Navratilova Sued by Former Partner

Nine years after they met and unofficially wed in a ceremony in New Hampshire, tennis legend Martina Navratilova is being sued by her former partner, Toni Layton, who is claiming "emotional, mental and physical trauma" after Navratilova suddenly left her.

Layton said: 'Martina has got a fight on her hands. Without any warning, my life came crashing down around me. I was kicked out on the streets with only the clothes on my back.'

According to the Daily Mail, Layton is demanding a share of the four multi-million dollar homes that the pair purchased while together, though she could be entitled to more if her allegation that the couple agreed to "evenly share" all funds and assets attained by either while they were together is true. The lawsuit claims that among these items are a classic Mercedes Benz, two Land Rovers, a Jeep, a speed boat, two scooters, and two all-terrain vehicles.

Layton realizes that her chances of winning the lawsuit in Florida, which doesn't recognize gay rights, are weak.

'Marti makes out she's a champion of gay rights and sees herself as an icon for the gay and lesbian community. She has publicly urged people who are gay to 'come out' and stand up for their homosexuality.'

'Yet here she is, hiding behind Florida's antiquated anti same-sex laws, trying not to give me a fair deal for those eight years I was there for her at every minute of the day and night.

'If I was a man, married or not, I'd be entitled to half of everything that she earned during those years together. But because I'm a woman, it seems, rather conveniently, she believes I'm entitled to next to nothing.

'Marti knew that when she decided it was time to get rid of me and move on with her life. And that is why I am having to sue for a breach of our partnership.'

This isn't the first time Navratilova's private affairs have been aired. In strikingly similar circumstances, she was sued by another former partner in 1991 for $7.5 million.

Layton is also intent on getting something out of her broken heart.

'I was left an emotional wreck, with nothing to show for eight years of my life. I still suffer nightmares today. It's something I don't think I will ever properly recover from.

'But what I want now is justice. Justice for all those lost, wasted years.'

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)

6-24-2009 @ 2:12PM

paul4v44 said...

I am sick and tired of people trying to get rich off of someone else. Layton should get a job

6-24-2009 @ 5:52PM

Donna's page said...

I think if Martina is such a stand up person for gay rights, then she should do the right thing and give her half of everything. We do not know the whole story, but if she kicked her out with just the clothes on her back then Martina has to get a little class! Do the right thing and give her 1/2!

6-24-2009 @ 7:31PM

Bruce said...

Not only that, but legally in this country, IF IT AIN'T IN WRITING, IT NEVER HAPPENED! I'm pretty sure Martina had more brains than to give up half of everything she made to a "girlfriend", especially given that she'd already been sued once by a gold-digging "partner".

6-24-2009 @ 7:32PM

armyofone82 said...

Couldnt have said it a better way!! All these lazy people suing for "emotional stress" and what not are rediculous. For the most part, that emotional stress is like "im too lazy to get a job" They sit there and say "i lost 8 years of my life, and i want that back" so half of all SHE owns should be mine? gay or straight , that is pure BS. Thats like saying when we came back from afghanistan, and some guys had severe cases of PTSD, we could give them money and they wont have nightmares anymore. All the money in the world cant stop "nightmares" of any kind.... well maybe ones about being broke.... bottom line is these people who are always trying to seek money the easy way by suing people for ridiculous amounts of money for "emotional distress" are the same type of people who are going to be partly responsible for the demise of society.

6-25-2009 @ 12:24AM

mickey said...

I knew it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony. So, now, which one was wearing the tux??

6-24-2009 @ 2:17PM

spottoy said...

Like one bad fishing trip, I guess?

6-24-2009 @ 2:18PM

ddvwrght said...

They want the same rights as straight married couples, let Martina pay up.

6-24-2009 @ 3:53PM

gerrihan65 said...

There are no children involved. I assume that Layton has a career of her own. I don't think she is entitled to anything.

6-25-2009 @ 12:21AM

Darrell said...

Maybe she will pay up WHEN we get equal rights.

Wasnt she married to Billy Jean King too?

6-24-2009 @ 2:19PM

and Ellen Degenerate?

6-24-2009 @ 11:16PM

Karen said...

Ellen Degenerate??? That comment is almost as old as "God made Adam and Eve, NOT Adam and Steve" IF you're going to insult homosexuals, grow up, stop the name calling and get some new material!

6-25-2009 @ 12:20AM

Oh dear, I think Karen's PMS-ing. Leave a light on tonight Karen, the purple flamingos are coming to liberate you.

jm387 said...

Wahhh. Everyone should be entitled to take what's theirs and leave. You are an adult, get a/continue with your career, and move on. End of story.

6-29-2009 @ 10:47PM

gsan201 said...

BulSh1t,Martina shoud Pay up just as any other man would have to!If it was me or you We would have to Pay out the A$$ after 8 years common law marriage or whatever. They WED in a CEREMONY in NEW HAMPSHIRE so that is good enough to say they were a couple when splitting up assests that made together as a couple. you idiots want you cake and eat it too.Talk about Discrimination.

6-24-2009 @ 2:23PM

bobfmlco said...

I have been a Martina fan for many years and continue to admire her efforts in keeping physical fit. To bad she does not handle her personal life as well.

We wish her the best if she is innocent, and if not, PAY UP MARTINA!

6-24-2009 @ 2:27PM

chkrst said...

GIRLS REALLY GONE WILD.

iamstuckinohio said...

If you r going to play house for 9 years, then you should pay the price if the relationship goes belly up... here we have two lesbians who supposedly wants the advantage of being married without the consenquences that sometimes come with marriage...isn't this what homosexuals have been fighting for...the right to loose half. So give this woman half!

6-24-2009 @ 2:30PM

escem59 said...

If you are a couple or were a couple is a moot point in non common law states.Weather or not you are gay or straight.If Martina is a true champion of gay rights then she needs to step up and be the better person and settle her difference of being different.Own up to the relationship for as it was meant to be. You dont marry someone even unofficaly and then kick them to the curb with nothing.After eight years she at least deserves a box of Wheaties and a Heineken.

6-24-2009 @ 2:29PM

Probably more like octopus.