One more time

Jasmine Singh

Famous Hollywood actor Charlie Sheen once said in an interview that it was possible to remarry his ex-wife! Interestingly, The Punjab and Haryana High Court, by setting aside  a decree of mutual divorce in a path-breaking judgment, has made it clear that there is always a scope for a U-turn in marriage, even after a couple has parted ways. There are many examples of celebrities who remarried their ex’s, walking the aisle with them happily and making a new set of vows.

Known Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Gupta first married his wife Anuradha in 1997; the couple, however, got divorced in 2004, and later re-married again five years after the spilt. In a similar situation like this, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk married English actress Talulah Riley in 2010. They ended their relationship in 2012. Musk and Riley remarried again in 2013 and later got divorced in 2014!

Tricky situation

Dr Vaneet Bains, sociologist, calls it a tricky situation, “Marrying the same person again doesn’t guarantee a life-long companionship. It is more of an emotional happening; in mutual separation, partners still have a degree of love and respect for each other, which is why they decided to settle the case amicably. This means there is always a small window for getting back together, and if there is a kid in between, chances obviously increase.”

This formal resurrection of marriage is no guarantee that what happened earlier wouldn’t be repeated though. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are a fine example of this situation. Elizabeth was first married to Richard from 1964-74 and then again from 1975-76. Bollywood actress Pamela Anderson’s story is no less interesting. Pamela married her ex-husband Rick Salmon in 2014 and asked for a divorce the same year, and later asked the judge to toss out her request. In 2015, she filed for a divorce for a third time. 

Once again

Anurag Singh Tagra, advocate at Punjab and Haryana High Court and co-opted member, Vigilance Committee, Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana adds, “Cooling period gives them time to think and this reignites their love. During divorce, they generally repent. I have seen cases where couples divorced are now married again.” 

On & off 

• American rapper Eminem was first married to his wife, Kim Scott, from 1999–2001. The couple got remarried and then divorced again in 2006. 
• American television host Larry King was first married to Alene Akins from 1961–1963, and then again remarried her, and stayed together from 1967 to 1972. 
• It also rumoured that Aditya Pancholi and his wife, actress Zarina Wahab, parted ways but later got together.
• Bollywood actor Om Puri apparently went back to his first wife Seema Kapoor, after separating from his second wife Nandita Puri. 
• American actress Melanie Griffith was first married to Don Johnson for six months in 1976, and then again from 1989–1996. 

jasmine@tribunemail.com