The $1.3 Million Question: Where Is Derek Fisher’s Ex-Wife, Candace Patton, Now?

The divorce of former NBA star and coach Derek Fisher from his ex-wife, Candace Patton (now Candace Fisher), remains one of the most financially and publicly contentious separations in sports history. As of late 2025, over a decade after their split, the details of their massive $1.3 million annual spousal support agreement and the subsequent public disputes over their children continue to draw significant attention. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at Candace Fisher's life today, including her career, her complex family dynamics, and the fallout from her high-profile divorce. Candace Fisher, formerly known as Candace Patton, has largely maintained a private life since the finalization of her divorce from Derek Fisher, focusing on her professional career and her role as a mother. The public spotlight, however, occasionally finds her due to the controversial details of her settlement and her children's high-profile connections.

Candace Patton Fisher: A Detailed Profile and Family Life

Candace Patton's life before and during her marriage to Derek Fisher was characterized by her commitment to family, though it was marked by a complex web of relationships that included another NFL Hall of Famer.

• Full Name: Candace Patton (Maiden Name), Candace Fisher (Married Name)
• Marital Status: Divorced from Derek Fisher (Filed 2015, Finalized 2016)
• Spouse (Ex): Derek Lamar Fisher (Former NBA Player, Coach, and Executive)
• Date of Marriage: 2005
• Date of Divorce Filing: March 2015
• Children:
  • Marshall Faulk Jr. (Son from a previous relationship with NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk)
  • Tatum Fisher (Twin Daughter with Derek Fisher)
  • Drew Fisher (Twin Son with Derek Fisher)
• Notable Controversy: Publicly accused Derek Fisher of exploiting their daughter Tatum's cancer battle for publicity on *Dancing With The Stars*.
• Current Career: Reportedly works as a Director of Organizational Development at HR Source in Downers Grove, IL.

The Shocking $1.3 Million Annual Spousal Support and Its Modification

The financial terms of Derek and Candace Fisher's divorce settlement immediately made headlines and became a major point of contention in the public sphere. After 10 years of marriage, Derek Fisher was ordered to pay Candace a staggering amount of spousal support. The initial agreement stipulated that Derek Fisher would pay his ex-wife $109,000 per month in spousal support. This figure totaled approximately $1.3 million per year and was based on Fisher's income at the time as the head coach of the New York Knicks. This massive sum was considered controversial and was one of the largest non-celebrity divorce settlements reported at the time. However, the financial landscape changed quickly. Derek Fisher was fired from his Knicks coaching position in February 2016, a development that significantly impacted his income. Consequently, he successfully requested a modification to the initial agreement. While the exact new figure remains private, the initial $109,000 per month payment was significantly reduced following his career change, a common outcome in high-asset divorces where support is tied to a professional athlete's fluctuating income. This modification highlights the volatile nature of wealth derived from professional sports careers and the ongoing legal battles that can follow a divorce settlement.

The Public Feud Over Daughter Tatum's Retinoblastoma Battle

Beyond the financial drama, the most emotionally charged aspect of the divorce involved their daughter, Tatum Fisher, who was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer, as an infant. Tatum's battle with the illness was a central part of the Fishers' lives during and after their marriage, and it became the subject of a very public dispute between the ex-couple. The controversy erupted when Derek Fisher appeared on the popular reality show *Dancing With The Stars* (DWTS). Candace Fisher publicly accused her ex-husband of exploiting their daughter's health struggles for personal gain and publicity on the show. She specifically claimed that Fisher was using Tatum's story and her appearance on the show as a "ploy" to garner sympathy votes. Derek Fisher, while acknowledging their daughter's fight, maintained that his intention was to raise awareness about retinoblastoma and to show his family's resilience. Tatum’s health is reportedly under control, a cautiously optimistic update that remains a source of relief for the family. This incident underscores the deep emotional scars and lack of trust that can persist between former spouses, even when dealing with a shared tragedy.

Candace Fisher’s Life Post-Divorce and Her Professional Path

Since the divorce, Candace Fisher has transitioned away from the intense media scrutiny that follows a former NBA wife, choosing a more conventional professional path. While some sources link her to a past career as an owner/stylist, the most recent and credible information suggests she has moved into the corporate development sector. Candace is currently reported to be working as a Director of Organizational Development at HR Source, a role based in Downers Grove, Illinois. This career move indicates a commitment to a stable, long-term profession outside of the celebrity and sports world, a significant shift from the life she led as the wife of a five-time NBA champion.

The Marshall Faulk Connection: A Complex Family Tree

A lesser-known but significant detail in Candace Fisher's family life is her connection to another major sports figure: NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk. Before her marriage to Derek Fisher, Candace had a relationship with the legendary running back, resulting in a son, Marshall Faulk Jr. Marshall Faulk Jr. is a college football player, and his biography confirms his parents as Marshall Faulk Sr. and Candace Fisher. This means that Candace Fisher’s children have two high-profile fathers—one from the NBA and one from the NFL—creating a unique and complex blended family dynamic. This detail adds another layer of intrigue to Candace Fisher's story, positioning her at the center of a very exclusive intersection of professional sports.

The Derek Fisher and Gloria Govan Chapter

No discussion of Candace Fisher’s divorce is complete without mentioning the subsequent relationship of her ex-husband. Shortly after the divorce was filed, Derek Fisher began a highly publicized relationship with Gloria Govan. Govan is a reality TV personality known for *Basketball Wives* and, controversially, is the ex-wife of Derek Fisher’s former teammate and friend, Matt Barnes. The relationship between Fisher and Govan led to a physical altercation between Fisher and Barnes in 2015, further fueling the media firestorm surrounding the divorce. Derek Fisher and Gloria Govan eventually married in 2021, a new chapter that officially closed the door on the Derek and Candace Fisher era. Candace Fisher, in contrast, has kept her private life out of the tabloids, choosing to focus on her career, her children, and maintaining a lower profile after years in the public eye. Her story is a testament to the challenges of navigating a high-profile divorce, the complexities of co-parenting after a public split, and successfully building a new life away from the glare of celebrity.