Alabama governor's wife seeks divorce

Robert Bentley and his wife Dianne wave to supporters during inaugural ceremonies at the Alabama Capitol
Robert Bentley and his wife Dianne wave to supporters during inaugural ceremonies at the Alabama Capitol

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama's first lady on Friday filed for divorce from Gov. Robert Bentley, saying their 50-year marriage has suffered an "irretrievable breakdown."

A lawyer for Dianne Bentley, 72, wrote in the court filing that attempts at reconciliation would be futile and that the couple has been living apart since January.

"Plaintiff states that there is such a complete incompatibility of temperament that the parties can no longer live together. That there exists a conflict of personalities which destroys the legitimate aims of matrimony and all possibilities of reconciliation are futile," attorney L. Stephen Wright Jr. wrote.

The office for Robert Bentley, 72, didn't respond to an immediate request for comment.

photo Robert Bentley and his wife Dianne wave to supporters during inaugural ceremonies at the Alabama Capitol

The complaint was filed in Tuscaloosa, the couple's home for most of their marriage. Court documents said Dianne Bentley's lawyer intends to take the governor's deposition in November.

The filing listed her address as the couple's Tuscaloosa home and the governor's as the Governor's Mansion in Montgomery.

The couple met when Bentley, a dermatologist, was in first year of medical school. Bentleys have been married since 1965 and have four adult sons. They met during the governor's first year of medical school. In July, the couple marked their 50th wedding anniversary.

Robert Bentley was a state legislator when he launched what was a longshot bid for governor in 2010. Dianne Bentley often served as his driver, accompanying him around the state, during the early days of the initially underfunded campaign.

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