Actress Halle Berry is currently involved in a legal dispute regarding custody of her teenage son, Maceo Robert Martinez, amid allegations and counter-allegations between Berry and her former partner Gabriel Aubry and ex-husband Olivier Martinez. The ongoing contentious battle echoes Berry’s previous high-profile custody struggles and relationship difficulties.
Berry, 60, and Martinez, whom she married in 2013, share custody of Maceo, now a teenager. The couple separated within two years of their son’s birth, but their divorce was only finalized in August 2023 after an eight-year process. Martinez was granted temporary custody of Maceo, while Berry retains tie-breaking authority on major decisions and physical custody for overnight visits. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge recently authorized Maceo to testify in the ongoing proceedings.
The dispute intensified after Martinez accused Berry of physical abuse, alleging she choked Maceo following an argument. Martinez also claimed he was verbally insulted by Berry during the incident. Berry has denied these allegations, with her legal filings attributing Maceo’s recent behavioral issues at school to Martinez’s influence. She is seeking sole legal custody and authority over key decisions concerning their son’s education, healthcare, and mental health, requesting that if decisions remain unresolved after 72 hours, she be granted final say.
Publicly, Berry’s daughter Nahla Aubry, 18, from a previous relationship with model Gabriel Aubry, has defended her mother in court declarations, rejecting the abuse claims. Nahla described Berry as a devoted and loving parent who enforces rules and expects respect, emphasizing she has never witnessed any physical abuse toward Maceo.
Berry’s custody battles follow a turbulent history that includes prior conflicts with Gabriel Aubry, her former partner and father of Nahla. In 2012, Aubry and Martinez were involved in a physical altercation outside Berry’s home, resulting in injuries to both men and temporary restraining orders. Legal proceedings stemming from their co-parenting arrangements have involved significant child support obligations and disputes over Nahla’s upbringing, including accusations from Berry that Aubry altered their daughter’s natural hair—a claim Aubry denied.
Berry has been married three times: to former baseball player David Justice, singer-songwriter Eric Benét, and Olivier Martinez. She also maintained a high-profile relationship with Aubry before and after their 2008 split. Throughout her personal challenges, Berry continues to work professionally. She is attached to the adaptation of the novel “The President Is Missing” for Apple Original Films and promotes her wellness platform, Resping, focusing on women’s health and menopause.
Recently, Berry listed her Los Angeles home for nearly $12 million, reportedly following renewed tensions stemming from the legal disputes involving Aubry and Martinez. In public appearances, Berry has expressed a focus on empowerment and aging gracefully, reflecting on her personal growth at age 60.
Her attorney and representatives have declined to comment on the current custody proceedings. The parties are scheduled to return to court later this month as the legal battle over Maceo’s custody continues.