Zac Brown is a country music star known for his chart-topping hits and sold-out shows. Kelly Yazdi is a model, actress, and entrepreneur with her own women’s motorsports brand.
Their brief 2023 marriage ended in a very public divorce that grabbed headlines fast.
In this blog, you’ll learn about Zac Brown’s first marriage to Shelly Brown, how Kelly Yazdi entered his life, the quick timeline of their divorce, what both sides said publicly, and why this story became one of the most searched topics in country music news.
Who Was Zac Brown’s Ex-Wife?
Zac Brown’s ex-wife is Shelly Brown. The country music star married Shelly in 2006, and they spent about 12 years together before announcing their separation in 2018.
The couple shares five children and handled their split with respect and kindness, keeping things private and calm.
Though Zac later briefly married Kelly Yazdi, Shelly remains his first and longest marriage, making her the most recognized ex-wife in his life.
Marriage Timeline With Shelly Brown
Here’s a clear look at Zac Brown’s first marriage to Shelly Brown.
| Year | Key Event |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Zac and Shelly marry and begin their life together. |
| 2006–2017 | The couple builds their family and careers while raising five children. |
| 2018 | A public separation announcement is made after 12 years of marriage. |
| 2018–2019 | Divorce is finalized with mutual respect and privacy. |
Shelly has not publicly responded to Zac’s later relationships or any recent developments. She has chosen to keep her focus on family and personal matters away from the spotlight.
How Kelly Yazdi Entered the Picture
After his split from Shelly Brown, Zac Brown eventually found a new relationship that would take a very different turn.
Who is Kelly Yazdi?
- Kelly Yazdi is a model, actress, and entrepreneur. She started a women’s motor-sports brand and built a career in entertainment and business.
- She worked for Zac Brown’s company. This is how the two first met, mixing work with what would become a personal relationship.
Engagement and Marriage
- They got engaged in 2022. After dating, the couple decided to take the next step and announced their engagement.
- They married in August 2023 in Georgia. The wedding took place in Zac’s home state, with friends and family in attendance.
- The marriage lasted only four months. By December 2023, the couple announced they were separating and heading toward divorce.
The Divorce: Timeline & Key Events
Here is a clear breakdown of the divorce involving Zac Brown and Kelly Yazdi.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 2023 | Zac Brown marries Kelly Yazdi in Georgia. The wedding was hopeful and well attended. |
| Dec 2023 | They announced they are in the process of a divorce. The marriage lasted only four months. |
| May 2024 | Public legal actions begin. A restraining order was filed, and claims of NDA violations surfaced. |
| Aug 2025 | Court rules parts of the confidentiality agreement unenforceable. The case continues with future trial dates set. |
The Zac Brown divorce made headlines because the separation escalated quickly and involved legal disputes. Accusations of emotional control and defamation made the story more complex and public.
Public Statements From Zac Brown and Kelly Yazdi
When covering the zac brown divorce, it’s important to share exactly what each person has publicly said. Below are the confirmed statements issued by Zac Brown and Kelly Yazdi.
Zac Brown’s Official Statement
Zac Brown released a formal message addressing why he sought legal protection during the divorce process. His statement focused on privacy and the well-being of his family.
Here’s what he said:
“After much deliberation, I took the steps necessary to enforce an agreement between us to maintain personal and business affairs in confidence and to protect my family from online harassment and speculation. My only hope is for us to keep private matters private and to move forward with the mutual respect we had agreed to show one another when we parted ways.”
Kelly Yazdi’s Response to Zac Brown’s Legal Actions
Kelly Yazdi shared a lengthy, passionate statement after Zac Brown sought legal action against her online posts. Her response centered on her right to speak, create, and express herself.
Here’s what she said:
“No one — not even Zac Brown with all of his money, power, celebrity, and lawyers — may silence my right to freely express myself through art or, although I have to date declined to do so publicly, to speak about the circumstances of our pending divorce. I intend to respond swiftly and robustly to his meritless complaint that publication of two poems on my personal social media account divulged any ‘confidential information’ about his business, much less authorizes a court to enjoin me from speaking about matters in my personal life that have nothing to do with my brief former work for the Zac Brown Collective, Inc.”
Kelly Yazdi’s Follow-Up Comment After Court Ruling
When the court ruled that parts of the confidentiality agreement were unenforceable, Kelly Yazdi shared a direct follow-up reaction.
Here’s what she said:
“The judge made it very clear: celebrities do not get special treatment, and they are not above the law. Zac Brown is now 0 for 3: TRO against me? Denied. Preliminary injunction? Withdrawn. His contracts? Unenforceable as written.”
How do These Statements Shape the Story?
These public comments help explain the heart of the dispute between the two.
Zac Brown’s position:
- He wants privacy for himself and his family
- He believes legal agreements were broken
- He aimed to protect his children from speculation
Kelly Yazdi’s position:
- She believes she was unfairly targeted
- She argues her artistic posts are protected speech
- She wants to share her experience openly
Together, these statements explain why the zac brown divorce has remained one of the most talked-about stories in country music news.
What About Zac Brown’s First Marriage?
Although the focus often shifts to Kelly Yazdi, many fans looking for zac brown ex-wife want to know about Shelly Brown and that marriage.
The marriage to Shelly ended amicably by all public indications, with both handling the split with respect and maturity.
Their co-parenting relationship appears stable and low-drama compared to the more recent divorce, and Shelly has stayed out of the public eye throughout the legal battles between Zac and Kelly.
She has made no major public statements about the situation, choosing instead to focus on family and move forward quietly.
Why Did the Divorce Draw So Much Attention?
The split between Zac Brown and Kelly Yazdi wasn’t just another celebrity breakup; it became a major news story for several reasons.
- Short duration: The marriage lasted only four months, which is notably brief for a public figure like Zac Brown.
- Legal complexity: The conflict centered on NDAs, social media posts, and alleged emotional issues, making the case more than a simple split.
- Public interest: Both stars are well known, and the story combines elements of work, marriage, business, and social media.
Conclusion
The story of Zac Brown’s relationships shows that even public figures face real, complicated personal struggles.
His first marriage to Shelly Brown ended quietly and respectfully after 12 years and five children.
His second marriage to Kelly Yazdi lasted only four months but became a legal battle involving NDAs, social media posts, and public statements.
The Zac Brown divorce remains a developing story, with ongoing court cases and strong opinions on both sides.
If you found this breakdown helpful, share it with other country music fans or drop a comment below with your thoughts on how celebrity divorces should be handled.
