How did Ben Foster meet his wife Laura Prepon? Relationship timeline explored amid a contentious divorce

Laura Prepon and Ben Foster are in the midst of what has now become a contentious divorce, with both parties leveling accusations against each other. The former couple first met as teenagers, through a mutual friend, Danny Masterson, whom Prepon had known while working on the "That '70s Show."

According to People Magazine, Foster has accused Laura Prepon of "inappropriate marital conduct." Just a day later, the "October Road" actress alleged Foster of “cruel and inhuman treatment or conduct," as reported by In Touch Weekly. She has also accused the "X Men: The Last Stand" actor of "habitual drunken behavior", which led her to request being “designated the primary parent."

Ben Foster's legal team issued a statement, a portion of which was obtained by In Touch Weekly. It reads:

"[Ben] would respectfully show that [Laura] has been guilty of such cruel and inhuman treatment or conduct (i.e.; inappropriate marital conduct) towards [Ben] … which renders further cohabitation unsafe and improper.”

On the other hand, the attorney for Prepon said:

"Laura] asserts the affirmative defense to any allegations brought against her that the ill conduct of [Ben] was a justifiable cause for any conduct complained of against her and [Laura] therefore requests that this court dismiss [Ben’s] cause of action for divorce.”

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Laura Prepon and Ben Foster's relationship history explored amid a difficult divorce

Laura Prepon and Ben Foster first met as teenagers but started dating in 2016, after years of friendship. The couple got engaged in October of the same year, surprising fans since they had kept their relationship extremely private.

In a 2016 interview with Marie Claire, "That '70s Show" actress explained why she chooses to keep her relationships out of the spotlight. She said:

"I’m like, I’m not gonna spend my day updating my social media. I want to enjoy and live my life. I want to let people in, I want fans to know what I’m doing, but there’s also a lot I keep close to the vest.”

Laura Prepon welcomed their first child, a daughter, named Ella, in 2017, with then-fiancé Ben Foster. In February 2020, the couple welcomed their second child.

Later in June 2018, the "Orange is the New Black" actress announced through an Instagram post that the couple were married.

“Just Married! Thank you for all the love and support,” the actress wrote in the caption. “Wishing all of us the good stuff!"

In a 2019 interview with The Moms, the actress shared how the couple handle parenting. She said:

"Ben and I are really great about if I’m at work, he’s [at home], and if he’s at work, I’m [at home]. [But] I do feel guilty, and I just know that [Ella would] be proud if she knew. I’ve talked to a bunch of women [asking], ‘How do you do this?’ And they’re just like, ‘There’s really no solution. You just do it.’"

The couple were married for six years before Ben Foster filed for divorce from Laura Prepon on 9 September 2024.