Few public figures have navigated as many personal reinventions in the spotlight as Nikki Bella. From her rise as a WWE champion to two high-profile relationships that played out in the media, she’s now charting a new chapter as a single mother and co-parent. This article draws on court documents and verified interviews to lay out the facts of her 2024 divorce from Artem Chigvintsev, the custody arrangement for their son, and how she reflects on her split from John Cena.

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Real name: Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace ·
Born: November 21, 1983 ·
WWE debut: 2007 ·
Marriages: John Cena (engaged 2017, split 2018), Artem Chigvintsev (married 2022, divorced 2024) ·
Children: 1 son (Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev, born 2020) ·
Net worth (estimated): $8 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact terms of spousal support beyond the lump sum
  • Nikki’s current romantic status
  • Future WWE contract status
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Co-parenting under joint custody order
  • Nikki continues WWE appearances and media projects
  • Artem Chigvintsev’s future steps remain unclear

The table below summarizes Nikki Bella’s key biographical details, including her professional milestones and family structure.

Nikki Bella key facts
Label Value
Full Name Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace
Born November 21, 1983
Height 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
WWE Debut 2007
Spouse(s) Artem Chigvintsev (2022–2024, divorced)
Children 1 son: Matteo Artemovich
Net Worth (est.) $8 million

Why did John Cena dump Nikki Bella?

John Cena’s stated reasons for ending the engagement

John Cena has been open about his decision not to have children, a stance that clashed with Nikki’s desire for a family. In interviews, Cena said he “didn’t want to be a father” and that the couple wanted different things out of life (People (celebrity news)). The engagement, which began with a WrestleMania 33 proposal in April 2017, ended in April 2018 after six years together.

Nikki Bella’s perspective on the breakup

Nikki has spoken publicly about the split, saying she respects Cena but acknowledges they were on different paths. In a 2019 interview with E! News, she said, “I respect him so much and I love him. We just want different things” (E! News (entertainment news)). She later expressed no regret about the breakup, telling a podcast in 2021: “I’m happy where I am” (E! News (entertainment news)).

The trade-off

Nikki chose a future with a family over a continued relationship with a global superstar. The decision meant leaving a secure partnership for the uncertainty of building a new life — one that eventually led to marriage and a son, but also to a costly divorce.

Who has custody of Nikki Bella’s kid?

Custody arrangement for son Matteo

When Nikki Garcia filed for divorce on September 11, 2024, she sought sole legal and physical custody of their son Matteo, who was then 4 years old. Artem Chigvintsev responded by asking for joint legal and physical custody (People (celebrity news)). The court eventually granted joint legal custody to both parents, with Nikki receiving primary physical custody and Artem granted visitation rights per the court order (E! News).

Co-parenting details between Nikki and Artem

The finalized custody plan, reported in September 2024, also specified that the parents would alternate major holidays with Matteo each year. The settlement required Garcia to cover Matteo’s speech therapist costs and split the cost of extracurricular activities (TMZ (celebrity news)). The separation date in court records was listed as August 29, 2024 — the day of Chigvintsev’s arrest. The Napa County District Attorney later announced no charges would be filed against him (E! News (entertainment news)).

Why this matters

The custody outcome reflects a standard California family court approach: joint legal decision-making with primary physical placement to one parent. For Nikki, it means she can continue her career while maintaining her role as the primary caregiver, but the monthly child support payment of $3,500 adds a financial structure to the arrangement.

How much money did Nikki Bella pay her ex-husband in divorce?

Details of the divorce settlement

Reports from May 2025, after the judge signed off on the documents, revealed that Nikki Garcia paid Artem Chigvintsev a total of $200,000 in two lump-sum payments of $100,000 each (TMZ (celebrity news)). The settlement also included spousal support terms, though the exact monthly amount beyond the lump sum was not disclosed. Additionally, Garcia was ordered to pay $3,500 per month in child support.

Nikki Garcia Paid Artem Chigvintsev $200K in Divorce

The court documents filed in Napa County, California, also outline that Garcia will keep the trusts in her name, including Stephanie Nicole Garcia Entertainment and Bonita Bonita by Nikki and Brie (TMZ (celebrity news)). The settlement split the costs of extracurricular activities for Matteo and required Garcia to cover speech therapy costs. The parents will alternate major holidays.

The upshot

For a celebrity with an estimated net worth of $8 million, the $200,000 settlement is a relatively modest payout. The real financial commitment is the ongoing child support — $42,000 per year — and the shared responsibility for their son’s needs. The deal allows both parties to move forward without a prolonged court battle.

What happened to Nikki Bella and her husband?

