Married at First Sight's Cody Knapek and Danielle DeGroot Divorcing

Reality TV couple celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary earlier this month

By McKenna Aiello Aug 22, 2017 7:34 PMTags
Cody Knapek, Danielle DeGroot, Married At First SightKarolina Wojtasik/A+E Networks

Another Married at First Sight relationship is ending in divorce. 

Cody Knapek and Danielle DeGroot announced their decision to split on Tuesday with an emotional statement on Instagram. "It hasn't been an easy year," Danielle wrote, "but it has been one of a lot of personal growth and of meeting some amazing people, including the one I got to marry. We value and respect marriage, but life is short and we also value happiness."

They continued, "While this was a difficult decision and divorce is not something either of us hoped for, we decided we will be happiest separating. Still got nothin' but love for @codyknapek!"

Cody and Danielle met for the first time on their August 6, 2016 wedding date and went on to document their first few months as newlyweds on the Lifetime reality series. The pair openly struggled with intimacy issues, but the Chicago-based dietitian and Cody opted to remain married on the season finale.

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Married at First Sight Status Check: Find Out Who's Still Together

"Thank you to everyone who supported us on our journey!" the announcement concluded. "We hope you will be respectful and understanding of our decision. I went into #MAFS trusting that this was God's or some greater power's plan and I stand by that now. Still a big believer in love and looking forward to the future."

Cody also tweeted, "Just wanted to say thank you to all of the #MarriedAtFirstSight fans that have shown us love and rooted for us along the way."

All appeared well for the couple earlier this month when DeGroot shared a heartwarming message to Knapek on their first anniversary. 

"A year ago today I walked down the aisle & met this awesome guy," she penned. "And it's been one wild ride ever since! Happy Anniversary @codyknapek #marriedatfirstsight #mafs5 #oneyearanniversary #throwback PS- if you write a comment about sex I will probably delete it bc enough."

Cody and Danielle are the first couple from their season of Married at First Sight to split. Both Anthony D'Amico and Ashley Petta, as well as Sheila Downs and Nate Duhon are still together. Wondering how other couples from previous years are doing? You're in luck with our status check-in below. 

Jason Carrion & Cortney Hendrix

Finale Status: Together 

Current Status: Divorced after five years

Doug Hehner & Jamie Otis

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Married and Proud Parents

Monet Bell & Vaughn Copland

Finale Status: Separated 

Current Status: Divorced

Jaclyn Methuen & Ryan Ranellone

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Davina Kullar & Sean Varricchio

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced 

Ryan De Nino & Jessica Castro

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced 

Ashley Doherty & David Norton

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced

Samantha Role & Neil Bowlus

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced

Vanessa Nelson & Tres Russell

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced 

Lillian Vilchez & Tom Wilson

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced after 14 months of marriage 

Heather Seidel & Derek Schwartz

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorced

Sonia Granados & Nick Pendergrast

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced; Nick now father of twins with girlfriend Heather Yerrid 

Cody Knapek & Danielle DeGroot

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Sheila Downs & Nate Duhon

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Ashley Petta & Anthony D'Amico

Finale Status: Together 

Current Status: Together and Proud Parents 

Molly Duff & Jonathan Francetic

Finale Status: Not Together

Current Status: Divorced. And in April 2019, he got engaged to the show's former marriage counselor, Dr. Jessica Griffin.

Jaclyn Schwartzberg & Ryan Buckley

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced after 10 months of marriage

Shawniece Jackson & Jephte Pierre

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Married and Proud Parents

Danielle Bergman & Bobby Dodd

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Married and Proud Parents

Mia Bally & Tristan Thompson

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Amber Martorana & Dave Flaherty

Finale Status: Together

Current Status: Divorced

Gregory Okotie & Deonna McNeill

Finale Status: Together 

Current Status: Together and Parents to Baby Boy

Keith Dewar & Kristine Killingsworth

Finale Status: Married

Current Status: Married 

Matthew Gwynne & Amber Bowles

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorcing

Elizabeth Bice & Jamie Thompson

Finale Status: Together 

Current Status: Split. On June 30, 2023, Jamie announced on Instagram, "After months of deliberation with Beth, we were just unable to find common ground. I had really hoped to resolve this, but it feels like we have reached the point of no return. So, I made the decision to go ahead and file for divorce for the sake of my own mental health and wellbeing."

Jasmine McGriff & Will Guess

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorcing 

AJ Vollmoeller & Stephanie Sersen

Finale Status: Married

Current Status: Married 

Keith Manley & Iris Caldwell

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorcing

Taylor Dunklin & Brandon Reid

Finale Status: Separated 

Current Status: Divorcing

Kate Sisk & Luke Cuccurullo

Finale Status: Separated

Current Status: Divorcing

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View More Photos From Married at First Sight Status Check: Find Out Who's Still Together

In an E! News obtained statement, the reality stars elaborated, "After a year of marriage, and much thought and consideration, we are deeply saddened to announce that we've decided to go our separate ways. We remain the closest of friends, and have enjoyed sharing our lives with our Married At First Sight family. We want to thank the experts for their guidance and love throughout all of this. This process has only strengthened our belief that true love does exist!"

Their co-star Nate Duhon tells E! News exclusively, "Cody and Dani are both amazing individuals. Personally, I was surprised they stuck it out as long as they did without being physically intimate, hats off to both of them for that! When we met during filming I didn't notice any signs of a split."

"I was able to see both perspectives though and understand each of their concerns," he adds. "Every relationship has their own separate issues, and I commend them for giving it a shot. I wish nothing but the best for my fellow MAFS family members."

 

People was first to report the news.