'There exists a conflict of personalities which destroys the legitimate aims of matrimony': Alabama governor's wife files for divorce after 50 years of marriage

  • Alabama's first lady, Dianne Bentley, has filed for divorce from Gov Robert Bentley
  • The complaint, filed on Friday, says that attempts at reconciliation are futile
  • The couple, who married in 1965, have been living apart since January
  • Dianne Bentley is asking for a fair and equitable division of the couple's personal property and alimony, among other requests
  • Proceedings could prove embarrassing for Bentley, who argued against gay marriage because heterosexual unions like his give more 'stability' 

By Kelly Mclaughlin For Dailymail.com and Associated Press

Published: | Updated:

Alabama's first lady has filed for divorce from Gov Robert Bentley, saying their 50-year marriage has suffered an 'irretrievable breakdown'.

The complaint, filed on Friday, says that attempts at reconciliation are futile and that the couple has been living apart since January.

A lawyer for Alabama first lady Dianne Bentley wrote that her client says 'there is such a complete incompatibility of temperament that the parties can no longer live together'. 

Separated: Alabama first lady Dianne Bentley has filed for a divorce from her husband of 50 years, Gov Robert Bentley

Separated: Alabama first lady Dianne Bentley has filed for a divorce from her husband of 50 years, Gov Robert Bentley

Long marriage: The couple met when Gov Bentley was in his first year of medical school. They were married on July 24, 1965

Long marriage: The couple met when Gov Bentley was in his first year of medical school. They were married on July 24, 1965

The complaint says the couple's personalities conflict.

'There exists a conflict of personalities which destroys the legitimate aims of matrimony and all possibilities of reconciliation are futile,' the complaint said.

Divorce proceedings will be particularly embarrassing for Bentley, who argued staunchly against legalizing gay marriage because heterosexual unions are more 'stable'.

In statements made before the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage the law of the land, Bentley said: 'Alabamians should work together to protect traditional marriage.

'The two-parent family provides the best environment of stability, discipline, responsibility, and character.' 

The Bentleys have been married since 1965 and have four adult sons and eight grandchildren. In July, the couple marked their 50th wedding anniversary.

The office for the 72-year-old Robert Bentley didn't respond to an immediate request for comment.

The complaint was filed in Tuscaloosa, the city the couple called home for most of their marriage.

Dianne Bentley is asking for a fair and equitable division of the couple's personal property, for alimony, for sole title to the property they own and for Gov Bentley to pay debts they've acquired during their marriage and her attorney costs, according to FOX 6. 

The couple met when Gov Bentley was in his first year of medical school, and have been married since July 24, 1965. 

Gov Bentley served two terms in the Alabama House of Representatives before running for governor. 

'Irretrievable breakdown': Dianne Bentley said in a complaint that attempts at reconciliation are futile and that the couple has been living apart since January

'Irretrievable breakdown': Dianne Bentley said in a complaint that attempts at reconciliation are futile and that the couple has been living apart since January

He also serves as a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, where he and Dianne Bentley teach Sunday School. 

Representatives were split on how they believe the divorce with affect Gov Bentley's position and leadership. 

Representative John Rogers (D-Birmingham) said his credibility was damaged over the budget and will be further damaged by the divorce. 

Representative Jack Williams (R-Vestavia), however, said he feels sympathetic and doesn't believe the divorce will impact his leadership. 

Speaker Mike Hubbard said in a statement that Gov Bentley and Dianne Bentley are in 'our thoughts and prayers during what must obviously be a difficult time'.  

'A marriage lasting five decades should be looked at with deep pride and a strong sense of accomplishment regardless of its ultimate outcome, and I know the citizens of our state are grateful for the personal sacrifices both of them have made during their years of public service,' he said.   

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