A broken marriage doesn’t mean a broken life—some women are turning divorce into a fresh start

Divorce, once considered a somber event, is often seen as a celebration of newfound freedom. Many people are marking this major life change by hosting divorce parties, turning the end of one chapter into the start of another.

Beth Levine, for example, recently organized a celebratory gathering with friends after filing for divorce.

The party, themed “Beth isn’t married anymore f–k yeah!” showcased her sense of joy and empowerment.

Beth, a 53-year-old executive assistant, married in 2014 but chose to end the relationship in less than two years, according to CNBC Make It.

Levine’s divorce stemmed from dramatic issues like infidelity, secret children, and immigration fraud, which deepened her unhappiness.

Though leaving was tough, it ultimately brought her a sense of freedom. To embrace her fresh start, Beth hosted a “divorce party,” celebrating the end of a difficult relationship and looking forward to a brighter future.

“Filing for divorce is an act of freedom,” she says. “Why should I not celebrate one of the bravest choices I’ve ever made for myself?”

Another woman who’s celebrating her divorce is Maja Proescholdt.

Shortly after her four-year marriage ended, Maja saw an Instagram post of a cake with the words “thank u, next,” referencing an Ariana Grande song.

The cake was from another woman’s divorce party, which inspired Maja, a travel blogger.

After managing the divorce paperwork herself for 18 months with no lawyers were involved, she finally hosted her own divorce party since, Toronto Star noted .

Maja described the event as one of the most memorable nights of her life.

“Because the process took so long, there were times I wondered if I’d ever actually be free. I’d already spent time mourning the loss of the relationship, the loss of the future I’d imagined, so by the time the paperwork was done, I was ready to party,” she said.

She added that the party was also about acknowledging that she had survived a terrible and difficult chapter of her life. Now that it was over, she looked forward to an amazing future.

She celebrated with a custom cake and fun signs like “Finally Divorced” and “Boy Bye,” featuring a middle-finger emoji.

Wearing a sash and crown labeled “Divorced,” she added a humorous touch to traditional bachelorette party gear.

Her friends joined in the fun, with one giving her a candle that read, “Smells like freshly signed divorce papers.”

Reflecting on the event, Maja said it was deeply meaningful.

She described one highlight as having the DJ announce, “Let’s hear it for Maja’s divorce party!” while she danced on a revolving floor, calling it one of the best moments of her life.

Jewelry is also increasingly used to mark a divorce. After her split from Sebastian Bear-McClard in 2023, Emily Ratajkowski decided to repurpose her engagement ring.

She worked with designer Alison Chemla Chetrit to create two new “divorce rings” from the original two-diamond, pear-and-princess-cut piece.

Emily told Vogue that this transformation represented her personal growth, stating, “I don’t think a woman should be stripped of her diamonds just because she’s losing a man.”

Inspired by her grandmother’s multi-marriage diamond ring, she saw jewelry as a reflection of the various stages in a woman’s life.

In 2022, the United States reported 673,989 divorces and annulments. This number contrasts with the 2,065,905 marriages that occurred that year, leading to a marriage rate of 6.2 per 1,000 people, Forbes noted.

Although marriages significantly outnumber divorces, these statistics provide valuable insights into the dynamics of marital dissolution and the reasons behind why couples decide to end their relationships.

On the other hand, while many believe half of all marriages end in divorce, the actual rate for first marriages is lower, at 43%.

Rates are higher for subsequent marriages, with 60% of second marriages and 73% of third marriages ending in divorce. On average, a marriage lasts about eight years before divorce.

The process can vary in length; contested divorces often take over a year, while uncontested ones might be settled in as few as three months.

Moreover, divorce can be costly, averaging around $7,000. Moreover, remarriage rates have decreased recently, with fewer people opting to marry again after a divorce.

Meanwhile, the American attitudes toward marriage and divorce have become more flexible. Pew Research Center reports that 55% of adults think people stay in unhappy marriages too long.

Moreover, marriage has become less essential to a fulfilling life, with only 23% of adults considering it crucial, compared to 71% who value a satisfying job or career more.

As divorce becomes seen as a normal life event, many are choosing positive ways to mark its end, such as divorce parties, often organized by women.

Relationship psychologists argue that divorce can be a liberating and empowering experience, challenging its traditional negative stigma.

These divorce parties can serve as a powerful statement, showing pride and optimism in the decision to move on.

For Beth Levine, her divorce party was a celebration of her new freedom and a way to thank the friends and family who supported her during a difficult period.

” I relied on my best friend to spread the vibe that I don’t want to talk about unpleasantries, and if you want to bring a gift that’s cool because I deserve some,” she said.

Although Beth has no plans to remarry, she remains enthusiastic about hosting another divorce party.

She finds the experience highly therapeutic. She sees it as a positive way to celebrate any future life changes.

Furthermore, Maja Proescholdt emphasizes that everyone handles divorce differently and at their own pace.

For those who are still grieving, she suggests that a “marriage funeral” might be more suitable than a celebratory party.

This option provides a more reflective and somber way to recognize the end of a relationship.

“It’s important to honor whatever feelings you may have,” she said.

Here’s TODAY’s Hoda and Jenna’s short interview on women hosted their divorce parties: