Michael Strahan and his second ex-wife, Jean Muggli, share a complicated history
that stretches back to their tumultuous marriage and the bitter divorce that followed.
Their relationship, which lasted from 1999 to 2006, was marked by a series of contentious battles, both in and out of the courtroom.
The former NFL star and *Good Morning America* host and Muggli, the mother of his twin daughters Isabella
and Sophia, fought for years over custody arrangements and financial matters.
The public nature of their dispute made it a painful chapter in both of their lives, but it seems that time has allowed them to find common ground, particularly when it comes to their children.
Despite the acrimonious split, there is one surprising detail about their relationship that still persists—Jean Muggli has kept Strahan’s last name on social media. Nine years after their divorce, Muggli continues to use “Jean Muggli Strahan” on Instagram, a move that has caught the attention of fans over the years. While Jean has not publicly addressed why she keeps the last name, it seems that her decision may stem from an evolving relationship with her ex-husband. Their bond has improved over time, especially as they navigated their daughter’s health challenges together.
In 2023, Michael and Jean were united in their support for their daughter Isabella, who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer. The news hit the family hard, and it brought Michael and Jean closer together, as they both rallied around Isabella during her fight. In interviews about Isabella’s battle with cancer, both Michael and Jean have spoken about their daughter’s strength and resilience. Jean, in an interview with *People*, praised Isabella for her grace throughout her ordeal, noting, “The way she handled every day with grace was amazing.” Michael echoed her sentiment, recalling the heart-wrenching moment when Isabella said to him, “Dad, I’ll do whatever. I want to live.”
Despite their rocky past, their shared focus on Isabella’s health and well-being has clearly helped heal some of the wounds left by their earlier years. Isabella, who has courageously documented much of her journey through a YouTube series to raise funds for her treatment, will share even more of her story in an upcoming ABC special, *Life Interrupted: Isabella Strahan’s Fight Against Cancer*. The special will air on February 5 at 10 p.m. EST and promises to shed light on the family’s experience with illness and recovery.
Their co-parenting dynamic, though born out of a difficult divorce, has allowed their daughters, Isabella and Sophia, to maintain close relationships with both their mother and father. In spite of the bitterness during the divorce proceedings—during which Jean was awarded over $15 million and $18,000 a month in child support—the two daughters seem to have weathered the storm, staying connected to both parents in the years since. Michael Strahan has spoken candidly about how tough his second marriage and subsequent divorce were, calling it “probably one of the toughest things I’ve ever gone through.” However, he has acknowledged that he learned valuable lessons from the experience and is grateful for his two incredible teenage daughters.
Despite the past, Strahan maintains a strong bond with his ex-wives. He has often spoken about his amicable relationship with his first wife, Wanda Hutchins, with whom he shares two older children, and continues to be involved in his children’s lives in meaningful ways. Strahan has been in a long-term relationship with Kayla Quick, and he remains committed to being a supportive and involved father.
Jean Muggli, on the other hand, has chosen to live a quieter life away from the spotlight. She did participate in an on-camera interview for Isabella’s special, but overall, she keeps a low profile, preferring to focus on her family. The fact that she continues to use Michael’s last name could be a symbol of their shared history and mutual respect for the daughters they both cherish.
The journey from a bitter divorce to a more peaceful, cooperative co-parenting arrangement highlights the importance of putting aside personal differences for the sake of children. While Michael and Jean’s divorce was one of the most publicized and contentious in the celebrity world, their ability to come together in support of Isabella’s health is a testament to the power of healing and forgiveness.
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