When you’re a reality TV star and former WWE champion, your personal life is never entirely private. Nikki Bella — now going by Nikki Garcia — has spent the past year navigating a very public divorce, a custody arrangement for her son Matteo, and the financial settlement that came with it.

Children: 1 son (Matteo) ·
Divorce settlement: $200,000 plus child support to Artem Chigvintsev ·
WWE championships: 2-time Divas Champion ·
Current marital status: Divorced from Artem Chigvintsev (filed 2024)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact reasons for the breakup with John Cena remain private
  • Whether Nikki and John still communicate regularly
  • Nikki Garcia’s future relationship plans
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Co-parenting schedule in effect with alternating holidays
  • Nikki continues her podcast and WWE appearances
  • Both parents share extracurricular and speech therapy costs
Key facts about Nikki Bella
Field Value
Full name Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace
Born November 21, 1983
Children 1 son (Matteo)
Ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev
Ex-fiancé John Cena
WWE championships 2-time Divas Champion

Who got custody of Nikki Bella’s son?

One of the most pressing questions after the split was who would care for Matteo, born July 31, 2020. Court documents and multiple reports confirm that Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev share joint custody of their son.

What is the custody arrangement?

According to People celebrity news magazine, the former couple agreed to share joint physical and legal custody. The settlement also specifies that they will alternate major holidays each year. Nikki keeps the Napa home, while Artem retains the Los Angeles residence.

How much child support does Nikki pay?

In May 2025, TMZ celebrity news outlet reported that Nikki Garcia agreed to pay Artem Chigvintsev $3,500 per month in child support. On top of that, she must make a $200,000 lump-sum payment, split into two $100,000 installments. The settlement also requires Nikki to cover Matteo’s speech therapist expenses, and both parents split the cost of extracurricular activities.

Who has primary custody?

While the arrangement is joint, Nikki Garcia’s September 2024 divorce filing originally sought legal and physical custody with visitation rights for Artem, as reported by TMZ celebrity news outlet. The final settlement, however, moved to a shared model, reflecting a mediated agreement reached in November 2024.

The upshot

Nikki Garcia ended up sharing custody despite the domestic violence arrest of Artem in August 2024 — a reminder that family court often prioritizes ongoing parent-child relationships unless clear harm is proven.

Why did John Cena leave Nikki Bella?

Before her marriage to Artem, Nikki was engaged to WWE superstar John Cena. The couple’s split in 2018 was widely covered, but the exact reasons remain something the pair has kept mostly private.

What were the reasons for the breakup?

Nikki and John dated for over six years and got engaged at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. According to interviews and biographical accounts on Wikipedia user-edited encyclopedia, the couple split because of differing views on marriage and children. Cena, who has said he never wanted children, reportedly clashed with Nikki’s desire to start a family. The engagement was called off in April 2018.

Do Nikki and John still talk?

Both have indicated in interviews that they remain on friendly terms. John Cena has spoken positively about Nikki in public, and Nikki has said they are “in a good place” — though the frequency of their communication is not publicly known.

What was their relationship timeline?

  • 2012: Started dating
  • 2017: Engagement at WrestleMania 33
  • 2018: Engagement ends
  • 2019: Nikki begins relationship with Artem Chigvintsev
Why this matters

The John Cena chapter shaped Nikki’s public narrative for years. Her eventual marriage to Artem and the birth of Matteo fulfilled the family goals she said she wanted — but the divorce now forces a new balancing act between career and single motherhood.

What happened to Nikki Bella and her husband?

Nikki Garcia married Artem Chigvintsev in 2022 after a whirlwind romance that began in 2019. Just two years later, the marriage unraveled in a very public way.

When did they get married?

The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in August 2022, as reported by multiple outlets including People celebrity news magazine. They had been together since 2019, after meeting on the set of Dancing with the Stars where Artem was a professional dancer.

Why did they divorce?

Nikki Garcia filed for divorce in September 2024, citing irreconcilable differences. The filing came shortly after Artem Chigvintsev was arrested in August 2024 on allegations of felony domestic violence, according to E! News entertainment news network. The arrest stemmed from an incident at the couple’s home in Napa Valley. Artem was taken into custody but later released; criminal charges were not filed in the case.

How did Nikki explain divorce to their son Matteo?

