Mel Gibsons Ex-wife Robyn Moore Gibson and the Story of Their Divorce
For almost three decades, Mel and Robyn Moore Gibson were in what was considered one of the strongest marriages in Hollywood. Now divorced, the former couple shares seven children.
Robyn Moore was born to English actor and director Stephen Vincent Moore on September 15, 1960. She decided to walk in her father's footsteps and took on a stage and television career.
She has musical interests and teaches aerobics while also practicing yoga and pilates. In addition, the ex-wife of Mel Gibson also takes Shakespearean plays into prisons through her work with the LSW prison project.
Photo of Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore Gibson in July 2006 | Source: Getty Images
ROBYN MOORE AND MEL GIBSON'S RELATIONSHIP
Mel and his ex-wife, Robyn, met in Adelaide in 1977 when they became housemates. At the time, he was an up-and-coming stage actor, and she was a dental nurse.
In 1980, when they were both 24 years old, they tied the knot in a small private ceremony. The former couple started having children right away as Hannah, their eldest, was born later that year.
Robyn was crucial in the actor's life, especially during the 1980s when his drinking habit became a problem that almost ended his career.
Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore Gibson at the 60th Annual Academy Awards on April 11, 1988 | Source: Getty Images
According to Standard, Mel started drinking after he couldn't handle the loss of privacy and pressure that came with his fame and successful career. It even led to a DUI arrest in 1984.
Robyn, the daughter of late character actor Stephen Moore known for "The Queen's Nose" and "Black Hearts in Battersea," eventually threatened that if he didn't stop drinking, she would leave him. In 1991, he joined Alcoholics Anonymous and got significantly better.
Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore Gibson at the Los Angeles premiere of "Hamlet" on December 18, 1990 | Source: Getty Images
MEL GIBSON'S CHILDREN
Mel welcomed his first child Hannah in 1980. She also entered the entertainment industry not as an actress but as a makeup artist. In 2006, she married guitarist, singer, and songwriter Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
Two years after his first child, he welcomed twin sons, Edward and Christian. While Christian works as a camera operator in Hollywood, Edward prefers to lead a private life. However, he is the founder of Natural Edge, a custom wood furniture company.
The actor's third son, William, was born in 1985. Like Edward, William prefers to live away from the cameras and keeps a low profile.
In 1988, Mel and Robyn welcomed another son, Loius. He is a writer and director known for "Happy Hunting." Like his elder brother Christian, Louis prefers to work behind the cameras.
Louie Gibson at the Mammoth Film Festival on February 6, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Two years after the birth of Louis, the couple welcomed another son, Milo, who walks in his father's footsteps as an actor. In 2021, he starred in the coming of age story "Manifest West."
In 1999, Mel and Robyn welcomed Thomas, their youngest child, together. There is very little information about Thomas, but he graduated from college in 2017.
Milo Gibson at the Mammoth Film Festival on February 6, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
In 2009, "The Passion of The Christ" director and his then-girlfriend welcomed a daughter, Lucia. Even though her parents separated in 2010, they have kept her away from the public eye.
In 2014, the acclaimed director and actor started dating screenwriter Rosalind Ross, and they welcomed a son, Lars Gerard, in 2017.
Mel Gibson and Thomas Gibson at the Los Angeles Lakers vs Chicago Bulls game on November 18, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
Despite being a father for the ninth time, Mel said no parent was perfect. In an interview, he said:
"There’s no such thing as a perfect parent and it’s so easy to mess up."
However, he hoped he had not done a terrible job. His son Milo believes his dad was not an awful parent as his father supported his passion for becoming an actor. He revealed that his father was a big advocate of doing what you like to do and what you love.
Mel Gibson and Milo Gibson at the after party for the screening of "Hacksaw Ridge" on October 24, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
MEL AND ROBYN'S DIVORCE
Mel and Robyn decided to part ways after over two decades together in August 2006. The split came shortly after the actor got arrested for driving under the influence and made anti-Semitic comments to the police at the scene.
Robyn filed for divorce in April 2009, citing irreconcilable differences. She sought spousal support, attorney's fees, and joint custody of Thomas, the couple's only underage child.
Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore Gibson at the 69th Annual Academy Awards on March 24, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
She filed the papers after discovering that Mel's then-partner, Grigorieva, had given birth to Lucia. He didn't cheat on Robyn, though, as they'd already been separated for about three years.
Apart from that, Mel and Robyn kept things civil during their separation, and the fact that she publicly defended him in a declaration to a Los Angeles judge proved it. In 2010, the actor was involved in a domestic problem as Grigorieva accused him of hitting her. However, Robyn said:
"Mel never engaged in any physical abuse of any kind toward me before, during or after our marriage. Mel was a wonderful and loving father."
Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore Gibson at an Aids benefit on September 20, 1986 | Source: Getty Images
Robyn reportedly spoke out because she didn't want people speculating about what happened within her own family and wanted to protect her children.
Robyn was officially divorced from Mel in late 2011 in a reportedly $425 million settlement. A judge had approved the settlement in December 2011, and it was to become final on January 9, 2012.
Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore Gibson at the Los Angeles premiere of "Hamlet" on December 18, 1990 | Source: Getty Images
In 2011, their divorce was considered the largest settlement in Hollywood history. They did not have a prenuptial agreement; therefore, Robyn was legally entitled to half of anything the "Braveheart" star earned during the marriage.
In addition, Robyn would receive some of his film residual income because she was also entitled to half of his future earnings for the rest of his life.
Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore Gibson at the 60th Annual Academy Awards on April 11, 1988 | Source: Getty Images
In late 2020, Robyn reportedly bought her third Malibu home, described as a "clifftop compound" on one of the choicest streets in Malibu.
Besides her real-estate spending, there is very little information about her. She had always preferred to stay behind the scenes, even when married to one of Hollywood's most famous actors, film directors, and producers.
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