Tisha Campbell's $15 Million Divorce Battle: 5 Shocking Financial Truths Revealed (Updated 2025)

The divorce of Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin, a separation that followed over two decades of marriage, remains one of Hollywood's most complex and financially tumultuous splits. While the legal process concluded in 2020, the full financial and emotional fallout continues to be a major talking point in late 2025, thanks to recent candid interviews and the final closure of their long-running bankruptcy case. The actress, beloved for her iconic role as Gina on Martin, has openly shared the devastating reality of walking away from a 22-year union with virtually nothing, a narrative that has deeply resonated with fans and shed light on hidden financial struggles.

The story goes far beyond a simple celebrity breakup; it involves a staggering $15 million debt, accusations of hidden assets, and a years-long legal battle that only saw its final chapter close in mid-2024. Campbell’s journey from financial devastation to her current career resurgence, including upcoming projects like the 2025 film Operation: Aunties, serves as a powerful testament to resilience and starting over in the public eye.

Tisha Campbell: Biography and The Martin-Campbell Marriage Timeline

Tisha Campbell, born Tisha Michelle Campbell, has been a staple in the entertainment industry since the 1980s. Her personal and professional life has been intertwined with her former husband, actor and producer Duane Martin, for nearly three decades.

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• Full Name: Tisha Michelle Campbell
• Date of Birth: October 13, 1968
• Place of Birth: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Key Career Highlights: Little Shop of Horrors (1986), School Daze (1988), House Party (1990), Martin (1992–1997), and My Wife and Kids (2001–2005).
• Former Spouse: Duane Martin (m. 1996; div. 2020)
• Children: Sons Xen Martin and Ezekiel Czar Martin. Xen is an adult, and Ezekiel is in his mid-teens as of 2025.
• Divorce Filing Date: February 2018
• Divorce Finalized Date: December 2020

The couple's marriage, which began in 1996, was long considered one of Hollywood’s enduring unions. However, behind the scenes, significant financial troubles were brewing. The divorce proceedings, filed by Campbell in 2018, exposed a financial black hole tied to a massive bankruptcy filing that predated the separation.

The $15 Million Debt and The Bankruptcy Case Closure (2024 Update)

The core of the Campbell-Martin divorce drama was not infidelity or typical spousal disputes, but a catastrophic financial situation. In 2016, two years before the divorce filing, Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.

The court documents revealed the couple was drowning in debt, owing creditors an estimated $14.5 million to $15 million. Their assets, including real estate and luxury vehicles, were drastically outweighed by their liabilities. This financial crisis became the backdrop for the eventual end of their marriage.

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The bankruptcy case itself proved to be a protracted and complicated legal battle. It was not until July 2024—nearly a decade after the initial filing—that the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case was officially closed. This final closure marked a significant, albeit delayed, end to the financial nightmare that had plagued the former couple for years. The long-term legal and financial entanglement is a key entity of the divorce story, highlighting the devastating impact of joint financial collapse.

During the divorce proceedings, Campbell also made shocking accusations, alleging that Duane Martin had been hiding and misappropriating assets, including money and property, a claim that added a layer of legal complexity to the already difficult financial restructuring.

Zero Support and The "Left With $7" Revelation

The final divorce settlement, which was stamped by a judge in December 2020, contained a crucial detail that underscored the couple’s mutual financial ruin: neither Tisha Campbell nor Duane Martin was awarded spousal support or child support. This decision was likely influenced by their shared bankruptcy and the court’s assessment of their financial standing.

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In subsequent, highly-publicized interviews, Campbell has been brutally honest about her financial state when she finally left the marital home. She claimed that after 22 years of marriage, she was left with "maybe $7 to my name." This raw revelation painted a stark picture of her financial vulnerability and the extent to which she had entrusted her finances to her then-husband.

She specifically discussed these struggles on platforms like The Breakfast Club, detailing the immense effort it took to rebuild her life and career while simultaneously navigating the final stages of the bankruptcy settlement and co-parenting their two sons, Xen Martin and Ezekiel Czar Martin. Her willingness to discuss this sensitive topic has made her an advocate for financial awareness and personal empowerment.

The Emotional Aftermath: Dating and The 'Gina' Effect

Beyond the legal and financial battles, Tisha Campbell has been open about the emotional challenges of dating post-divorce. In recent discussions, she shared a unique struggle: men often want to date the character "Gina Waters-Payne" from The Martin Show, not the real Tisha Campbell. This phenomenon, where the public conflates her persona with her most famous role, has complicated her search for a genuine connection.

The actress has emphasized her desire for a partner who appreciates her authentic self, a sentiment that speaks to the difficulty of maintaining a private life while being a highly recognizable public figure. Her candor about dating in her 50s, after a long marriage, has made her relatable to countless women navigating similar life transitions.

Tisha Campbell's Resurgence: New Projects and Future Focus (2025)

Despite the massive financial setbacks, Tisha Campbell has successfully navigated a career resurgence, demonstrating immense professional resilience. Her focus has shifted to new acting roles, producing, and even dipping her toes into stand-up comedy with her "Damn Gina" tour.

In 2025, she is set to star in the new film Operation: Aunties, which will premiere exclusively on the ALLBLK network. She is also a main cast member on the sitcom Act Your Age. These projects signal a strong comeback and a renewed focus on her creative endeavors, proving that her career has thrived in the years following the finalized divorce.

Her story serves as a powerful narrative of overcoming adversity. From facing a multi-million dollar debt and leaving her marriage with almost no money to achieving financial stability and professional success, Tisha Campbell continues to leverage her platform to share her journey of recovery and empowerment, inspiring her audience with her transparency.