Bonds has also been described as a verbally abusive prima donna with a holier-than-thou attitude, a sense of entitlement, and an independent streak.
So, why did Liz stay married to such an apparent difficult man? Those close to Barry Bonds describe Bonds as an extremely talented baseball player and a devoted husband and father.
Although they weathered the storms of negative publicity and comments about other relationships, Barry and Liz Bonds' marriage appears to be ending.
News Updates:
6/8/09: Liz Watson filed for a legal separation from Barry Bonds. She cited irreconcilable differences.2/27/09: Although Barry Bonds is charged with 11 counts of perjury, his trial is delayed indefinitely over a dispute about evidence.
Elizabeth Watson:
Their wedding reception had 240 guests. Barry serenaded Liz by singing Johnny Gill's "My, My, My" in front of their guests.
- Susann (Sun) Margreth Branco: Barry and Susann met in August 1987 in a Montreal nightclub when she was a bartender. Sun also worked as a cosmetologist.
Sun is from Sweden. Barry and Susann (Sun) eloped and were married on February 6, 1988 in Las Vegas. Many sites state their wedding in Las Vegas as February 5, 1988. The February 6th date is from the Clark County Nevada records, marriage certificate #C032549.
According to Sun, their large, Mediterranean styled, $2.5 million home was the site of physical and emotional abuse by Barry. The house has five bedrooms, cabana, and a swimming pool on one acre. Barry testified that he had only kicked her once after she had kicked him.Separating in June 1994, their marriage ended in a bitter divorce in December 1994. The primary dispute centered around their prenuptial agreement. The case went all the way to the California Supreme Court.
Their marriage was annulled by the Catholic Church in 1997.
- Kimberly Bell: A graphic artist, Kimberly Bell met Bonds in the players' parking lot at Candlestick Park in 1994. In June 2005, Kimberly Bell testified before a federal grand jury that she had a relationship with Barry Bonds from 1994 through May 2003. Bonds purchased a home in Scottsdale, Arizona for Kimberly.
- Nikolai Lamar Bonds: Born December 1989. His mother is Susann Branco Bonds. Nikolai worked as a batboy for the San Francisco Giants.
- Shikari Bonds: Born March 1991. Her mother is Susann Branco Bonds.
- Aisha Lynn Bonds: Born February 1999. Her mother is Liz Watson Bonds.
Occupations and Interests:
Barry: Left fielder for the San Francisco Giants and an actor. Barry enjoys playing golf, photography, and music. Barry is involved in The Barry Bonds Foundation.Barry also owns a home in Beverly Park, Beverly Hills, California.
Source: Mary Margaret. "Barry Bonds Hits a Personal Home Run." People.com. 12/23/2007.
Bob McKercher, high school friend, about Barry: "I see the personal side of Barry. He's a human being, a very loving
father, a family man. He's really good with kids and very dedicated to
his job. But sometimes he needs space to do his job. He's not as surly
as everyone says, but sometimes when you're backed into a corner, you're going to be defensive."
Source: AllStarz.hollywood.com
Source: Playboy Interview
Lawrence Stotter, Sun's lawyer, about the annulment: "Sun feels very strongly that despite the difficulties and fights and struggles they've had, they were very much in love as a young couple and it was a valid marriage. It's just outrageous for the church to now take a position, just because Barry is who he is, that the marriage was invalid from the beginning."
Source: Seattle Times. Nov 27, 1997.
Jeff Pearlman quote from interview in Gelf Magazine: "GM: In the book, it struck me how awkward and cruel Bonds was to women.
JP: He has horrible, horrible relations with women, and he always has. I don't think he gets it, I think he's confused. Like his teammates said, he's all about strippers."
Source: Gelfmagazine.com
