Fonda Hits Turner With Divorce Papers

ByABC News
April 20, 2001, 1:51 PM

April 19 -- Was it something Ted Turner said? Actress-activist Jane Fonda filed for divorce from the media billionaire Monday the same day his frank comments about his estranged wife's religious beliefs were published in The New Yorker.

In a filing in Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta, Fonda noted that the couple's marriage is "irretrievably broken" and that "there is no hope of reconciliation." That language is typical under Georgia divorce laws, The Associated Press notes.

The pair separated in January 2000, but at the time said they were "committed to the long-term success of our marriage."

The filing on Monday said the two "have entered into a comprehensive agreement which resolves all issues between them," but gave no details regarding any division of assets.

In Turner's revealing New Yorker interview, the CNN founder said Fonda's decision to become a Christian contributed to their split (he's a nonbeliever). Fonda retaliated by telling the magazine that Turner is a needy man who doesn't understand love.

"He needs someone to be there one hundred percent of the time. He thinks that's love. It is not love. It's babysitting," Fonda said. " We went in different directions. I grew up."

This was the third marriage for both Fonda and Turner.

Reuters contributed to this story.