Priscilla Meirelles has confirmed that she and John Estrada are no longer married. In an interview on Fast Talk With Boy Abunda, the Miss Earth 2004 titleholder shared that their divorce has been finalized, ending their 14-year marriage.
Photo: Fast Talk With Boy Abunda
When asked about her relationship status, Meirelles answered directly: they are “no longer married.”
As a Brazilian citizen, Meirelles explained that she is legally allowed to file for divorce in her home country. She began the process in 2024 by traveling to Brazil to handle the paperwork herself.
“Bilang isang foreigner, may karapatan ako to divorce my husband,” she said. “I didn’t announce to anyone because ayoko na magsalita ng mga bagay na hindi pa mapapatunayan. So, I wanted to be ready that when I open my mouth, it’s a fact.”
Although the couple married in the Philippines in 2011, Meirelles said their marriage was also registered in Brazil, making it valid there as well—and therefore subject to Brazilian divorce laws.
“My marriage is both valid in the Philippines and Brazil. Pero being isang foreigner, I’m entitled; it’s my right to divorce. Because in my country, divorce is allowed,” she shared.
Meirelles said that she had considered annulment before pursuing divorce. However, the process was not filed, partly due to the pandemic and the timing of their marriage registration in Brazil.
Meirelles spoke candidly about what led to her decision.
“I fought for 14 years, and it got to a point where hindi ko na kaya,” she said. “I realized after a lot of things that happened that the best thing for me is really to move forward mag-isa.”
She shared that while she once envisioned building a future with Estrada, their interests and values eventually no longer aligned.
“It doesn’t make sense to me to be stuck in a relationship where you don’t have much to share with that person, and you don’t see your future with that person,” she said.
According to Meirelles, she tried different ways to work on the marriage, including seeking guidance from the church, consulting a psychiatrist, and attending couples therapy.
“I wanted to save my family,” she said, adding that their mindsets were no longer in sync.
Despite the separation, she emphasized that both of them love their 14-year-old daughter, Sammanta Anechka.
Meirelles shared that Sammanta responded with maturity when told about the divorce.
“She said, ‘Mommy, it doesn’t really matter if you stay with daddy or if you guys separate. What matters to me is that you’re happy,’” Meirelles recounted.
On allegations of third parties
When asked if a third party was involved, Meirelles claimed that Estrada had multiple mistresses. She added, however, that infidelity was not the only reason their marriage ended.
“This is not the only reason why the marriage did not work. There [are] a lot more elements,” she said, choosing not to go into further detail.
Estrada has yet to release a new statement following Meirelles’ confirmation of their finalized divorce.
A marriage long under public scrutiny
Meirelles and Estrada married on February 26, 2011. In 2023, Meirelles publicly acknowledged that their marriage was going through a difficult period, sharing cryptic posts on social media about infidelity.
Rumors intensified in 2024 after Estrada was spotted in Boracay with a woman in a viral video. He later denied being in a relationship with anyone else and said they had mutually decided to take a break. Meirelles, however, clarified at the time that the separation was not a mutual decision.
In a previous interview in October 2024, Estrada said he was willing to fix their relationship and even remarry Meirelles if given the chance.
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