Reality television star Porsha Williams has filed for divorce from her husband, Simon Guobadia, 15 months after the couple tied the knot in a lavish double wedding.
The filing comes just days after reports circulated online about Guobadia’s citizen status, but a source told PEOPLE that the divorce is “unrelated to recent allegations involving Simon’s past.”
Last week, the Atlanta Black Star published a report claiming that Nigeria-born Guobadia, 59, has been repeatedly denied permanent residency in the U.S. due to a criminal record.
Guobadia announced last year that he is currently “happily retired.” Guobadia founded Simon & Company — now called Simcol Petroleum Limited Company — in 2007. The company supplies refined fuels in the southeast region of the U.S. Before founding Simcol, he worked as a CPA “focusing on accounting, audit, transactional tax consulting and software development for several global prestigious firms.” Guobadia holds a bachelor of arts degree in accounting from the University of District Columbia and, in the past, has owned several restaurants, including one named after himself, and has even produced movies.
Fans were saddened by the news, especially on the heels of Williams’ recent surprise announcement.
Earlier this month, Williams confirmed her return to Bravo’s reality series, Real Housewives of Atlanta, for season 16 as part of an overall scripted talent deal with NBCUniversal. Williams starred in seasons 5-13 before walking away from the show in September 2021.
“I’m incredibly thankful for the vision and faith NBCUniversal has put in me to be a larger part of their family,” she shared in a statement. “I’m looking forward to being back on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ and showing the world my new world!”
