John McEnroe and Tatum O’Neal‘s whirlwind romance began in 1986, blending tennis and Hollywood glamor. However, beneath the surface, tensions simmered. Tatum, an Oscar-winning actress, felt stifled as a “tennis wife,” yearning to continue her acting career, while John wanted her to be a stay-at-home mom. Their differences led to a dramatic divorce in 1994. While they have joint custody of their three children—Kevin, Sean, and Emily—the two haven’t been seen together since the split. One might think that their first meeting after nearly three decades might be a poignant reunion, right? Tatum believes otherwise!

Speaking to Variety Magazine this month, O’Neal spoke about her journey, growing up as an actress. While discussing the tough parts of life, like dealing with her overdose and stroke back in May 2020, the actress opened up about getting back on her feet again, now looking forward to better days. One of those will be her son, Kevin’s upcoming wedding.

Kevin subtly announced the engagement to his fiancée, Fern Cozine, back in November 2023 on Instagram! Tatum couldn’t hold back her excitement for the pair as she commented, “This is so beautiful. Wow, Fern and my son. Oh, I can’t take it was so beautiful. Wow, stunning love you guys.”

If you didn’t know, Kevin is also a writer who opened up about the hardships of growing up under the shadow of his successful parents—a seven-time Grand Slam champion and an Oscar-winning actress. However, he’s looking forward to having them both at his wedding in June, and so is O’Neal, who claims she’s fine with seeing John McEnroe there. Noting during her interview, “The anger is gone.” Marking the first time being in the same space after being apart since 1994.

McEnroe and O’Neal’s romance kicked off in 1986, culminating in a beautiful wedding on August 1, 1986, at St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church in Oyster Bay, Long Island. Their eldest son, Kevin McEnroe, had been born just a few months prior, setting the stage for a life filled with promise. Initially, their relationship seemed like a perfect blend of tennis and Hollywood glamor, with Tatum drawn to John’s charm from the moment they met. However, beneath the surface, challenges began to emerge.

Tatum struggled with d— addiction, while John faced anger issues, creating a volatile dynamic. Despite these challenges, Tatum has spoken fondly of John, highlighting the love and care she received during their time together.

John McEnroe’s ex-wife gets nostalgic about their marriage

O’Neal has been quite candid about her past, especially regarding her tumultuous relationship with tennis legend John McEnroe. She’s expressed regret over their split, acknowledging that he was a significant figure in her life during their eight-year marriage.

In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning in 2020, she shared, “The happiest times of my life were the times that I was married. Sometimes we think we’re making the right decision and maybe we aren’t. And I have to live with that, too.”

When asked if ending her marriage was the right decision, she candidly replied, “Perhaps not. I was loved, I was cared for… That’s it, that’s what one wants, isn’t it, in a marriage? I’ve never met anyone who even comes close to my ex-husband.” She expressed her happiness for him, now married to singer Patty Smyth since 1997, saying, “He’s happier, and I’m happy for him. And that makes me happy.”

Nonetheless, Tatum has focused on rebuilding her life, optimistic about the future. She believes, “the best years are still ahead of me,” as she continues to work on her personal growth and recovery. And with her son Kevin’s upcoming wedding on the horizon, Tatum is looking forward to celebrating with her family, including John, marking a new chapter in their co-parenting journey.