Joe Francis has welcomed a new chapter in his personal life, becoming a father once again. His baby girl, Juliet Aurelia Francis, was born via surrogacy in Mexico City on March 18, conceived through an egg donor.
The news arrives amid reports that he remains estranged from his twin daughters with former partner Abbey Wilson, adding a layered backdrop to the announcement. Let's find out what happened with Joe Francis and Abbey Wilson.
"Search for the Hottest Girls in America" contest. Their relationship, marked by periods of separation and reconciliation, eventually led to the birth of their daughter in 2014 through IVF.
However, the partnership later took a troubled turn, with court allegations claiming Francis struggled with substance abuse from 2017 and that Wilson faced ongoing aggression and verbal abuse. The situation escalated further when Francis was arrested in August 2020 following an alleged domestic incident at their home.
From a decades-long on-off relationship to legal troubles and allegations
According to Prime Timer, Joe Francis and Abbey Wilson share a long, complicated history that began in 1997 when Wilson entered Francis'"Search for the Hottest Girls in America" contest. Their relationship, marked by periods of separation and reconciliation, eventually led to the birth of their daughter in 2014 through IVF.
However, the partnership later took a troubled turn, with court allegations claiming Francis struggled with substance abuse from 2017 and that Wilson faced ongoing aggression and verbal abuse. The situation escalated further when Francis was arrested in August 2020 following an alleged domestic incident at their home.
Allegations of violence, brief reconciliation and sepration
The reports state that Francis later spent 73 days in prison, after which the couple, who were considered married under Mexican law despite not being legally wed, finalised a divorce settlement.
They later attempted to rebuild their relationship after Francis agreed to attend couples therapy, though court documents cited by Page Six indicate that Wilson continued to make additional claims following their brief reconciliation. While, as per Page Six, Abbey Wilson was granted a protective order that prevented Joe Francis from contacting her or their daughters.
X | @RealJoeFrancis | Joe Francis Family Controversy Legal disputes over custody and kidnapping allegations
In December 2021, Joe Francis reportedly filed a kidnapping complaint in Mexico against Abbey Wilson, alleging that she was preventing their twin daughters from seeing him, according to reports from TMZ.He also accused her of family violence in the same filings. However, Wilson's legal representative later clarified that she had been granted full temporary custody of the children and was never formally charged with kidnapping.
The lawyer further stated that Wilson had not received financial support from Francis for about a year, as reported by the Daily Mail.