Raising children is tough enough, but it presents a unique challenge when you have to do so in the spotlight. Many fans assume that access to nannies and other resources thanks to celebrity wealth and influence may make parenthood easier. But there are many stars that have struggled to raise a family, including the following celebrities who all lost custody of their children. While some regained it, others didn’t. Here’s what happened.
11 Aaron Carter
Months before his death, Aaron Carter lost custody of his 9-month-old son, Prince, as did the infant’s mother, Melanie Martin. Aaron and Melanie had a history of domestic disputes and there were also allegations of substance abuse, leading Prince to be placed in his maternal grandmother’s care.
After losing custody, Aaron entered a voluntary rehab program in a bid to win his son back.
“It’s an abstinence program and I work with an individual counselor,” he told The Sun of the program. “I do group therapy, parenting classes, domestic violence classes. I got myself certified in CPR, just a lot of different things.”
However, Aaron ultimately passed away in November 2021 after being found unconscious in his bathtub. He didn’t regain custody before his death, but Melanie since has.
10 Britney Spears
Britney Spears welcomed two sons during her marriage to Kevin Federline, which lasted from 2004 to 2007. Though they agreed to share joint custody of their children during the divorce, things changed after a series of bizarre behavior from the singer, which included a brief stint in rehab and the infamous head shaving incident.
Her ex-husband ultimately took her to court to request full custody of the boys, which he was given. Britney was subsequently placed in a conservatorship, which was lifted in the fall of 2021. She’s also regained joint custody of her sons, though they’ve reportedly had little contact with her in recent months.
9 Kelly Rutherford
Known for her recurring role on Gossip Girl, Kelly Rutherford was swept into an international custody battle after her divorce from businessman Daniel Giersch, a German native, in 2009.
Though they initially agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their two kids, things changed after Daniel’s U.S. travel visa was revoked after Kelly’s legal team allegedly gave the State Department information about his illicit dealings.
Since he could no longer travel to the U.S., a judge ruled that the kids should live primarily with him in France, instructing Kelly to travel in order to visit them. The actress has continued to fight the decision, though she’s had to declare bankruptcy over the legal fees related to her divorce and custody battle.
8 Jenn Harley
Jenn Harley lost primary custody of her 4-year-old daughter, Ariana, when her ex-boyfriend, Jersey Shore alum Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, was granted primary physical custody.
"Ariana's primary residence is with the father in California,” the judge stated in court documents. “This order is made with the knowledge that Ariana will be starting school soon and needs a primary residence with one parent. Ariana will be with father at all times."
The exes had a long history of domestic abuse, custody disputes, and various allegations. Jenn was charged for domestic battery in 2021, which likely factored into the court’s decision. She was granted visitation rights.
"Parents have joint legal custody and in the event of a disagreement father shall have tiebreaker authority after making a good faith effort to meet and confer," the judge added.
7 Tamika Fuller
Ludacris welcomed a daughter, Cai, with Tamika Fuller in 2013, at the same time he was dating his now-wife, model Eudoxie Mbouguiengue. Though they described themselves as friends during Tamika’s pregnancy, Ludacris pursued and won full custody a year later. Tamika has subsequently made many allegations against the rapper, including that he tried to pay her to terminate her pregnancy.
6 Courtney Love
Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain temporarily lost custody of their daughter, Frances Bean, when she was a baby amid allegations of drug use. The couple did regain custody after a few weeks.
However, Courtney lost it again in 2009, when teenage Frances made a series of allegations against her mother, including the claim that she killed several of her daughter's pets. Frances was subsequently placed in the guardianship of her paternal grandmother and aunt.
The mother and daughter reportedly have a rocky relationship to this day, with Frances not even inviting her mom to her 2015 wedding.
5 Charlie Sheen & Brooke Mueller
Charlie Sheen is known for his wild behavior, but his ex-wife Brooke Mueller also lost custody of their twin boys in 2013 amid allegations of erratic behavior and drug usage. She had previously gained full custody following their break-up.
For a brief time, the twins were placed in the care of Denise Richards, Charlie Sheen’s other ex-wife and the mother of two of his daughters.
Brooke eventually regained full custody of her sons the following year after completing rehab. Though Charlie has challenged her for joint custody in the past, he’s reportedly given up on pursuing it.
4 Tameka Foster
Tameka Foster was married to R&B artist Usher from 2007 to 2009, and the former couple share two sons. However, shortly after their split, Usher was awarded primary custody of the boys.
The singer’s attorney had argued his ex-wife was “incapable of being a proper parent” and “does not have the emotional stability to or capacity to bond with them [the children], and therefore she is handicapped.” Conversely, her team argued that Usher’s traveling schedule would make it impossible to properly care for the kids.
Ultimately, Usher’s lawyers were able to prove she had sent him threatening message, which swayed the case in his favor.
3 Lisa Bonet
Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet shared a daughter from their short-lived marriage. Though they split custody for many years following their divorce, Zoe asked to live full-time with her father at the age of 11. Lenny was ultimately granted primary custody, while Lisa was entitled to time with the teen in the summers.
2 Janine Lindemulder
The pornographic actress was previously married to West Cost Chopper founder Jesse James. They wed in a televised ceremony for the Discovery Channel, but their marriage only lasted for two years before they divorced in 2004.
What ensued next was a years-long custody battle over their daughter, Sonny. Despite Jesse being arrested for domestic violence during their relationship, he was granted full custody in 2011. It was reported that Jesse’s then-wife Sandra Bullock played a big part in him winning the battle, though the pair soon divorced after Jesse was exposed for infidelity.
