Laura Clery ex husband is Stephen Hilton, and their divorce represents one of the most public and painful celebrity splits in recent years. The couple, who married in 2012 after meeting through mutual friends in the entertainment industry, built a seemingly perfect life together as content creators, parents, and creative partners. They welcomed son Alfie in 2019 and daughter Poppy in 2021, often sharing family moments that endeared them to millions of fans. However, behind the smiles, Stephen Hilton had been secretly battling a relapse into drug and alcohol addiction after nearly two decades of sobriety. Laura Clery has been candid that this betrayal of trust ultimately destroyed their marriage. They separated in August 2022, announced the divorce on her podcast in June 2023, and finalized it later that year. What followed has been a highly contentious post-divorce period marked by allegations of hacking, deleted social media content, restraining orders, and bitter disputes over co-parenting and the children’s safety. This article delivers the complete, fact-based truth behind their split and the ongoing drama that continues to unfold in 2026.
Quick Facts About Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton
| Detail | Information |
| Ex-Husband | Stephen Hilton (British music producer & composer) |
| Marriage Year | 2012 |
| Separated | August 2022 |
| Divorce Announced | June 2023 (on Laura’s podcast Idiot) |
| Divorce Finalized | 2023 |
| Children | The couple has two children: son Alfie (Alfred Sound Hilton), born in 2019, and daughter Poppy (Penelope Marilyn Hilton), born in 2021. |
| Primary Reason for Divorce | Stephen Hilton’s secret relapse into drug & alcohol addiction after 20 years sober |
| Post-Divorce Issues | Hacking allegations, deleted content, restraining order, high-conflict co-parenting disputes |
Who Is Laura Clery Ex Husband Stephen Hilton?
Stephen Hilton is a respected British music producer, composer, and sound designer who has worked on major film and television projects, including collaborations with legendary composer Hans Zimmer. Before the public divorce drama, he was best known to fans as Laura Clery’s supportive husband who frequently appeared in her wildly popular YouTube sketches and vlogs. The couple often portrayed an idyllic, humorous family life that resonated with millions. However, Stephen’s private struggles with addiction — which he had kept hidden after years of sobriety — eventually surfaced and became the central factor in the collapse of their marriage. Laura has described him as a talented artist whose demons ultimately overtook their relationship.
Is Laura Clery Divorced from Stephen Hilton?
Yes, Laura Clery is legally divorced from Stephen Hilton. The couple separated in August 2022 after Laura discovered Stephen’s relapse. They publicly announced the end of their marriage on June 22, 2023, during an emotional episode of Laura’s podcast Idiot. Court records and statements from both parties confirm the divorce was finalized later in 2023. Despite some online confusion and Stephen’s occasional social media posts suggesting otherwise, the marriage is legally over. Laura has moved forward with her career and co-parenting responsibilities, while Stephen has continued to share his own perspective on platforms like Patreon and TikTok.
Why Did Laura Clery Divorce Stephen Hilton? The Relapse That Ended It All
The primary reason Laura Clery divorced Stephen Hilton was his secret relapse into drug and alcohol addiction. Laura has been transparent that Stephen had maintained sobriety for nearly 20 years before the relapse occurred during a particularly stressful period in their lives. She discovered the truth after noticing behavioral changes and eventually confronted him. Laura has stated in multiple interviews and podcast episodes that she tried everything to support his recovery, including therapy and interventions, but the addiction had progressed too far and created an unsafe environment for their young children. The betrayal of trust, combined with the emotional and financial strain, made it impossible for her to continue the marriage. She has emphasized that the decision was made to protect herself and her kids.
Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton Divorce Timeline: 2012 Wedding to 2023 Split
The couple’s journey together spanned more than a decade:
- 2012: Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton marry in a private ceremony after dating for several years.
- 2015–2018: Laura’s career explodes with viral characters like Pamela Pupkin; Stephen supports her creative work.
- 2019: They welcome son Alfie (Alfred Sound Hilton).
- 2021: Daughter Poppy (Penelope Marilyn Hilton) is born.
- Early 2022: Stephen’s relapse begins secretly.
- August 2022: Laura and Stephen separate; Laura initially keeps it private.
- June 22, 2023: Laura announces the divorce on her podcast, revealing Stephen’s addiction relapse as the breaking point.
- Late 2023: Divorce is legally finalized.
The timeline shows a marriage that appeared strong publicly but was unraveling privately due to addiction.
Stephen Hilton Relapse: How Addiction Destroyed Laura Clery’s Marriage
Stephen Hilton had been sober for almost two decades when he relapsed. Laura has shared that the addiction returned during a time of career pressure and family stress. What started as occasional use escalated quickly, leading to secrecy, lies, and emotional distance. Laura has described the moment she realized the truth as devastating not just because of the substance use, but because Stephen had hidden it so effectively. The relapse affected every aspect of their life: trust evaporated, communication broke down, and Laura found herself parenting two young children largely on her own while managing the fallout. She has been clear that she did not want to end the marriage but felt she had no choice once the addiction threatened their family’s stability and safety.
Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton’s Messy Post-Divorce Drama
The post-divorce period has been anything but amicable. In June 2025, Laura publicly accused Stephen of hacking into her YouTube and Facebook accounts and systematically deleting years of her content — including monetized videos, long-form interviews, sketches, and podcasts that represented her primary income. She claimed he deleted over 4.5 years of work in one night, devastating her professionally. Stephen has denied some allegations while admitting frustration over limited access to their children. The situation escalated further when Laura obtained a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) against him, citing concerns for her safety and the children’s well-being. Court documents reference allegations of harassment, electronic stalking, and violations of court orders. Both parties have aired grievances publicly, turning what could have been a private family matter into a very public spectacle.
Inside Laura Clery’s High-Conflict Co-Parenting with Ex Stephen Hilton
Co-parenting has been extremely challenging for Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton. Laura has described a pattern of behavior she calls “post-separation abuse,” including unauthorized contact, disputes over visitation, and concerns about Stephen’s ability to safely care for Alfie and Poppy. Court records show multiple hearings in 2025 regarding custody modifications and safety protocols. Laura has taken legal steps to limit Stephen’s access when she believes the children are at risk, including instances where he allegedly took them without proper safety measures (such as car seats or notification). Stephen has countered that Laura is alienating him from the children and has portrayed himself as a loving father fighting for his rights. The ongoing legal battles have been emotionally and financially draining for both, with no clear resolution in sight as of 2026.
Laura Clery Files Restraining Order Against Ex-Husband Stephen Hilton
In 2025, Laura Clery filed for and was granted a Domestic Violence Restraining Order against Stephen Hilton. She cited a pattern of harassment, threats, and behavior that made her fear for her safety and that of her children. Court filings detail incidents of unwanted contact, digital surveillance, and violations of previous agreements. Laura has been vocal that the restraining order was a necessary step to create boundaries after months of escalating conflict. Stephen has appeared in court to contest aspects of the order and has used social media to share his side, sometimes in real time during hearings. The DVRO remains active and has significantly shaped their co-parenting arrangements.
Alfie and Poppy: How Laura Clery Protects Her Kids After the Divorce
Laura Clery’s primary focus throughout the divorce and its aftermath has been protecting her two children — Alfie (now approximately 7 years old) and Poppy (now approximately 5 years old). She has drastically reduced public sharing of the children on social media and has spoken about creating a stable, predictable routine for them despite the chaos. Laura has emphasized teaching her kids emotional regulation and reassuring them that the conflict is not their fault. She has also been transparent about seeking therapy for the entire family to help them process the changes. While Stephen maintains he is a devoted father, Laura’s legal actions reflect her belief that strict boundaries are necessary to keep Alfie and Poppy safe during this difficult period.
What Really Happened Between Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton
The truth is straightforward yet heartbreaking: Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton’s marriage ended because of Stephen’s relapse into active addiction after nearly 20 years of sobriety. Laura tried for months to save the relationship through support, therapy, and tough love, but the addiction had progressed too far. The divorce, while painful, was necessary for her safety and the well-being of their children. What has followed — hacking allegations, deleted content worth years of income, restraining orders, and bitter court battles — has turned a private family tragedy into a very public spectacle. Laura has handled the situation with remarkable transparency and resilience, using her platform to advocate for others facing similar struggles with addiction and post-separation abuse. Stephen has shared his own narrative of feeling “exiled” from his children’s lives. Both parents clearly love Alfie and Poppy deeply, but their inability to co-parent cooperatively has created ongoing instability. As of 2026, the legal and emotional battles continue, serving as a cautionary tale about the devastating ripple effects of untreated addiction on families.
FAQs
Q: When did Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton divorce?
A: They separated in August 2022, announced their divorce on her podcast in June 2023, and the divorce was finalized later in 2023.
Q: Why did Laura Clery divorce Stephen Hilton?
A: The main reason was Stephen Hilton’s secret relapse into drug and alcohol addiction after years of sobriety, which Laura said destroyed their marriage.
Q: How many children do Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton have?
A: They have two children together: son Alfie (Alfred Sound Hilton, born 2019) and daughter Poppy (Penelope Marilyn Hilton, born 2021).
Q: Are Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton still married?
A: No. They have been fully divorced since 2023.
Q: What happened between Laura Clery and Stephen Hilton after their divorce?
A: Their co-parenting became highly contentious with allegations of hacking, deleted content, restraining orders, and ongoing public disputes over the children’s safety.
Related Item Marshmello Net Worth, Misty Copeland Net Worth
