On June 29, 2012, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes announced they were divorcing after five years of marriage – one of the most high-profile breakups showbiz has ever seen.
For years, the couple was considered one of Hollywood’s greatest couples, with Tom infamously declaring his love for Kate while hopping onto a sofa during an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show.
The couple married in a Scientologist ceremony in Italy in 2006, just months after welcoming their daughter Suri, but things slowly fell apart, with sources claiming Katie feels intimidated by the church and its influence.
The aftermath of Tom and Katie’s bitter split has seen Suri, now 16, becoming estranged from her father and the actress gaining “sole custody” of their daughter following the divorce.
Following reports that Suri has now started applying to colleges with the help of her mother, Web takes a look back at Tom and Katie’s acrimonious split…
Drama: Web takes a look at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ bitter split after they shocked showbiz with the news of their divorce in 2012 (pictured during their last appearance together)
He loved her! They have been branded as one of Hollywood’s greatest couples, with Tom infamously declaring his love for Kate while hopping onto a sofa during an appearance on Oprah
Breaking news: The couple wed in a Scientologist ceremony in Italy in 2006, just months after welcoming their daughter Suri, but things slowly fell apart
In 2012, Tom, now 60, said he was “deeply saddened” that his younger wife Katie had filed for separation.
He revealed the former Dawson’s Creek actress initiated the split, bringing a dramatic ending to one of Hollywood’s most iconic romances.
“This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family,” Holmes’ attorney Jonathan Wolfe said in a statement to People magazine at the time.
“Katie’s primary concern remains, as always, the welfare of her daughter.”
A spokesman for Cruise, who was in Iceland at the time filming Oblivion, said, “Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and focused on his three children.”
The actress filed documents in New York citing “irreconcilable differences.”
Katie also asked her husband for legal custody, custody of the main home and a “reasonable amount” of child support, TMZ reported.
She also requested a property division in the divorce documents, although there is a significant prenuptial agreement based on California law.
Cruise reportedly “didn’t see the divorce coming.”
But sources insisted she told her husband of five and a half that she was filing for divorce – but she didn’t give him a chance to control the spread of the news like he did with Nicole Kidman.
In June 2012, it was reported that Katie decided to file for divorce in New York because it could potentially give her a better chance of gaining sole custody of Suri.
With a financial premarriage already in place, it is believed that Holmes intentionally filed for divorce in upstate New York rather than California because New York doesn’t like giving conflicting parents joint custody.
With sole custody of Suri, Holmes would be able to remove her daughter from the Church of Scientology, which she reportedly dislikes and distrusts, despite her husband’s enthusiasm for it.
Holmes recruited East Coast attorney Jonathan Wolfe for the divorce and was expected at the time to honor the terms of her alleged marriage contract to Tom Cruise in a New York court.
“It is New York State public policy to recognize prenuptial agreements,” said attorney Paul Talbert, a partner at Chemtob Moss Forman & Talbert LLP.
However, Holmes was known to be independently wealthy through her own television and film career, so there is no financial benefit to filing for divorce in New York.
The fact remains that New York family court judges are reluctant to grant joint custody to fighting parents because they believe it will lead to endless conflicts in the children or in the children’s lives.
Since Suri was reportedly attending a Scientology-influenced school in California at the time, Holmes could have removed her if she had been granted sole custody.
End: Katie filed for divorce from Tom and while it was believed the Top Gun “didn’t see the divorce coming”, sources insisted the actress had told him
Tactics: In June 2012, it was reported that Katie decided to file for divorce in New York because it could potentially give her a better chance of gaining sole custody of their daughter Suri
Fight back: On July 9, 2012, Katie’s lawyer confirmed that her divorce with Tom has been settled, with Katie being awarded “sole custody” of Suri, who was six at the time
At the end of June 2012, Katie had moved into a lavish apartment in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood and was spotted shopping for supplies at a Whole Foods in Manhattan on June 27 – just a day before she filed for divorce from Tom.
The star, who was accompanied by her daughter Suri, bought flowers, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, olive oil and other items, according to Us Weekly.
Katie reportedly secretly signed the lease on the home for an alleged $12,000 a month in mid-June.
In July of that year, it was said the former Dawson’s Creek star was determined to do whatever it took to gain sole custody of their child.
Sources said she saw Tom’s second wife, Nicole Kidman, with Rock of Ages actor Isabella, 30, and Connor, 28, cut out of their children’s lives and Katie wouldn’t let it happen.