Timeline of Nikki and Artem’s marriage and separation

Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev began dating in January 2019 after meeting on the set of Dancing with the Stars. Their son Matteo was born in July 2020, and the couple married in August 2022. In September 2023, Artem filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in 2024, with the settlement details confirmed in May 2025.

Legal proceedings and divorce finalization

Garcia’s own divorce filing on September 11, 2024, also cited irreconcilable differences. The separation date was listed as August 29, 2024 — the day of Chigvintsev’s arrest on domestic violence allegations. The Napa County District Attorney declined to press charges after reviewing the evidence (E! News (entertainment news)). By November 2024, a representative announced that the couple had reached an agreement (Newsweek (news magazine)).

The implication: both relationships were characterized by fundamental incompatibilities that could not be resolved despite public commitment.

Does Nikki regret leaving John Cena?

Nikki’s public statements about the breakup

In a 2021 podcast interview, Nikki said she does not regret leaving John Cena. “I’m happy where I am,” she stated, adding that she occasionally reflects on the past but remains positive about her current life as a mother and professional (E! News (entertainment news)).

Comparisons between John Cena and Artem Chigvintsev

While Nikki has not drawn direct comparisons, the two relationships marked very different stages of her life. With Cena, she faced a choice between a high-profile marriage and starting a family. With Chigvintsev, she built the family she wanted, but the marriage ended in divorce after just two years. The pattern: both relationships ended because of fundamental incompatibilities in life goals.

The catch

Nikki’s public narrative of “no regrets” is a healthy stance, but the financial and emotional costs of two public breakups in six years are significant. The $200,000 settlement and custody arrangement with Chigvintsev are a concrete reminder that even when a person gets what they wanted — a child, a marriage — the price can be steep.

Timeline

  • 2007: Nikki Bella signs with WWE (WWE (official wrestler profile))
  • 2012: Begins relationship with John Cena
  • April 2017: John Cena proposes at WrestleMania 33
  • April 2018: Engagement ends; split with John Cena
  • January 2019: Begins relationship with Artem Chigvintsev
  • July 2020: Son Matteo Artemovich born
  • August 2022: Marries Artem Chigvintsev
  • September 2023: Artem files for divorce
  • September 2024: Divorce finalized; $200K settlement; joint custody granted

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Nikki and John Cena ended engagement in 2018
  • Nikki married Artem in 2022
  • Divorce settlement included $200K payment to Artem
  • Joint custody of son Matteo
  • Separation date: August 29, 2024
  • No charges filed against Artem

What’s unclear

  • Exact terms of spousal support beyond lump sum
  • Nikki’s current romantic status
  • Future WWE contract status
  • Whether Artem will return to Dancing with the Stars

Perspectives

“I respect him so much and I love him. We just want different things.”

— Nikki Bella, interview with E! News, 2019 (E! News)

“I’m happy where I am.”

— Nikki Bella, podcast interview, 2021 (E! News)

Artem Chigvintsev cited irreconcilable differences in his divorce filing.

— Court filing, 2024 (E! News)

The pattern across Nikki’s two major relationships is clear: she has consistently prioritized her desire for a family and personal fulfillment over the security of a high-profile relationship. The breakup with Cena was about wanting different futures; the divorce from Chigvintsev was about a marriage that couldn’t survive the pressures of co-parenting, legal issues, and irreconcilable differences. For fans watching her journey, the takeaway is that even when a woman gets exactly what she asked for — a child, a wedding, a career — the path can still be messy, expensive, and public. For Nikki, the next chapter is about parenting Matteo with the man she once married, while continuing to build her own brand and legacy.

Additional sources

people.com, realitytea.com, extratv.com, youtube.com, eonline.com, facebook.com, reddit.com, people.com

For a deeper look at the financial and legal specifics, readers can explore Nikki Bellas divorce and custody details from verified court documents.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Nikki Bella still with Artem Chigvintsev?

No. Nikki and Artem divorced in 2024. Their divorce was finalized with a settlement approved by a judge in May 2025.

How long were Nikki Bella and Artem married?

They were married from August 2022 to their separation in August 2024 — about two years. The divorce was finalized in 2024.

Did Nikki Bella have a child with John Cena?

No. Nikki and John Cena did not have any children together. She shares son Matteo with Artem Chigvintsev.

What is Nikki Bella’s net worth in 2024?

Nikki Bella’s estimated net worth is $8 million, according to various celebrity net worth trackers.

How many children does Nikki Bella have?

She has one son, Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev, born in July 2020.

Is Nikki Bella still in WWE?

Yes, Nikki continues to make WWE appearances and is a WWE Hall of Famer (inducted in 2021).

What does Nikki Bella do for a living now?

She works as a professional wrestler, television personality, and entrepreneur. She co-owns the fashion brand Bonita Bonita by Nikki and Brie.

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