On her podcast The Nikki & Brie Show, Nikki Garcia described talking to then-4-year-old Matteo in age-appropriate terms. She reportedly said she explained that “mommy and daddy live in different houses now” but that both love him very much, as noted by Sportskeeda sports and entertainment news site.

What is the divorce settlement?

Beyond the child support and lump sum, the settlement — reached through mediation in November 2024 — divides assets. Nikki kept the Napa home and trusts in her name, while Artem kept the Los Angeles home and his own trusts. The terms were finalized in court and reported in May 2025.

How many children does Nikki Bella have?

Nikki Bella has one son, Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev, born July 31, 2020. She has no other children. Her twin sister, Brie Bella, has two children with her husband Daniel Bryan.

What is the name of Nikki Bella’s son?

Matteo’s full name was revealed in a birth announcement on social media. He is often referred to as Matteo or “Matteo Artem” by fans.

Does she have any other children?

No. Nikki has stated in interviews that she is focused on raising Matteo and has not publicly discussed plans for more children.

At what age did Nikki Bella give birth?

Nikki Garcia gave birth to Matteo at age 36. Born November 21, 1983, she was 36 years and 8 months old when she welcomed her son in July 2020.

How old was she when she became a mother?

Her age at childbirth — 36 — is within the typical range for first-time mothers in the United States, but it came after years of public discussion about her desire to have children, especially during her relationship with John Cena.

What was her pregnancy experience?

Nikki documented her pregnancy on social media and talked about it on her podcast. She experienced a healthy pregnancy and gave birth via C-section, as reported by WWE official wrestling entertainment company.

Timeline

  • 1983: Birth of Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace
  • 2007: WWE debut as part of The Bella Twins
  • 2016–2018: Relationship and engagement with John Cena
  • 2018: Engagement ends
  • 2019: Public relationship with Artem Chigvintsev begins
  • 2020: Son Matteo is born
  • 2022: Marriage to Artem Chigvintsev
  • 2023: Separation from Artem
  • 2024: Divorce filing and settlement ($200K + child support)

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Nikki Garcia has primary physical custody of son Matteo
  • Artem Chigvintsev received $200,000 lump sum and $3,500/month child support
  • Nikki gave birth at age 36
  • Engagement to John Cena ended in 2018

What’s unclear

  • Exact reasons for John Cena breakup (private)
  • Whether Nikki and John still communicate regularly
  • Nikki’s future relationship plans

Key quotes

“I had to give him $200,000. It is what it is.”

— Nikki Garcia on The Nikki & Brie Show, as reported by Sportskeeda sports and entertainment news site

“The parties have reached a settlement agreement through mediation and are pleased to put this matter behind them.”

— Spokesperson for Nikki Garcia, quoted by E! News entertainment news network

For Nikki Garcia, the immediate future is about co-parenting Matteo while rebuilding her public and private life. The financial settlement — $200,000 upfront plus ongoing child support — is a tangible cost of the split, but the shared custody arrangement gives her the family role she fought for. For fans watching her journey, the lesson is clear: even a two-time Divas Champion can’t win every round in family court — but she can navigate it with transparency and grit.

Related reading: Joe Jonas: Divorce, Custody, Kids and Net Worth

Additional sources

msn.com, soapcentral.com, nypost.com, tmz.com, sportskeeda.com, australianfocus.com, lifeandstylemag.com, youtube.com

Frequently asked questions

Did Nikki Bella keep her last name after divorce?

Yes, Nikki Garcia continues to use Garcia professionally, though she is still widely known as Nikki Bella.

How long were Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev married?

They were married from August 2022 until their divorce filing in September 2024 — about two years.

What does Nikki Bella’s son call John Cena?

Matteo reportedly calls John Cena “Uncle John” according to family interviews.

Is Nikki Bella dating anyone now?

As of early 2025, Nikki has not publicly confirmed any new relationship.

Did Nikki Bella retire from WWE?

She stepped back from full-time wrestling in 2019 but makes occasional appearances and is still under contract with WWE.

How much is Nikki Bella’s net worth?

Estimates place her net worth between $4 million and $8 million, per Celebrity Net Worth wealth tracking site.

Are Nikki and Brie Bella still close?

Yes, the twins remain close and co-host a podcast together.