Malaak Compton-Rock: All about Chris Rock's Ex-wife and Her Life after Their Divorce
Malaak Compton-Rock, Chris Rock's ex-wife, seemed to be doing well in her new life as a career-oriented woman after the couple divorced. Here's what Malaak Compton-Rock is doing now.
Comedian and actor Chris Rock is well-known for his talent for making other people laugh with his witty remarks. In addition to being a funny man, he also has a romantic side to him. He was recently rumored to be dating actress Lake Bell.
Lake, who is both a screenwriter and director, is the latest woman that Chris reportedly dated. Several ladies, including the comedian's former wife, Malaak Compton-Rock, have been linked with the award-winning comedian in the past.
Malaak Compton-Rock attends the 2015 Children's Defense Fund Beat The Odds Gala at The Pierre Hotel on March 4, 2015, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
WHO IS MALAAK COMPTON-ROCK, CHRIS ROCK'S EX-WIFE?
Malaak was born on June 13, 1969, in Oakland, California. Before she became Chris's famous ex-wife, she built a name for herself as public relations officer for UNICEF after obtaining an arts management degree from Howard University.
Malaak founded the non-profit organization styleWORKS, which offered free hairstyling, make-up, and complete makeovers to women leaving welfare to integrate into the workforce. Now, styleWORKS provides regular workshops to help women find jobs and keep them.
In 2008, Malaak created The Angelrock Project, dedicated to raising awareness of the many problems affecting society and motivating people to embrace volunteerism and become more socially responsible.
Malaak is also the author of a bestselling book, "If it Takes a Village, Build One: How I Found Meaning Through a Life of Service, and 100+ Ways You Can Too," published in 2010. The book was to become the basis for her next project.
The idea of The Angel Rock project was to build "the village" on a global scale through the e-community. In that, Malaak has succeeded. The Angel Rock Project is active throughout the US and South Africa and has collaborated with other organizations to support vulnerable women and children worldwide.
With her incredible achievement, it's no surprise that Malaak made her way into Chris's heart. The couple met in 1994, married two years later, and welcomed two daughters.
WHY DID MALAAK COMPTON-ROCK AND CHRIS ROCK GET A DIVORCE?
Malaak and Chris decided to file for divorce in 2014 after nearly 20 years of marriage. Malaak said in a statement that her divorce from the stand-up comedian was a "significant change" and that their children remain the center of her life despite the split.
According to reports, Chris was the one who filed for divorce. Malaak also asked for privacy and respect from the public. Meanwhile, the couple's divorce had been expected due to Chris's history with women.
Chris Rock and Malaak Rock at the 33rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center Hall of States on December 5, 2010 in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images
Chris revealed in the 2018 documentary "Chris Rock: Tamborine" that he cheated on his ex-wife with three different women while on tour before the couple's divorce in 2016.
Chris Rock admitted that the marriage fell apart due to his infidelities and did not recover. He took his pain on the road with his comedy show tour. He joked:
"Marriage is so tough, Nelson Mandela got divorced. … He got out of jail after 27 years of torture, spent six months with his wife and said, 'I can't take this s— no more."
Malaak Compton and Chris Rock attend the "Death At A Funeral" Los Angeles Premiere at Pacific's Cinerama Dome on April 12, 2010, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED TO MALAAK COMPTON-ROCK AFTER HER DIVORCE FROM CHRIS ROCK?
Malaak has moved on following the divorce. She has devoted herself to humanitarian work and advocacy, including participating in International Women's Day celebrations and serving on the board of the non-profit organization Children's Defense Fund.
Despite their divorce, Malaak and Chris continue to look after their children. Chris and Malaak are devoted co-parents to Zahra and Lola, and the two girls have grown into lovely young women.
Malaak Compton-Rock, Chris Rock, and children arrive at the Bee Movie Premiere at Loews Lincoln Square on October 25, 2007, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Zahra is an accomplished equestrienne who competes in national gymkhanas; as for Lola, she will soon be college-age and heading for a new life. Chris is a hands-on dad and revealed:
“All my friends assume I moved into the city after my divorce, away from my girls. When I say I bought a house around the corner, it blows their minds.”
Aside from working on her social causes and being committed to co-parenting Zahra and Lola, Malaak seemed to have met a new guy based on her recent Twitter photos.
Although she never acknowledged the identity of her mystery man, the rumored pair traveled to different places. In one of her posts, they went on a boating trip to Croatia.
Malaak and her mystery guy have also been seen together at social gatherings. Several of Malaak's fans were glad she was in a good place with a good-looking man. "Here's to lifelong love and happiness," a fan commented.