Meet Chris Rock’s Former Wife-Of-19-Years Mom of His Kids Who He Cheated On with 3 Women

After a nearly two-decade-long marriage, Chris Rock and Malaak Compton separated and went through a legal battle. The comedian also admitted to having an affair with three women, of which one was famous.

Chris Rock recently received massive attention for a public confrontation with Will Smith at the Oscars ceremony, following the comedian’s joke about Jada Smith, taking a jab at her medical condition. Will took it upon himself to walk up the stage to slap Chris and scream at him on national television.

Will later won Best Actor for his performance in “King Richard,” but the stir he caused was highlighted more than his success. Like Will, Chris was also once married to Malaak Compton-Rock, his wife of 19 years. Here’s a look at their life as husband and wife and divorce.

CHRIS ROCK’S MARRIAGE: FIRST MEETING, KIDS, CHEATING, REVELATIONS

Rock had just ended his stint on “Saturday Night Live” when he met Malaak Compton-Rock, a UNICEF public relations officer. It didn’t take too long before the couple tied the knot in 1996, three years after meeting.

However, it took a while before they built their family and welcomed their first child, Lola Simone Rock, in 2002. Two years later, they welcomed another daughter, Zahra Savannah, followed by a child from South Africa, Ntombi, whom they raised together.

Although married for 19 years, Chris and Malaak also had their fair share of problems, eventually leading to their split in 2014 and divorce in 2016. One of their troubles revolved around Chris’ infidelity, admitting that he had an affair with three women, of which one was famous.

“I was a piece of [expletive],” he said, explaining that he felt he had the right to cheat because he was the family’s breadwinner. “That’s bull [expletive]. That actually goes the other way. My faults are magnified. Your significant other, if they really love you, has a high opinion of you. And you let them down.”

Chris also admitted that it wasn’t fair to his wife, who did not have as strong a voice as him in the industry. He said in his Netflix documentary “Chris Rock: Tamborine,” as told by Us Weekly:

“It’s my fault because I’m a [expletive]. I don’t listen. I wasn’t kind. I had an attitude. I thought, ‘I pay for everything. I can do what I want.’ That [expletive] don’t [expletive] work. I just thought I was the [expletive].”

“When guys cheat, it’s like we want something new, but then you know what happens? Your woman finds out, and now she’s new. She is never the same again,” the comedian added. “You don’t wanna get divorced. You got somebody you love? Hold tight, commit.”

The two were spotted on nights out, which led to speculation that they were dating. Unfortunately, neither of them confirmed that they were more than just friends.

Although Malaak came to light as the famous celebrity’s wife, she is a star in her own right, known for her humanitarian efforts.

MEET CHRIS ROCK’S EX-WIFE MALAAK COMPTON-ROCK

Before becoming a public relations officer, Malaak graduated from Howard University with an arts management degree.

After leaving her work at UNICEF, she founded a non-profit salon, Styleworks, that helps give women makeovers before entering the labor force and deviating from public assistance.

In 2008, Malaak founded the Angelrock Project to promote education in less fortunate communities in South Africa and the US and encourage volunteerism.

Apart from her humanitarian activities, Malaak also authored the book “If It Takes a Village, Build One: How I Found Meaning Through a Life of Service and 100+ Ways You Can Too.” The book revolves around personal stories of how her service changed her perspective and connected her to others.

The book also shares suggestions on how others can give back to the community in a way that can inspire and fulfill everyone. Malaak does not shy from sharing her missions on Instagram, a platform to encourage others and posting about her personal life.

INSIDE THE COUPLE’S DIVORCE AND CHILD CUSTODY DRAMA

Following the couple’s separation in 2014, Malaak released a statement reassuring the public that their kids were of top priority. Further, she asked for privacy during the transition in their lives, but being a public figure, prying eyes were everywhere.

During the process, the former couple battled over child support as Chris’ original divorce filing stated that they only had two children. Meanwhile, Malaak claimed that Ntombi was a child they raised when she was only months old and is part of the family. According to her lawyer, David Aronson:

“[Malaak] is saddened by recent tabloid media reports which are full of erroneous speculation and inaccuracies that are hurtful to three innocent young girls.”

He added, “While the adoption by Malaak is not yet finalized, it is actively in process under the rigorous guidelines and safeguards of international adoption policy. The child is in the country lawfully with the written consent of her birth parents and, while here, has been cherished and adored by the entire Rock family.”

According to Chris, his ex-wife can provide for her and their children’s financial needs. However, Malaak’s counterclaim states that Chris had fully supported their family financially in their years as husband and wife. At the same time, she stayed home to raise the kids and continued her charitable activities.

Beyond the legal documents, Christ admitted that it was unfair for him to speak ill of Malaak because “I have a mic, and she doesn’t.” He said, “God forbid people are bugging her in the supermarket. That’s not cool. I’m going to have to see her at weddings and graduations.”

In 2017, Chris announced that he was happily dating and moving on with his life, although still looking for peace following their legal battle. He said:

“I wanna find some peace, ’cause people usually find that peace in a horrible time. Why does that have to be? Maybe I can find God without being in shambles. Maybe I can reach a higher plane spiritually without being in a near-death experience.”

The couple split after 18 years but were legally married for 19. Naturally, Chris learned a lot during their married life and has since incorporated marital relations during his standup comedy stints. Once, he shared the wrong things people look for in relationships.

“The problem with relationships is that people want too much. Everybody is looking for a soulmate,” he said. “You are never going to get a soulmate. You are never going to find the perfect person. You’ll never find someone who likes Seinfeld and the Wu-Tang Clan – it ain’t happening.”

INSIDE CHRIS’ AND MALAAK’S PERSONAL LIVES NOW

Chris has since kept his personal life private but reportedly dated actress Carmen Ejogo in 2020. The two were spotted on nights out, which led to speculation that they were dating. Unfortunately, neither of them confirmed that they were more than just friends.

Before the rumor, Chris dated actress Megalyn Echikunwoke for four years but quietly broke up. The comedian happily spoke about their relationship while together, mentioning that Echikunwoke “got her own dough.”

Meanwhile, Malaak also entered into a relationship with a man she described as a “sweet, kind, loving, romantic, adventurous, fun-loving, inquisitive, giving, and spiritual” person.

Malaak proudly shares photos of her new partner on social media, posting pictures of their life together and travels around the globe, including a trip to Croatia. She wrote:

“The oceans and seas! The beautiful coves, hidden beaches, and beautiful crystal water. Oh, and I can’t forget the fresh oysters right out of the sea!”

Although having the time of her life with her new partner, Malaak is still a proud mother to her three daughters, whom she boasts of on social media.

In one of her posts, the three beautiful ladies looked stunning in dresses as they smiled beside each other in what appeared to be their home.

Chris and Malaak’s relationship may not have worked out, but it certainly brought them to better places. Both are fortunate to have raised their kids together.