Why Jessica Simpson Didn’t Sign a Prenup With Ex Nick Lachey
As Jessica Simpson’s current relationship ends (more on that later), we’re looking back at her marriage to Nick Lachey. Specifically the now-44-year-old’s decision not to sign a prenuptial agreement when she and the 98 Degrees singer said “I do” in 2002. Divying up assets gets complicated, as many celebrities and non-celebrities know. Why Simpson didn’t want a prenup, ahead.
Nick Lachey’s desire for a prenuptial agreement ‘offended’ Jessica Simpson
Opening up about her and Lachey’s four-year marriage on The Dr. Oz Show in 2022, Simpson revealed how she reacted to his request for a prenup. “Nick wanted me to sign a prenup but I was so offended,” she said, sharing at the time she thought their marriage would stand the test of time.
“I’m like, ‘But we’re going to be together for the rest of our lives. We’re saying our vows to God and in front of all of our family and friends. This is never going to end,’ and we didn’t sign a prenup,” Simpson recalled.
She and Lachey wed in October 2002 when they were 22 and 29 years old, respectively. Much of their marital life played out on the reality series Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. Seven months after the show ended in March 2005 Simpson filed for divorce.
She called not signing a prenup with Lachey the ‘biggest’ financial ‘mistake’
Not having a prenup proved to be a big regret for Simpson. “I wish I would’ve signed a prenup,” she said on The Dr. Oz Show, noting how it was “funny” looking back at it now.
In a separate interview with CNBC’s Closing Bell in 2016, the pop star immediately thought of her and Lachey’s marriage—and not signing a prenup—as a massive financial mistake. “The biggest money mistakes? I don’t know. For some reason I thought of my first marriage,” Simpson said.
According to Forbes, she offered Lachey a $2 million divorce settlement. Ultimately, though, he walked away from their marriage with just under half of their estate when the divorce became final in 2006, despite Simpson earning more in licensing deals and album sales at the time.
When they were married, Simpson’s estimated net worth totaled $35 million in comparison to Lachey’s $5 million. These days, however, Simpson’s net worth has reportedly grown to $200 million thanks to the success of her fashion brand (via Celebrity Net Worth).
Simpson’s in the process of splitting from Eric Johnson after a ‘painful situation’ in their marriage
Nearly 20 years after her split from Lachey became official, Simpson is going through another one. This time from Eric Johnson, her husband of 10 years. Simpson announced she and the former NFL player’s split in a January 2025 statement to People.
“Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson said in the split announcement. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them.”
Simpson and Johnson married in July 2014 after four years of dating. They are parents of three: daughters Maxwell “Maxi” Drew, 12, and Birdie Mae, 5, and son Ace Knute, 11.
“We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family,” Simpson added. Prior to the announcement, divorce rumors had been swirling for months with both Simpson and Johnson spotted without their wedding rings.
