The tumultuous 23-year marriage of former Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC) star Braunwyn Windham-Burke and entrepreneur Sean Burke has officially concluded, but the drama is far from over. As of late 2025, the couple's divorce has been finalized, marking the end of their highly publicized "open marriage" and a new beginning for both parties. However, the finalization has been overshadowed by a brutal custody battle, shocking allegations of child abuse, and Braunwyn’s very public planning for her eighth child with new fiancée, Jennifer Spinner. The story of Braunwyn and Sean—often mistakenly searched as "Braunwyn and Todd" due to the initial media frenzy over their unconventional arrangement—is a complex saga of sobriety, sexuality, and messy co-parenting.
The latest updates, including explosive court documents and new engagement plans, reveal a family in crisis despite the legal separation. The former reality star, who came out as a lesbian while still married to Sean, is now focused on her future, but the past—and the seven children they share—continues to generate headlines. This deep dive uncovers the most recent, crucial details of their separation, the explosive custody fight, and what the future holds for the Burke family.
Braunwyn and Sean Burke: A Complete Biographical Profile and Timeline
The relationship between Braunwyn Windham-Burke and Sean Burke was one of the most unconventional in reality television history, characterized by a long marriage, a large family, and a highly publicized open relationship.
Braunwyn Windham-Burke (Ex-Wife)
- Full Name: Braunwyn Windham-Burke
- Born: November 11, 1977
- Age (as of late 2025): 48
- Occupation: Reality Television Personality (Former RHOC Cast Member), Author, Activist (Sobriety and LGBTQ+), Public Speaker
- Hometown: Laguna Beach, California
- Key Public Struggles: Alcoholism (Sober since 2020), Coming Out as a Lesbian (2020)
- Current Relationship Status: Engaged to Jennifer Spinner (since July 2023)
Sean Burke (Ex-Husband)
- Full Name: Sean Burke
- Occupation: Businessman, Entrepreneur, Tech Executive
- Known Role: President of Channelstars, a tech collaboration center in Newport Beach
- Net Worth (Estimated): $4 Million
- Key Public Role: Known for his supportive role in Braunwyn's sobriety and open marriage on RHOC.
- Current Relationship Status: Reportedly dating, but maintains privacy regarding his personal life post-divorce.
The Seven Children
Braunwyn and Sean share seven children, which has made their divorce and co-parenting arrangement particularly challenging.
- Bella (Born c. 2003)
- Rowan (Born c. 2005)
- Jacob (Born c. 2008)
- Caden (Twin, Born c. 2016)
- Curren (Twin, Born c. 2016)
- Koa (Born c. 2018)
- Hazel (Born c. 2020)
The Shocking Finalization of the Divorce and Custody Battle
The legal separation between Braunwyn and Sean, which began in October 2021 when Braunwyn filed for divorce, was finally concluded in a recent court ruling. The process was protracted and became increasingly acrimonious, moving far beyond a simple division of assets to a deeply personal and public custody dispute.
Allegations of Child Abuse and Parental Alienation
The most explosive development in the final stages of the divorce proceedings came from Sean Burke's camp. In court documents filed in early 2025, Sean alleged that Braunwyn had engaged in the abuse of one of their children, specifically mentioning their autistic child. This is a severe accusation that has drastically altered the public perception of the co-parenting dynamic.
- Sean's Stance: Sean Burke has reportedly sought sole physical custody of the children, citing these allegations and other concerns about Braunwyn's ability to care for their large family, especially in light of her past struggles with alcoholism.
- Children Speak Out: The family drama went public when two of their older children, Rowan Windham-Burke and Jacob Windham-Burke, publicly criticized their mother, with some reports stating they called her an "abuser, liar, and manipulator." This public denouncement by her own children has been a devastating blow to Braunwyn's public image.
- Custody Outcome: While the divorce is finalized, the custody arrangement remains a point of intense focus. Braunwyn initially requested shared legal custody and sole physical custody, but the final ruling is centered around the serious allegations and the children's expressed wishes.
The entire situation highlights the immense difficulty of dissolving a long-term marriage with seven children, especially when issues like sobriety, open relationships, and new partners are involved. The legal battle has become a cautionary tale about the complexities of a highly public, non-traditional family structure.
Braunwyn’s New Chapter: Engagement, Baby Plans, and Jennifer Spinner
Despite the ongoing turmoil with her ex-husband, Braunwyn Windham-Burke has moved forward with her personal life, finding stability and love with her fiancée, Jennifer Spinner. The couple's relationship has been highly visible on social media and in the press, providing a stark contrast to the drama unfolding in the courts.
The Road to Engagement
Braunwyn came out as a lesbian in late 2020 while still married to Sean, a confession that marked the beginning of the end of her marriage. She began dating Jennifer Spinner, a professional dancer and artist, and the couple quickly became serious. They announced their engagement in July 2023, with Braunwyn often referring to Jennifer as her "wife," signaling a deep commitment even before the official wedding.
Planning for Baby Number Eight
Perhaps the most surprising news from Braunwyn’s new life is the plan to expand their family. Braunwyn, already a mother of seven, and Jennifer are actively planning for their first child together. The couple has been open about the process, revealing that Jennifer Spinner is undergoing egg freezing procedures.
- The Goal: To have Braunwyn's eighth child, a new sibling for the seven children she shares with Sean.
- The Process: Jennifer is freezing her eggs, indicating they plan to use a sperm donor, though specific details of the conception process (IVF, surrogacy, etc.) are kept private.
- Public Reaction: The announcement has drawn mixed public reaction, with some praising her for embracing her new life and others questioning the decision to have another child amidst a contentious custody battle over the existing seven.
The Legacy of the "Open Marriage" and What’s Next for Sean
The Braunwyn and Sean saga will forever be defined by their "open marriage," a non-traditional living arrangement they maintained for years, which was a central storyline during Braunwyn’s time on RHOC. The arrangement, which allowed both partners to date other people while remaining legally married and living together, was touted as a modern, progressive solution to their marital issues.
The Truth Behind the Open Marriage
In hindsight, the "open marriage" was a complex coping mechanism. Braunwyn later admitted that her alcoholism and her struggle with her sexuality were key factors in the arrangement. Once she got sober and came out as a lesbian, the marriage structure became unsustainable, leading to the physical separation and eventual divorce filing.
Sean Burke’s Private Life Post-Divorce
While Braunwyn has been an open book, Sean Burke has retreated from the spotlight, focusing on his career as a tech entrepreneur and businessman. He is the President of Channelstars, a tech collaboration center, and is reportedly successful in his own right.
- Focus: His primary focus appears to be on his professional endeavors and the ongoing co-parenting of his seven children, especially navigating the legal and emotional fallout of the divorce and the serious allegations he has made.
- Dating: Sean has reportedly started dating again, acknowledging that the unusual dynamic of his past marriage made re-entering the dating scene challenging.
The finalization of the divorce closes a chapter but opens a new, equally dramatic one focused on co-parenting and the future of their large, blended family. The latest updates from late 2025 confirm that the Windham-Burke family continues to be one of the most talked-about and complicated families in reality television history, far surpassing the initial curiosity about their open marriage.
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