as a young guy — she don’t cook, don’t clean, don’t really seem like motherly, and then we start having issues.”
Berry’s career was simultaneously gaining momentum. Shortly after their divorce, she achieved critical acclaim and an Academy Award for her performance in the 2001 film “Monster’s Ball.”
Justice also pointed to the speed at which they entered into marriage – after only five months of dating – as a contributing factor to the eventual breakdown of the relationship. According to reports from USA Today, the couple’s demanding careers also created significant distance.
“Honestly, we probably could have made it, if I knew about therapy,” Justice admitted. He elaborated that his limited prior relationship experience left him ill-equipped to navigate the challenges of a serious partnership. “It’s just that I, because I was young, had only been in honestly one real relationship before her. My knowledge and my understanding and my wisdom around relationships just wasn’t vast.”
Despite the challenges, Justice has found lasting happiness in his current marriage to Rebecca Justice, with whom he shares two children. Berry, now 58, has been married twice more, both ending in divorce, and is currently in a long-term relationship with singer-songwriter Van Hunt. She is also a mother to two children.
Justice enjoyed a successful 14-season career in Major League Baseball, playing for the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and Oakland Athletics. He was a key player on the 1997 Cleveland Indians team that reached the World Series.
The revelation offers a glimpse into the personal lives of two public figures and highlights the importance of communication, shared expectations, and emotional maturity in building a successful long-term relationship.
