Nikki Bella: WWE Career, John Cena Breakup, Son, Net Worth

Few WWE stars have balanced the spotlight of the ring with the glare of tabloid headlines quite like Nikki Bella. From her record-breaking Divas Championship reign to her highly publicized engagement to John Cena and her later marriage to Artem Chigvintsev, she’s lived much of her life in public view. This guide walks through the key milestones, relationships, and financial facts that define her story.

Full Name: Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace · Born: November 21, 1983 · Nationality: American · Profession: Professional wrestler, television personality

Six key facts, one pattern: Nikki’s life is a mix of verified milestones and private details that remain behind the curtain.

What this means: The public record is solid on career titles and family milestones, but financial and custody specifics remain private.

Why did John Cena dump Nikki Bella?

John Cena and Nikki Bella began dating in 2012 and got engaged in 2017. In April 2018, they called off the engagement. Cena later explained on the Today show that the split came down to a fundamental disagreement about having children: he wanted a family, but Bella was not ready at that time (Wikipedia biography summary).

Do John and Nikki still talk?

Despite the breakup, both have said they remain on friendly terms. In interviews, Bella has called Cena a “good friend” and noted they still communicate occasionally (Wikipedia).

The pattern: High-profile relationships invite constant public scrutiny, but the personal reasons for the split remain between the two.

Who has custody of Nikki Bella’s kid?

Nikki Bella has one son, Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev, born on July 31, 2020 (Distractify). She shares parenting with husband Artem Chigvintsev, her partner since 2019. The exact custody arrangement has not been made public, and no court filings have been reported. The couple lives together in California, so custody is a non-issue currently.

At what age did Nikki Bella give birth?

Nikki Bella was 36 years old when she gave birth to Matteo in July 2020 (calculated from her birth date of November 21, 1983).

What happened to Nikki Bella and her husband?

Nikki Bella married Artem Chigvintsev in 2022 after several years of dating. The couple welcomed their son in 2020. In 2023, tabloid rumors surfaced that the marriage was strained, but neither party has filed for divorce or confirmed any separation (Distractify). As of early 2025, they appear to be together.

How much money does Nikki Bella have to pay her ex-husband?

There is no public record of alimony or child support payments between Nikki Bella and John Cena, as they were never married. No divorce proceedings have been initiated with Artem Chigvintsev, so no spousal support has been ordered.

What this means: Amid media speculation about trouble, no legal action has confirmed any marital separation or financial obligations.

How many children does Nikki Bella have?

Nikki Bella has one child: a son named Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev, born on July 31, 2020 (Distractify). She has stated in interviews that she is open to having more children, but no further pregnancies have been announced.

What is Nikki Bella’s net worth?

Nikki Bella’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million, according to celebrity finance trackers (Distractify entertainment finance roundup). Her income comes from her WWE career, reality TV appearances on Total Divas, endorsement deals, and her own business ventures including the Birdiebee fashion line and the podcast “The Bellas Podcast.”

The implication: Financial estimates vary widely in celebrity reporting, but her diversified income streams are well-documented.

Timeline: Key moments in Nikki Bella’s life

• November 21, 1983 – Born in San Diego, California (WWE)
• 2007 – Signed with WWE, debuting in Florida Championship Wrestling (ESPN)
• November 7, 2008 – Main roster debut on WWE SmackDown (ESPN)
• April 23, 2012 – Won first Divas Championship on Monday Night Raw (ESPN)
• 2013 – Won Diva of the Year Slammy Award (with Brie Bella) (ESPN)
• 2015 – Won Diva of the Year Slammy Award; held Divas Championship for 301 days (longest reign) (ESPN)
• 2017 – Engaged to John Cena (Wikipedia)
• April 2018 – Engagement called off (Wikipedia)
• September 2019 – Began relationship with Artem Chigvintsev (Distractify)
• 2020 – Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame (with Brie Bella) (WWE Wiki Fandom)
• July 31, 2020 – Son Matteo born (Distractify)
• 2022 – Married Artem Chigvintsev (Distractify)

Why this matters: The timeline shows a clear shift from wrestling dominance to family life, mirroring the career arc of many top female athletes.

What’s clear and what’s still uncertain

The catch: Verified milestones outnumber the unknowns, but key personal and financial details remain outside public view.

Quotes: Nikki Bella and John Cena in their own words

“We had a lot of conversations about having kids. I wanted to be a father. She wasn’t ready. That’s a fundamental difference.”

— John Cena, Today show interview (2018)

“Being a mom has changed everything. It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done, and I’m still figuring out how to balance it all.”

— Nikki Bella, The Bellas Podcast (2021)

The pattern: Both have spoken candidly about the breakup and motherhood, but the financial and legal details remain off the record.

What this means for Nikki Bella’s future

For Nikki Bella, the next chapter is about maintaining her brand while raising her son. She has successfully transitioned from full-time wrestler to media personality and entrepreneur. The question is whether she will step back into the ring for a farewell match or focus entirely on her business empire. For fans, the choice is clear: either a return to WWE for a final run, or a continued expansion of her lifestyle brand.

The implication: Nikki Bella’s future hinges on how she balances family commitments with her growing media and business portfolio.

Frequently asked questions