Jessica Simpson Parents Divorce Finalized: Tina, Joe End 34-Year Marriage
The parents of Hollywood starlet Jessica Simpson have reportedly finalized their divorce, seven months after the mother of two filed to end their marriage.
Tina, 52, cited "discord or conflict of personalities" in her September divorce filing and on Thursday a judge legally ended her 34-year marriage to Joe, 54, according to TMZ.com.
While settlement details have not yet been revealed, a source previously confirmed that the couple's split was "amicable." They share two children, Jessica, 31, and her younger sister Ashlee, 28.
In October critics speculated other potential reasons for Tina's abrupt divorce filing. A family rep slammed ongoing reports suggesting Joe, who is a former pastor, is a homosexual.
"It is an amicable split and there is no third party involved," a Simpson family representative told People. "Any other related allegations are completely false. The family appreciates your respect for their privacy at this time."
Joe, who once worked at Heights Baptist church in Texas, has previously faced criticisms for his management style over Jessica and Ashlee.
After leaving his position at the church to pursue showbiz careers for his daughters and later making public statements regarding Jessica's breast size, critics began accusing the father of two of turning her into a sex symbol. Some decried his failing to uphold his Christian values.
"I was accused, [because of] my background in the ministry, you know 'your daughter doesn't love God anymore', 'you've forsaken the church' and I'm like, you don't even know me or know my family," Simpson's father told ABC's "20/20" in a 2004 interview.
The grandfather helped both Jessica and Ashlee establish their singing careers as teenagers and he even contacted MTV about producing Jessica's reality TV show "Newlyweds," which documented her marriage to her now ex-husband Nick Lachey. Fans criticized him for allegedly exploiting his daughters, which led to accusations of him being unchristian.
