Pete Wentz. If you grew up in the mid-2000s, the name probably conjures up images of eyeliner, sideswept bangs, and the bass-heavy anthems of Fall Out Boy. But for a specific pocket of pop culture history, he was better known as Ashlee Simpson’s ex-husband.
They were the "it" couple of the emo-pop crossover era. It was 2008. Ashlee was the edgy younger sister of Jessica Simpson, and Pete was the lyricist for the biggest band in the world. When they got married, it felt like two massive fandoms collided. Then, almost as quickly as it started, it ended.
Honestly, the fallout was messy behind the scenes, even if they tried to keep it classy for the cameras. People still wonder what actually went wrong. Was it the fame? The age gap? The fact that they were basically kids themselves when they had their son, Bronx? It was probably all of the above.
The Whirlwind Marriage to Ashlee Simpson’s Ex-Husband
Let’s look at the timeline. They started dating in 2006. By April 2008, they were engaged. By May 2008, they were married. Two weeks after the wedding? They confirmed they were expecting.
It was fast. Really fast.
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They tied the knot at Ashlee’s parents’ house in Encino. Joe Simpson officiated. It was a whole thing. For a minute there, Ashlee even changed her professional name to Ashlee Simpson-Wentz. She was leaning all the way in. But the reality of being married to a rock star who is constantly on the road is a lot different than the fantasy.
By 2011, Ashlee filed for divorce. She cited "irreconcilable differences," which is the standard Hollywood line. But later reports and interviews with Pete suggest it was way deeper than just not getting along.
Why the Marriage Collapsed
Pete has been surprisingly open about this in recent years. In a 2015 interview with Howard Stern, he admitted that he didn’t see the split coming. He thought they were "forever."
But there was a perfect storm of problems:
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- The Fall Out Boy Hiatus: Right as the marriage was getting heavy, Fall Out Boy went on a break. Pete went from being a global superstar to being "Mr. Mom" in a flannel shirt. He told Stern he lost his identity. When you don't know who you are, it's hard to be a good partner.
- Mental Health Struggles: Pete has been vocal about his bipolar disorder. During the split, he admitted to a prescription drug addiction (specifically Xanax and Klonopin) to deal with the anxiety and the feeling that his life was "exploding."
- Age: Ashlee was 23 when they married. Pete was 28. In Hollywood years, that’s young. In real-world years, it’s still pretty young to be navigating a global spotlight and a newborn.
There were also rumors about Ashlee’s "partying," though Pete eventually chalked a lot of the friction up to his own insecurities and the "bomb" that went off in his life when the band stopped touring.
Life After the Split: The Pete Wentz Evolution
If you haven't kept up with Ashlee Simpson’s ex-husband lately, he’s actually doing great. He didn’t stay the "sad emo guy" forever.
He’s been in a long-term relationship with Meagan Camper since 2011. They have two kids together, Saint and Marvel. Interestingly, he’s been much more private about this relationship. He told People that he didn't want to do the "magazine wedding" thing again. He learned his lesson about the spotlight.
Fall Out Boy also had one of the most successful comebacks in rock history. They didn't just fade away into a nostalgia act. They're still headlining stadiums. Pete is still the primary lyricist, but he’s trading the angst for a more "dad-rock" stability.
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The Co-Parenting Gold Standard
This is the part that actually matters. Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz are actually... friends?
It sounds fake, but they’ve worked hard at it. Ashlee is now married to Evan Ross (son of Diana Ross), and by all accounts, Pete and Evan get along famously. They do the blended family thing for Bronx, who is now a teenager.
Pete once told Nylon that his life felt like a bomb went off after the divorce. But he also said he had to "atrophy" his old life to build a new one. It’s a rare case of a Hollywood divorce that didn’t end in a decade-long tabloid war.
What You Can Learn from Their Story
If you’re looking at the history of Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson, there are a few takeaways that actually apply to non-famous people:
- Identity matters: If you tie your entire self-worth to your job (like Pete did with the band), your personal life will crumble when that job changes.
- Communication during transitions: Most of their issues peaked when the "routine" of their lives changed.
- The "Kids First" Rule: They both clearly decided that Bronx’s stability was more important than their grievances.
Next Steps for You
If you're navigating a complex co-parenting situation or a major life transition like Pete did, start by identifying your "identity anchors" outside of your partner or career. Pete had to find himself as a father and an individual before he could successfully return to music or a healthy relationship. Focus on building a routine that prioritizes your mental health—whether that's through professional help or simply stepping out of the "spotlight" of your own stressors.