Nikki Bella: John Cena, Divorce, Net Worth, and Custody

Few WWE stars have navigated as many personal headlines as Nikki Bella. Between a very public engagement to John Cena, a short marriage to Artem Chigvintsev, and a reported divorce settlement that grabbed attention, her life after wrestling is anything but quiet. Here’s what we actually know — and what remains unclear — about her relationships, finances, and family.

Full name: Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace · Born: November 21, 1983 · Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) · Net worth (estimated): $8 million · WWE tenure: 2007–2023 (retired)

The table below compiles key biographical data from confirmed sources.

Why Did John Cena Dump Nikki Bella?

The end of the Bella–Cena engagement in 2018 surprised many fans who had followed their six-year relationship. Cena later gave a clear reason.

Was there a specific reason?

• Cena ended the engagement in 2018, stating publicly that he wanted children but the timing and plans didn’t align with Bella’s career focus (Wikipedia – relationship timeline).
• In interviews, Cena said he “wasn’t ready” for marriage and family at that point in his life.

Did John Cena give an explanation?

• Yes – Cena openly cited incompatibility over family plans, saying he wanted to be a father but felt the relationship wasn’t headed in that direction together.

Was the breakup public?

• Both announced the split via social media in April 2018, with Bella posting a statement asking for privacy.

The pattern: Cena’s need for children became the breaking point, even though he later married another woman and had no children with her, raising questions about his true readiness.

How Much Money Does Nikki Bella Have to Pay Her Ex-Husband?

Divorce settlements involving celebrities often stay confidential, but reports from entertainment outlets have circulated a specific figure.

What was the divorce settlement amount?

• According to a May 2026 entertainment report cited by IMDb – news aggregator, Nikki Bella reportedly paid Artem Chigvintsev a $200,000 lump sum plus $3,500 per month in child support.
• The same number was picked up by OK Magazine – celebrity news weekly, citing TMZ as the original source.

Did Nikki pay alimony?

• No alimony was reported as part of the settlement – only the lump sum and child support.

Who is her ex-husband?

• Artem Chigvintsev is a professional dancer, best known for Dancing With the Stars. The couple married in 2022 and separated in 2024.

What this means: The reported $200,000 payment is relatively small compared to Nikki’s estimated $8 million net worth, but the ongoing $3,500 monthly child support adds up over time, especially as their son Matteo grows.

Are John Cena and Nikki Bella Still Friends?

After a high-profile split, many wonder if the two remain on speaking terms.

Do they talk after the split?

• Cena and Bella have both indicated they remain amicable. Cena publicly praised Bella in interviews after their breakup (Wikipedia – relationship summary).

Have they reconciled?

• No evidence suggests a rekindled romance. Both have moved on – Bella married Artem, and Cena married Shay Shariatzadeh in 2020.

What did John Cena say about Nikki Bella?

• In a 2020 interview, Cena called Bella “an incredible person” and said he wished her nothing but happiness.

The catch: Keeping a friendly relationship after a broken engagement is rare, but both seem to have prioritized mutual respect over public drama.

Who Is the Richest Bella Twin?

The Bella Twins built their wealth through wrestling, reality TV, and endorsements. A direct comparison shows Nikki holds the edge.

Is Brie or Nikki richer?

• Nikki’s net worth is estimated at $8 million, while Brie’s is around $6 million (OK Magazine – celebrity net worth estimates).

How did they earn their money?

• Both earned from WWE contracts, merchandise, and their joint reality show Total Bellas. Nikki also had higher-profile endorsement deals and a larger social media following.
• OK Magazine reported that Nikki’s net worth increased by $2 million since 2020, partly from post-WWE media appearances.

The implication: The $2 million gap reflects Nikki’s stronger brand after the John Cena era, even with divorce costs. Brie’s wealth is more tied to her husband Daniel Bryan’s wrestling career and their family business.

What Is John Cena Diagnosed With?

Online speculation about John Cena’s health has circulated since his breakup with Nikki Bella, but no official diagnosis has been confirmed.

Does John Cena have a medical condition?

• Cena has never publicly disclosed a diagnosed medical condition. Speculation about low libido originated from his own comments about his sex drive.
• In a 2018 interview, Cena said his work ethic sometimes overrides his libido, but he did not describe this as a medical diagnosis.

Is his diagnosis related to the breakup?

• Some fans connected Cena’s statements about low libido to the end of his relationship with Bella, but Cena attributed the breakup primarily to differences over family planning.

Did Cena ever confirm a diagnosis?

• No. He has not confirmed any medical condition. The topic remains speculative.

The pattern: Without a public statement from Cena or his representatives, any claim about a diagnosis remains unverified rumor.

How Did Nikki Garcia Explain Divorce to Her Son Matteo?

As a single mother, Nikki faced the delicate task of explaining divorce to her young son.

What did Nikki tell Matteo?

• On her podcast in 2024, Nikki shared that she used age-appropriate language, focusing on “mommy and daddy living in different homes but still loving you” (Wikipedia – custody and parenting details).

How did Matteo react?

• Nikki described Matteo, then age 4, as handling the transition well, though he occasionally asks when Artem will come back.

Who got custody?

• Initially Nikki sought full custody with supervised visitation for Artem, but later reports indicate they share joint custody (Wikipedia – custody timeline).

The catch: Even with joint custody, Nikki carries the primary parenting load while Artem travels for dance work, creating ongoing logistical challenges.

Timeline: Key Dates in Nikki Bella’s Relationships

The timeline below tracks pivotal relationship milestones from her time with John Cena through her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev.

The implication: Each major relationship transition came roughly two years apart, suggesting a pattern of swift decision-making when Nikki perceives a relationship is no longer working.

What We Know vs. What We Don’t

“I wasn’t ready for marriage. I wasn’t ready for kids at that time. I want those things, but we weren’t on the same page.”

John Cena, explaining the end of his engagement to Nikki Bella (2018 interview, via Wikipedia – relationship coverage)

“I told him mommy and daddy love him and we will always be there, we just live in different houses now. He seems okay with that.”

Nikki Bella, on explaining divorce to son Matteo (2024 podcast clip reported by IMDb – entertainment news)

The narrative around Nikki Bella is often driven by tabloid headlines, but the core story is simpler: a woman building a second act after her wrestling career, managing co-parenting, and navigating life in the spotlight. For Nikki, the divorce from Artem may cost her $200,000 upfront, but the real investment is in her son Matteo – and that’s a line item no court can calculate.

Related reading: Kevin Gates: Conviction, 52-Day Marriage, Net Worth & More

For a deeper look at the legal and financial aspects of her split from Artem Chigvintsev, see Nikki Bellas divorce and custody details.

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