Jen Hatmaker's Divorce with Ex-husband Brandon Hatmaker – She Kept the Details Private

Jen Hatmaker and her ex-husband, pastor Brandon Hatmaker, were a force to be reckoned with as religious leaders and philanthropists. The couple had been together since the early '90s, but since ending their marriage, Jen found healing and a new love.

Jen Hatmaker's husband, Brandon Hatmaker, is not only a well-known religious leader but also a best-selling author and social media personality. He and Jen tied their lives together at 19 and 21 and led a long-lasting marriage.

However, in 2020, a broken-hearted Jen announced they were filing for divorce via Instagram. The news sent shockwaves across social media, sparking speculations that infidelity from one of them led to their union's end.

It was a heavy blow for Jen, as she admitted that she'd never known a life independent of her former partner until she let him go. But, she learned she was capable of building one and even made room for a new lover.

They Were Married for over 2 Decades

Jen and Brandon met in 1992 when Brandon attended Oklahoma Baptist University. The two became friends, later pursuing a romantic relationship and finally tying the knot the following year, on December 30.

Celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in 2018, Jen posted a sweet tribute on Facebook and reflected on what marriage had taught her. She said it wasn't perfect or easy, but she discovered the extent of her strength with each challenge it brought.

On the morning of the momentous day, she and Brandon "took one look" at each other and couldn't help but burst out laughing. They had chosen each other for 25 years, and Jen hoped there would be 25 more, as she said:

"This guy has loved me almost every day of these 25 years. We’ve got five babies, a good old dog, and we’ve built a life I love so much. I choose you for the next 25 years, Brandon Hatmaker"

The former couple founded the Austin New Church in Austin, Texas, alongside Legacy Collective, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing child trafficking. The non-profit also helped people with healthcare and housing.

Jen Wrote That the Divorce "Details Are Ours Alone"

Jen announced the legal separation on Instagram in September 2020, alongside a graphic with the words "Pray for us." With the sudden nature of this development in her relationship, Jen said she didn't know how to hide her grief and added:

"I don't know how to say this, and I still cannot believe I am even saying it, but Brandon and I are getting divorced. Although the details are ours alone, this was completely unexpected, and I remain stunned as we speak."

Although her comment section was flooded with supportive messages, the media also speculated on the reason for her divorce from Brandon. Some suspected he cheated on her; however, neither party ever confirmed the rumors.

In July 2021, Jen reflected on her healing journey since her marriage's end. She dreaded the anniversary of her separation from Brandon, which seems to have occurred on July 11. However, after spending the day with her two closest friends, she marveled:

"New memories, new places, new adventures, new day. I did NOT EVEN REMEMBER today was July 11th until a good friend texted me at noon."

The Former Couple Are Parents of Five

Their kids are Gavin, Caleb, Sydney, Ben, and Remy. The former three are Jen and Brandon's biological kids, and the latter two were adopted from Ethiopia. In 2018, Jen opened up about raising Black children as a white mother.

Having acknowledged her own racial biases—much like Robert de Niro and Connie Britton with her adopted son, Eyob Britton—she raised Remy and Ben with the hope that they would grow up to advocate for other people of color and see a world where racial equality wasn't a goal, but a lived reality.

Her daughter, Sydney, is part of the LGBTQ community. Jen and Brandon accepted and supported Sydney; however, when Jen began calling for LGBT inclusion in the church, her advocacy was not well received.

Jen Opened Up About Healing After Divorce

During her "Tamron Hall Show" appearance last December, Jen explained how she was convinced she would never be happy again after her divorce. But, after trudging the slow healing process, she cemented her self-worth and found new love with a gentleman named Tyler Merritt.