It was the kind of pairing that felt like it was pulled straight from a 2000s mood board. You had Adriana Lima, the undisputed queen of the Victoria’s Secret runway, and Marko Jaric, a Serbian NBA player who, honestly, seemed to have won the cosmic lottery. They were the "it" couple that nobody quite saw coming but everyone eventually rooted for.
When they eloped on Valentine’s Day in 2009, it wasn't just another celebrity wedding. It was a moment. Lima, who had famously been open about her traditional values regarding marriage, seemed to have found her "one" in the 6'7" guard. But as we all know now, the honeymoon didn't last forever. The 2014 announcement of their separation sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. People wanted to know: how does a "perfect" marriage just... end?
The Spark and the Wyoming Secret
Most people don't realize they actually met way back in 2006 at a party in Los Angeles. At the time, Jaric was playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lima was at the absolute peak of her modeling career. She’s admitted in interviews that she wasn't someone who fell in love easily. She was "difficult" in that way, she said. But Jaric changed the math.
By her 27th birthday in 2008, they were engaged. Then came the elopement. No massive Brazilian bash, no Serbian spectacle. Just a private civil ceremony in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. They wanted it to be about them, not the spectacle.
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Why Adriana Lima and Marko Jaric Called it Quits
For five years, they were the picture of stability. They had two daughters—Valentina, born in 2009, and Sienna, who arrived in 2012. They lived in Miami, raising their kids away from the harshest of the paparazzi glares. But by May 2014, the joint statement dropped. It was the standard "long and careful consideration" talk, but the subtext was clear: the spark had faded.
While the tabloids scrambled to find a "scandal," the truth was likely much more mundane—and relatable. Living a life split between international runways and the grueling schedule of professional sports (even as Jaric transitioned out of the NBA) takes a toll. They spent a lot of time apart. You’ve probably seen the rumors of infidelity that occasionally pop up in the darker corners of the internet, but nothing was ever proven. They kept the details of their 2016 divorce settlement strictly confidential in a Manhattan court.
Life After the Split: Co-Parenting Success?
Honestly, if you want to see a masterclass in celebrity co-parenting, look at these two. They didn't go the route of the "messy divorce" that fills the pages of People for years. Instead, they’ve been spotted together at their daughters' events and even vacationing as a family unit post-split.
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Lima hasn't stayed still, obviously. She’s moved on with film producer Andre Lemmers, and they welcomed a son, Cyan, in 2022. It’s a blended family situation that actually seems to work. Jaric, on the other hand, has largely stepped back from the limelight, focusing on his business interests and being a dad. He’s often seen in Miami, where he maintains a close relationship with his girls.
The Daughters are Growing Up Fast
Valentina and Sienna aren't little kids anymore. Valentina is now a teenager and, naturally, people are wondering if she’ll follow her mom’s footsteps. She’s already appeared in Vogue and has shown a serious interest in fashion. Lima has said she’ll support them in whatever they do, but she’s also teaching them that beauty is about being yourself, not just what's on the cover of a magazine.
What This Story Teaches Us
The fascination with Adriana Lima and Marko Jaric isn't just about the glamour. It’s about the reality that even the most "perfect" looking couples face the same friction as everyone else. Distance, career pressure, and the simple act of growing into different people can end a marriage, even if there isn't a "villain" in the story.
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The takeaway here isn't that love fails; it's that successful co-parenting is the real victory. They transitioned from a romantic couple to a functional family unit, which is arguably harder than staying married when things aren't working.
If you're following the trajectory of their lives now, the focus has shifted entirely to the next generation. Keep an eye on the fashion world—it’s only a matter of time before we see the Lima-Jaric name back on a major runway, likely through Valentina. For now, the best way to stay updated is to follow Adriana's occasional family posts, which offer a rare, grounded look at a life that used to be defined by high-fashion fantasy.