Donnie Wahlberg Headed for Divorce

New Kidder's wife of eight years blames irreconcilable differences for demise of marriage

By Gina Serpe Aug 18, 2008 9:07 PMTags
Donnie Wahlberg, Kim Fey Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images

Call him New Kid on the chopping block.

Donnie Wahlberg's wife of more than eight years, Kim Fey Wahlberg, has filed for divorce from the comeback-minded boy bander, citing the ever popular "irreconcilable differences."

And while his missus was filing divorce papers in Los Angeles Superior Court on Aug. 13, the 39-year-old singer was doing the same in Ventura County.

The couple have apparently been living separate lives for much longer, with the court documents indicating they have been estranged since January.

"I can confirm that the couple are divorcing," Wahlberg's publicist told E! News. "They have been separated for almost a year but remain close friends."

Kim, 39, is seeking sole physical and legal custody of their two sons, 15-year-old Xavier and 7-year-old Elijah, allowing for visitation rights for the New Kidder.

She is also seeking spousal support and attorney's fees from Wahlberg.

The duo tied the knot back in August 1999 and, if nothing else, his newly single status should make the throngs of screaming fans a bit more palatable.

Wahlberg, along with bandmates Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Jordan and Jonathan Knight are releasing their first album together in almost 15 years, The Block, on Sept. 2. They kick off their sold-out tour in support of the album Sept. 18 in Toronto.