Former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is seeking a divorce after nearly 60 years of marriage to his wife Shelly.
Sterling, 81, filed documents in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, citing irreconcilable differences. He has battled with his wife over ownership of the NBA team, which he was forced to sell last year to billionaire Steve Ballmer after making comments about blacks.
Sterling’s divorce petition initially was rejected by the court because it was incomplete and had to be refiled, attorney Bobby Samini said. The date of separation is listed as Aug. 1, 2012, though Shelly Sterling said the couple never separated despite marital issues.
The Sterlings’ 60th anniversary is in two weeks. Shelly Sterling’s attorney, Pierce O’Donnell, said she had no comment and was unaware of a divorce filing by her husband.
Earlier this year, a judge ordered V. Stiviano, alleged to be Donald Sterling’s mistress, to give up a $1.8 million house and to pay Shelly Sterling nearly $800,000 after her husband showered the women with gifts that included luxury vehicles and money.
Last summer, after an audio recording emerged with Sterling telling Stiviano not to consort with blacks, the NBA banned him for life and issued a $2.5 million fine.
After Sterling was determined to be mentally incompetent to handle his business affairs, his wife brokered the sale of the team to Ballmer. Sterling then sued his wife, a partial owner of the Clippers, and the NBA in federal court.