An insider close to Katie – who feared Suri was raised as a devout Scientologist like Tom, Isabella and Connor – said: “Bella and Connor aren’t as close to Nicole and Katie is adamant that she doesn’t get left out of Suri Life. Bella and Connor are devoted to their father and to Scientology, and Katie has seen that firsthand, and it’s one of the reasons she filed for sole custody.
“Katie will not be relegated to a minor role in her daughter’s life, period, and she is ready to fight Tom in court. Katie will not back down and will do whatever it takes to ensure she raises Suri herself.”
On July 9, 2012, Katie’s lawyer confirmed that her divorce with Tom had been settled, with Katie being awarded “sole custody” of Suri, who was six at the time.
The former couple reached an out-of-court settlement, meaning the actor’s beloved Scientology was no longer at risk of scrutiny as the religion’s mysteries were dissected during a trial.
A statement from the couple said: “We are committed to working together as parents to achieve what is in the best interests of our daughter Suri.
“We wish to keep matters affecting our family private and to express our respect for each other’s commitment to our respective beliefs and support of each other’s roles as parents.”
Holmes’ attorney, Jonathan Wolfe, said: “This case has been settled and the agreement signed.”
Speaking to TMZ, he added: “We are thrilled for Katie and her family and look forward to seeing her begin the next chapter in her life.
‘We thank Tom’s attorney for his professionalism and diligence in helping bring about this quick resolution.’
According to TMZ, while Katie has sole custody of Suri, Tom is still set to get plenty of custody of his daughter.
Apparently, the agreement also included details on what Tom and Katie Suri were allowed to say about religion, including Scientology.
The restrictions have been eased as Suri gets older, the site reported.
A separate source speaking to Radar also revealed that Suri would be staying with Katie in New York, where they currently live, and would be accompanied by her own nanny and a team of bodyguards when she visited dad Tom weekly. However, an insider who spoke to TMZ has denied it.
The insider told ‘Radar’: “Katie insisted Suri’s nanny and bodyguard always accompany her when she visits Tom…
“Suri is Katie’s top priority. Tom only has Scientologists working for him and Katie insisted her staff will always be with her daughter.
“Under the terms of the settlement, Suri must have nothing to do with Scientology, and that includes going to Churches of Scientology, parties, etc. Katie made sure that was adamant.”
Nor was Suri expected to attend a Scientology school like Cruise’s adopted children with ex-wife Nicole Kidman, Isabella and Conor, did.
According to their divorce paperwork, Tom agreed to pay Katie $400,000 a month until Suri turned 18.
The documents also state that Tom has agreed to cover all of Suri’s expenses, including “medical, dental, insurance, education, college and other extracurricular expenses.”
“Tom has always taken his responsibilities seriously when it comes to financial commitments to Katie and Suri,” the source told .
However, the Mission Impossible actor has not maintained a presence in Suri’s life.
Tom hasn’t seen Suri in over 10 years, yet he has a close bond with the two children he shares with Nicole.
Nicole, on the other hand – who filed for divorce in 2001 after 11 years of marriage due to Tom’s Scientology ties – hasn’t spoken to Tom in almost 20 years.
In 2019, author Samantha Domingo told Us Weekly that Tom is not allowed to have a relationship with Suri because she is not a Scientologist.
She told the outlet the reason is the church’s belief in reincarnation, they wouldn’t consider Suri to be Tom’s daughter.
The acclaimed author added that they instead view Suri as a “spiritual being in Tom’s daughter’s body.”
Tom disagreed that his religion caused him to become estranged from Suri.
In 2013, Tom sued In Touch magazine for $50 million when the outlet reported that he “abandoned” his daughter.
When the case went to trial, Tom said he couldn’t see Suri due to his busy work schedule.
He told the court that he had not seen Suri for 100 days because he was in London shooting a film called All You Need is Kill Abroad.
“Unfortunately, in this situation, it was impossible,” he told the court, according to People. He added that far from abandoning his daughter, he called her every day –
“You have to work at it. I got very good at it. I tell wonderful stories,” Tom told the court.
It was reported on Monday that Suri has already started applying to colleges with the help of her mother – but the teen’s famous father Tom won’t help her because the actor has “no role” in his child’s life.
A source close to Katie, 44, exclusively told that Suri, who turns 17 next month, has “sent out a few applications” and is “inclined” to study fashion in New York City – a choice she is making improve her style. accomplished mother Katie very satisfied.
“Suri applies to schools everywhere. [Katie] really wants her to stay in New York so they can be close to each other. Katie is very proud of her but also extremely overprotective,” the insider shared, adding that Katie was “overwhelmed” by the idea of her daughter going to college.
While Katie is taking an active role in helping her daughter with her college applications, the teen’s father, Mission Impossible star Tom, will have no part in the process.