If you’ve spent any time following hip-hop royalty, you know the name Andre Young—better known as Dr. Dre. For over two decades, there was one constant by his side through the rise of Aftermath, the billion-dollar Apple deal, and his transformation into a mogul. That was his wife, Nicole Young. But then, things got messy. Like, really messy.
Honestly, the split between Dr. Dre and Nicole Young didn't just break the internet; it redefined what a "high-stakes" celebrity divorce looks like in the 2020s. We aren't talking about a simple "we grew apart" narrative here. We’re talking about a $100 million settlement, accusations of domestic violence, and a battle over a prenuptial agreement that seemed to change by the day.
Who is Dr. Dre's Ex-Wife?
Nicole Young (formerly Nicole Plotzker) isn't just a "celebrity wife." She had her own life long before the Beats by Dre checks started rolling in. Before she met Dre, she was actually married to NBA player Sedale Threatt.
They tied the knot in 1996. At the time, Dre was already a legend, but he was transitioning away from the chaos of Death Row Records to start his own empire. Nicole was there for the whole ride. They have two biological children together: a son named Truice and a daughter named Truly. Dre also legally adopted Nicole’s son from her previous marriage, Tyler.
For 24 years, they were the "stable" couple in an industry known for revolving doors. They were frequently spotted at red carpets, and Nicole was often credited with being the grounding force that helped Dre focus on his business ventures. She wasn't just in the background; she was a fixture of his public identity.
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The Divorce That Shocked Everyone
In June 2020, Nicole filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences." Pretty standard, right? Wrong.
What followed was a legal cage match. Nicole challenged their prenuptial agreement, claiming she was forced to sign it and that Dre had later torn it up in a romantic gesture (which he vehemently denied). The court documents got dark. Nicole alleged that Dre had held a gun to her head and punched her in the face during their marriage. Dre denied every single one of those claims, calling them "blatant lies."
The financial demands were equally jaw-dropping. At one point, Nicole was requesting roughly $2 million per month in temporary spousal support. She broke down her expenses, including hundreds of thousands for clothes and entertainment. People on social media went wild, but when you're talking about a man worth roughly $800 million, the math gets weird.
The $100 Million Settlement
By late 2021, the dust finally started to settle. The final agreement? Dre agreed to pay Nicole $100 million.
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- Payment 1: $50 million upfront.
- Payment 2: $50 million a year later.
That sounds like a win for Nicole, but the fine print shows Dre actually kept most of the "toys." He walked away with their $100 million Brentwood estate, six of their luxury cars, and—most importantly—his full interest in Apple stocks and his master recordings.
Nicole kept four vehicles, her jewelry, and the cash she already had in her accounts. She also had to pay her own legal fees, which reportedly cost millions. To celebrate the finalization, Dre famously posed in front of "DIVORCED AF" balloons. It was a petty, very public way to close a chapter that had lasted nearly a quarter of a century.
Where is Nicole Young Now?
Since the divorce was finalized, Nicole has stayed mostly out of the spotlight. Unlike some other high-profile ex-wives, she hasn't jumped into the reality TV circuit or started a public revenge campaign. She basically took her $100 million and opted for privacy.
She's reportedly focusing on her children and maintaining the lifestyle she built over two decades. There have been rumors about her dating life, but nothing has been confirmed by her camp.
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Does Dr. Dre Have a New Wife?
As of early 2026, Dr. Dre is not married. He has been spotted with various women over the last few years, including a high-profile sighting with Apryl Jones (of Love & Hip Hop fame) back in 2021. However, he seems to be enjoying the "single billionaire" life for now.
He's been more focused on his health—especially after surviving a brain aneurysm in early 2021—and his massive philanthropic efforts, like the USC Iovine and Young Academy.
What You Should Know If You're Following This Story
If you're looking for the "truth" in celebrity news, always look at the court filings rather than the Instagram posts. The Nicole Young and Dr. Dre saga is a perfect example of how a 24-year marriage can be reduced to a series of legal arguments over assets and "he said, she said" allegations.
The biggest takeaway for anyone watching is the importance of a clear, uncontested prenup. Without it, you end up with a two-year legal war that costs more in lawyer fees than most people make in a lifetime.
If you want to keep up with how this split affected Dre's music or his upcoming business ventures, you should keep an eye on his official announcements rather than the tabloid rumors. The "mogul" version of Dre is still very much in control, even if his personal life hit a major speed bump.
Next Steps for You:
- Check the legal archives: If you're curious about the specific abuse allegations, the 2021 court declarations provide the most detail from both sides.
- Watch 'The Defiant Ones': This documentary gives a great look at Dre and Nicole’s life together before the split, showing just how intertwined they were.
- Follow the music: Dre often processes his life through his beats; listen closely to any unreleased or "Grand Theft Auto" tracks he's dropped lately for clues on his current mindset.