All Couples Can Learn a Lesson (Or Two) From Celebrity Prenups

Marriage should be fun. Prenups? Not fun—or so you think.

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade; Kyle Coole and Amanda Batula

Photos, left to right: Kevin Winter | Getty, Dimitrios Kambouris | Getty

Updated May 22, 2026

The subject of prenuptial agreements is always a hot topic, particularly in pop culture. Think about it: You can probably recall a few scenes from Love Is Blind or The Real Housewives where couples passionately discuss whether or not they should get a prenup. While experts agree that this form of legal documentation is something all to-be-weds should consider, the discourse surrounding celebrity prenups has occasionally amplified a negative stigma around this legal agreement—but the tides may be turning.

Thanks to increasingly candid exposure in pop culture and widespread access to more information, coupled with the average age of marriage falling at 32, experts say that prenups are becoming more normalized than ever before. So, what can real couples actually learn from Hollywood prenups? Believe it or not, there are a few major takeaways that can benefit your marriage and your financial health as a couple.

In this article:

The Top Lessons Couples Can Learn from Celebrity Prenups
Real Celebrity Prenup Agreements

The Top Lessons Couples Can Learn from Celebrity Prenups

Maybe you remember the heated conversations about prenups between Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula on Summer House. Or, perhaps you've seen recent headlines about former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay expressing her regret over not getting a prenup for her marriage to ex Bryan Abasolo. On the other hand, you might have read Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union's interviews praising their prenup. Conversations about this legal topic draw spirited opinions. And according to Julia Rodgers, CEO of HelloPrenup, all conversation helps to spread awareness of its actual meaning. "A prenup doesn't mean you're planning for failure," she says. "It means you're being intentional and thoughtful about the biggest partnership you will ever enter." Now, we give you permission to count your hours spent binge-watching reality TV as marriage prep—here's why.

Prenup Discourse Can Help Normalize Its Once-Negative Stigma

According to Montana Thomas, Director of Partnerships for LegalNature, a "perfect storm" of pop culture exposure and widespread access to more information has been transformative for the normalization of prenups. "Couples can now research prenups independently, understand what they actually entail, and walk into the conversation already educated rather than relying on outdated assumptions," he says. "At the same time, pop culture has played a huge role. When celebrities openly discuss their prenups, or when reality TV shows like The Bachelor franchise put these conversations in front of millions of viewers, it signals that this is a normal, mature thing couples do—not a signal of distrust." As a result, he says the ongoing discourse has helped shift this once-taboo topic into something that's viewed as a practical planning conversation that all couples should have before marriage, similar to the nature of budgeting or estate planning.

Prenups Are For Everyone, Not Just Public Figures or the Ultra-Wealthy

When it comes to celebrity prenups, it makes sense for high profile individuals to protect their assets—but they aren't the only ones who should consider doing so. Rodgers notes that every couple likely has assets worth protecting, especially considering the average age of marriage falls in the 30s. "By that age, most people have acquired something," she explains. "Maybe you have bought a home, started a business, built a retirement account, or maybe you are expecting an inheritance as part of the largest generational wealth transfer in history. But you also might be carrying student loans or other debt. A prenup addresses all of it—the assets and the liabilities—and allows you and your partner to make life planning decisions together."

So, while your portfolio might not resemble a pop star's or a tech tycoon's, that doesn't mean your financials aren't worth protecting with a prenup. Plus, Rodgers adds that seeing Hollywood prenup representation in pop culture can help bring awareness to couples who might not have even considered getting one in the first place. "High-profile weddings, like Jeff Bezos's and Kim Kardashian's, as well as shows like Love is Blind, have ushered prenups into everyday conversation," she says. "When people see these stories play out publicly, they start thinking, 'Maybe this applies to me too.'"

Prenups Don't Signal Lack of Trust—They Serve as Essential Financial Preparation

If the thought of bringing up a prenup conversation sparks anxiety, you aren't alone. It's not unsual to feel that asking for a prenup insinuates you're anticipating a sour turn in your relationship, but Thomas argues that couldn't be farther from the truth. "We always tell couples that a prenup isn't about planning for failure," he says. "It's about having an honest, adult conversation about money before you say 'I do'—and that conversation alone often strengthens a relationship."

Rodgers echoes this sentiment, suggesting that engaging in conversations about any financial topic, not just prenuptial agreements, can help set your relationship up for long-term success. "The process [of getting a prenup] forces you to talk about money in a way some couples never do before the wedding," she says. "Those conversations are incredibly valuable for a marriage, whether the prenup ever comes into play or not."

The sweet spot to start prenup proceedings is anywhere from three to six months before the wedding date, though amendments can always be made after through a postnuptial agreement. "The earlier you bring it up, the less pressure there is," Rodgers says. "Frame it as something you are building together:" Then, maintain an open dialogue on the subject throughout your engagement and into your marriage. "The first conversation might be uncomfortable, and that is okay," Rodgers continues. "Come back to it. Most couples find that once they start digging into the specifics, they are more aligned and energized about their shared future."

Ultimately, that sense of alignment is invaluable. "Getting a prenup forces you to have honest conversations about money, expectations and your future together," Rodgers says. "I can't tell you how many couples have told us that going through the HelloPrenup process actually made their relationship stronger—because for the first time, they were truly on the same page financially."

Real Celebrity Prenup Agreements

Curious to know more about celebrity prenups? Generally, most stars keep their legal proceedings out of the public eye, so you won't necessarily find explicit celebrity prenuptial agreement examples. That said, some duos have opened up about their decision to pursue legal financial protection. Below, read up on five real celebrity prenup agreements (including their takes why it's worth it).

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade

For Gabrielle Union, having a prenup was an absolute must before her wedding to NBA star Dwyane Wade. "The biggest difference between this and the last marriage will be a prenup—at my insistence," she told talk show host Arsenio Hall in February 2014. "It's the wave of the future, protecting your stuff." Wade spoke further about their decision in a 2023 interview with Vanity Fair, saying, "I signed a prenup too. [I told Gabrielle], 'You are a millionaire. You got money, you worked hard for yourself.' You've got insurance, don't you?"

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani

While singer Gwen Stefani didn't have a prenup for her marriage to Gavin Rossdale, she did put one in place ahead of her summer 2021 wedding to Blake Shelton. "They have been in prenup talks for a few months," a source told Us Weekly in November 2020. "The process has been extremely effortless."

Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom

If you've ever wondered whether the Kardashians favor prenups, the answer is yes. In an interview with E! News in 2011, Khloé Kardashian spoke about her choice to sign the document before her marriage to Lamar Odom. "Everybody needs a prenup! I don't care if you make $5 or $5 million, in this day and age... you never know. And when you have businesses together, like we do, you have to protect yourself. It doesn't mean you don't love them."

Stassi Schroeder and Beau Clark

Bravo alum Stassi Schroder, who appeared on Vanderpump Rules, did have a prenup in place before marrying Beau Clark, and she had nothing but positive things to say about the experience. "I feel like people look at [prenups] as like a dirty thing that we shouldn't talk about, but honestly, I feel like there is some romanticism to it," she told Page Six in February 2020. "Being able to be so close to someone that you're willing to have those uncomfortable conversations... it's brought me closer to Beau the more that we talk about it."

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux

According to Us Weekly, actress Jennifer Aniston signed an "ironclad" prenup before her wedding to Justin Theroux. A source told the outlet that, although the discussions were "long," Aniston's assets and Friends fortune were both protected in the agreement.