Bettijo Hirschi: Todd Bridges Files for Divorce in 2026

Todd Bridges Files for Divorce from Bettijo Hirschi: Everything We Know

Just days ago, on March 31, 2026, Diff'rent Strokes star Todd Bridges made headlines when he officially filed for divorce from wife Bettijo B. Hirschi in Maricopa County, Arizona — roughly three months after the couple publicly announced their separation in January 2026. The filing has reignited public interest in Bettijo Hirschi, a photographer and designer who stepped into the spotlight after marrying the beloved TV actor in 2022. Here's a comprehensive look at who Bettijo Hirschi is, the story of her relationship with Bridges, and the details surrounding their divorce.

Who Is Bettijo Hirschi?

Bettijo B. Hirschi is a creative professional working as a photographer and designer. While she was largely unknown to mainstream audiences before her relationship with Todd Bridges, she built a career centered on visual arts and design work. Hirschi is also a mother of four children from a previous relationship, making her an experienced parent long before she entered the public eye.

Her personality and background drew attention when she appeared on The Tamron Hall Show in December 2024, where she and Bridges discussed the unconventional way they first connected — through a mutual friend via a dating app. That appearance gave audiences a closer look at the woman who had captured the heart of one of television's most recognizable child stars.

Hirschi and Bridges also collaborated professionally during their marriage, co-hosting the DANG! podcast together, which blended their personal and professional lives in a way that seemed to reflect a genuinely close partnership.

How Todd Bridges and Bettijo Hirschi Met and Married

The love story between Todd Bridges and Bettijo Hirschi began in January 2022, when the two were introduced through a mutual friend on a dating app. Their connection was apparently swift and strong — within six months, Bridges had proposed in July 2022, and the couple exchanged vows in September 2022, just nine months after their first introduction.

The quick timeline surprised some fans, but Bridges spoke warmly about Hirschi in multiple interviews, describing her as someone who brought stability and joy into his life. Their public appearances and joint podcast project suggested a couple deeply invested in building something together, both personally and creatively.

For Bridges, this was his second marriage. He was previously married to Dori Smith from 1998 to 2012, a union that produced two children: daughter Bo (now 29) and son Spencir (now 28). Hirschi brought her own family dynamic to the relationship with her four children from a prior relationship.

The Separation Announcement and Path to Divorce

In January 2026, Todd Bridges issued a statement to PEOPLE magazine confirming that he and Bettijo Hirschi had separated. The announcement was measured and respectful, offering little in the way of dramatic explanation but making clear that the couple had parted ways after roughly three years of marriage.

Then, on March 31, 2026, Bridges took the legal step of filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Without Minor Children in Maricopa County, Arizona. According to Yahoo Entertainment, Bridges cited the marriage as "irretrievably broken" — a standard legal phrase used in no-fault divorce filings that signals both parties recognize the marriage cannot be saved.

What stands out about this divorce is how amicable and straightforward the proceedings appear to be. As reported by US Magazine, the couple have no community property to divide, no shared debt, and neither party is requesting spousal support. Both Bridges and Hirschi are representing themselves — meaning no attorneys are involved — and all terms were reportedly settled in a mutual agreement reached outside of court.

Key Details of the Divorce Filing

• Filing date: March 31, 2026
• Court: Maricopa County, Arizona
• Type of petition: Dissolution of Marriage Without Minor Children
• Reason cited: Marriage "irretrievably broken"
• Community property: None
• Shared debt: None
• Spousal support: Neither party requesting
• Legal representation: Both parties self-represented
• Settlement: Mutual agreement reached outside of court

The clean and uncomplicated nature of the split is notable, particularly for a celebrity divorce. There are no contested assets, no custody disputes (their children are all adults or from prior relationships), and no financial entanglements requiring litigation. It paints a picture of two people who, despite the end of their romantic relationship, have managed to part with mutual respect.

Todd Bridges: A Career and Life in the Spotlight

To understand why Bettijo Hirschi has become a trending topic, it helps to appreciate the cultural weight Todd Bridges carries. He rose to fame as Willis Jackson on the iconic NBC sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, which aired from 1978 to 1986. The show, which also starred Gary Coleman and Dana Plato, became a touchstone of American pop culture and made its young cast into household names.

Like many child stars, Bridges faced significant personal struggles in the years that followed, including legal troubles and substance abuse issues that he has spoken about candidly in interviews and in his memoir. His resilience and recovery became an inspiration to many, and in recent years he has worked to rebuild his public image and career on his own terms — including through the DANG! podcast he launched with Hirschi.

At the time of the divorce filing, Bridges is in his 50s and navigating a second chapter of his life, both professionally and personally. His willingness to move through the divorce process without drama or public acrimony reflects a maturity that his longtime fans will likely appreciate.

The DANG! Podcast and Their Professional Collaboration

One of the more interesting dimensions of the Bridges-Hirschi relationship was their professional overlap. The couple co-hosted the DANG! podcast, a project that brought them together not just as spouses but as creative collaborators. Podcasting has become a popular medium for celebrities looking to connect directly with their audiences, and the DANG! podcast represented Bridges' foray into that space alongside his then-wife.

With their separation and now divorce, the future of the podcast remains an open question. Whether the show continues, pivots, or winds down entirely will likely depend on how the two navigate their post-marriage relationship and professional dynamic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bettijo Hirschi

Who is Bettijo Hirschi?

Bettijo B. Hirschi is a photographer and designer who became publicly known through her marriage to Diff'rent Strokes actor Todd Bridges. She has four children from a previous relationship and co-hosted the DANG! podcast with Bridges during their marriage.

When did Todd Bridges and Bettijo Hirschi get married?

Todd Bridges and Bettijo Hirschi married in September 2022, approximately nine months after meeting through a mutual friend via a dating app in January 2022. Bridges proposed in July 2022.

Why did Todd Bridges file for divorce from Bettijo Hirschi?

In his divorce petition filed on March 31, 2026, Bridges cited the marriage as "irretrievably broken." No specific cause was publicly detailed beyond this standard legal language. The couple had announced their separation in January 2026.

Is Bettijo Hirschi requesting alimony or spousal support?

No. According to the divorce filing, neither Todd Bridges nor Bettijo Hirschi is requesting spousal support. The couple also share no community property or debt, and reached a mutual settlement outside of court.

How long were Todd Bridges and Bettijo Hirschi married?

Bridges and Hirschi were married for approximately three and a half years, from September 2022 until their separation in January 2026 and subsequent divorce filing in March 2026.

Conclusion

Bettijo Hirschi is trending right now because the legal chapter of her split from Todd Bridges has officially begun, just days after the March 31, 2026 divorce filing in Arizona. While the end of any marriage carries weight, this particular split stands out for its civility — no lawyers, no contested property, no acrimony. Both Bridges and Hirschi appear to be handling the dissolution with grace and mutual agreement.

For fans of Todd Bridges who have followed his journey from child stardom to personal recovery and beyond, this divorce marks yet another turning point in a life that has never been short on drama or resilience. As for Bettijo Hirschi, the photographer and designer steps back from the public eye having left her own mark on one of TV history's most enduring stories. For the full details on the divorce filing, see the original reporting from Yahoo Entertainment and US Magazine.