Tony Parker & Eva Longoria: Hundreds of Texts That Ended a Hollywood Marriage
She found hundreds of texts from his teammate's wife — and filed in two states simultaneously.
Key Facts
What Happened
When San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker married Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria in a lavish Paris ceremony in July 2007, it was one of the biggest celebrity weddings of the decade. The couple had signed a prenuptial agreement before the wedding and amended it in 2009. Their combined earning power was staggering — Longoria earned an estimated $375,000 per episode and ranked among Forbes' top-earning women, while Parker's NBA salary exceeded $12 million annually.
In late 2010, Longoria confided to friend and TV host Mario Lopez that she had discovered hundreds of text messages between Parker and another woman on his phone. The other woman was identified as Erin Barry, the wife of Brent Barry — Parker's own teammate on the Spurs. The revelation was doubly devastating: not only was Parker allegedly unfaithful, but the affair involved the wife of a man who shared a locker room with him. The Barrys also divorced shortly after.
What followed was a jurisdictional chess match. On November 17, 2010, Longoria filed for divorce in Los Angeles, citing 'irreconcilable differences.' Just two days later, Parker filed his own petition in Bexar County, Texas, on the grounds of 'discord or conflict of personalities.' The competing filings created a legal battle over which state's courts would handle the case — a decision with major financial implications given the differences between California and Texas divorce law.
The divorce was ultimately finalized in Texas on January 28, 2011, with the prenuptial agreement governing the financial terms. Though the exact settlement was never disclosed, the prenup reportedly protected both parties' individual earnings and pre-marital assets. Longoria later spoke about the emotional toll, telling Cosmopolitan she questioned whether she was 'sexy enough' after the betrayal. Parker expressed regret in a 2015 interview, calling the divorce 'painful.'
Legal Breakdown: Prenuptial Agreements
Dual-State Filing Strategy
When Longoria filed in California and Parker filed in Texas two days later, both were engaging in jurisdictional strategy. California's community property law would split marital assets 50/50, while Texas — also a community property state but with different enforcement nuances — might treat the prenup differently. Parker's Texas filing was strategic: as a longtime Texas resident, he had stronger jurisdictional ties, and Texas courts ultimately handled the case.
Prenuptial Amendments
The couple's decision to amend their prenup in 2009 — two years into the marriage — is notable. Post-nuptial amendments can either strengthen or weaken the original agreement. In this case, the amended prenup held up during divorce proceedings, suggesting both parties had independent legal counsel during the amendment process, which is critical for enforceability.
Digital Evidence in Modern Divorce
Longoria's discovery of hundreds of text messages represents a common modern scenario: digital evidence revealing infidelity. While text messages can be powerful evidence, their admissibility varies by state. In Texas, which the court ultimately handled, fault-based grounds like adultery can affect property division. However, since the couple had a prenup, the evidence of infidelity became more about leverage in negotiations than courtroom strategy.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Where you file for divorce matters enormously — if you and your spouse live in different states, consult a lawyer about which jurisdiction serves your interests.
- →Prenuptial agreements can be amended during marriage. If your financial situation changes significantly, consider updating your prenup with independent legal counsel.
- →Text messages and digital communications are admissible evidence in many jurisdictions. Assume everything you write digitally can appear in court.
- →Infidelity with a spouse's close associate (teammate, colleague, friend) creates additional emotional and social damage that complicates negotiations.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.