Shannen Doherty’s Shocking Divorce After 11 Years: Stage 4 Cancer Forces Her Hand
Shannen Doherty has filed for divorce from her husband, Kurt Iswarienko.
She claimed that Kurt was delaying the divorce because he wanted to wait for the right moment.
Shannen, who was battling stage 4 cancer, lost her fight against the illness.
Shannen Doherty, a well-known actress, met Kurt Iswarienko in 2008. After dating for three years, they got engaged, and they were married on October 15, 2011.
Their wedding took place at a friend’s home in Malibu, California. The event was featured on Shannen’s We TV show, “Shannen Says,” which aired in 2012.
During their marriage, Shannen Doherty frequently praised Kurt Iswarienko for his constant support. She often shared her feelings on social media. In a touching Instagram post from June 2019, she called him her “best friend.”
Shannen expressed her profound love for him, highlighting how his support and understanding had been crucial to her. She even said, “I’m pretty damn lucky.”
As Shannen Doherty dealt with serious health issues, Kurt Iswarienko became her main source of support. In a September 2020 interview, Shannen mentioned she planned to write letters to him to express her gratitude and love.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Iswarienko also highlighted how Shannen gave him strength. In April 2020, he posted on Instagram to celebrate her birthday, sharing how happy he was to be with her on such a special day.
Despite Kurt Iswarienko’s joy in baking a cake and cooking for Shannen Doherty on her birthday, their strong connection wasn’t enough to save their marriage. He shared his love for her with a heartfelt message on Instagram.
However, Shannen Doherty decided to file for divorce after 11 years of marriage. On April 21, 2023, TMZ reported that Doherty had officially submitted divorce papers in Los Angeles. The documents showed that the couple had separated in January 2023, and the divorce followed ongoing tensions between them.
Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko, who is a professional photographer known as PICTUREKID, did not have any children together. According to Doherty’s representative, Leslie Sloane, the actress did not want the divorce but felt she had no other choice.
Sloane mentioned that Iswarienko’s agent, Collier Grimm, was involved in the divorce process and suggested contacting him for more details. Sources close to the couple said that their separation was becoming increasingly contentious.
Their separation became more difficult due to Shannen Doherty’s worsening health. In court documents, she asked for spousal support but did not want her ex to receive any.
There was no prenuptial agreement between Doherty and Iswarienko. Just before the news of their divorce was made public, Doherty posted a cryptic message on Instagram, highlighting that people who truly belong in one’s life treat them well.
This was Shannen Doherty’s third marriage. She was first married to Ashley Hamilton from 1993 to 1994 and then to Rick Salomon from 2002 to 2003. Before marrying Kurt Iswarienko, Doherty had recognized the serious commitment that marriage required.
Shannen Doherty had vowed to approach her marriage to Kurt Iswarienko with greater seriousness than she had in the past, reflecting on her previous experiences. However, divorce wasn’t the only challenge she faced.
Doherty’s Battle with Stage 4 Cancer
While dealing with her divorce, Doherty also continued to fight stage 4 cancer. Over the years, she has undergone various treatments to manage her condition.
Shannen Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2015. After two years of treatment, she went into remission. However, in 2020, the cancer returned as stage 4. Throughout her battle, Doherty has been open about her struggles, sharing her journey with the public.
In a February 2020 interview, Shannen Doherty shared that she was having a hard time accepting the return of her cancer. She found it challenging to understand and was worried about how to tell her mother and Iswarienko about her condition.
Throughout her battle with cancer, Shannen Doherty has shared her journey on social media. Even though the cancer came back, she continued to work, showing her determination to keep going despite the challenges.
Doherty wanted to be seen as someone who could keep working even with stage 4 cancer. While she initially kept her diagnosis private, she eventually shared it with a few close people, including her “90210” co-star Brian Austin Green.
Brian Austin Green played a key role in supporting Shannen Doherty, especially when she felt anxious on set. He reassured her that he was there for her no matter what, which was a huge comfort during her tough times.
Despite her challenges, Doherty kept a positive outlook. In March 2023, she joined a “Charmed” panel at 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, showing her resilience and continued commitment to her work.
Shannen Doherty’s strength and determination during her battle with cancer inspired many. Despite facing tremendous challenges, she remained open about her struggles and continued to work, demonstrating incredible perseverance.
Tragically, Doherty passed away on July 13, 2024, at the age of 53, as her cancer took its toll. The following day, her representative Leslie Sloane confirmed the news, expressing deep sadness over Doherty’s passing.
Shannen Doherty rejected a proposal related to her divorce because she felt her ex-husband and his legal team were not dealing with the issues related to his earlier works created during their marriage. She also wanted them to consider his ability to earn money.
Doherty requested $15,434 each month in spousal support because not working would make her lose her SAG health insurance, and her income from “Charmed” was decreasing. She claimed Iswarienko was living a lavish lifestyle while she was struggling financially.
In 2024, Doherty reported earning just over $25,000, which was a big drop from her previous income. Her legal fees had reached nearly $160,000, and she asked her ex to cover $130,000 for future legal costs and $10,000 to pay off her lawyer’s balance.
