Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan split after clashing over his desire to have children – with insiders claiming their 16-year age gap was a ‘major factor’ in the breakdown of their relationship.
News that the couple had officially split broke on Monday, hours after Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa, 49, unfollowed the basketball player, 33, on Instagram and posted a cryptic message referencing an “ex- partner’.
The estranged couple have yet to publicly confirm their divorce, but insiders claim their differences over starting a family and an inability to align their visions of the future fueled the rift.
“They were in love with each other, but once the honeymoon was over, they started to realize their priorities were different,” an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively.
Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan broke up after arguing about his desire to have children
It was confirmed on Monday that the couple had officially split after Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa, 49, unfollowed the basketball player, 33, on Instagram
‘Their age difference was a major factor in the split, plus Marcus was playing kids, while she wanted to be more of a celebrity.
‘They both had different ideas about what their family would look like and that caused a lot of stress.
“They’re just on different paths, but it’s their fault they’re not together, even if they blame each other for their downfall.”
As for whether there’s a chance Larsa and Marcus could reconcile, the source said, “Absolutely – but right now things are very busy and they’re not getting along much.”
They added: ‘They need to get back to where they originally started with each other and then it could work, this could be a good test of being away.’
Larsa and Marcus unfollowed each other on Instagram and removed all traces of each other from their individual profiles.
Larsa also asked fans in a poll, “Should your friends unfollow your ex?”
She also posted a cryptic message on Monday, which read: ‘The man you choose as your partner affects everything in your life. Your mental health, your peace of mind, your inner love, your happiness, how you will get through tragedies, your successes, how your children will be raised and much more. Choose wisely.’
The Real Housewives of Miami personality took to the Instagram Stories platform with a reference to an ex-partner with a poll that read, “Should your friends unfollow your ex?”
A source told DailyMail.com: ‘Their age difference was a major factor in the split, plus the fact that Marcus wants to have children while she wants to be more of a celebrity.’
Larsa already has four children — sons Scotty Jr., 22, Preston, 21, and Justin, 18, and daughter Sophia, 14 — with her ex-husband Scottie Pippen, whose teammate was Marcus’ father Michael Jordan in the 1990s.
Last year, Larsa and Marcus spoke candidly about their opposing views on wanting to start a family together.
Larsa said on their podcast Separation Anxiety, “I feel like I’m happy because I have four kids, and I feel like you don’t have any kids, so actually it would be a question for you.
‘Because I am really satisfied with my four children.’
Marcus added, “I think that’s something that goes unspoken in dating and when there’s an age difference.
“If the man is older, he may have children, and if the woman is older, she may have children.”
Referring to his sneaker store, he continued, “But for me, I’ve always seen Trophy Room as my baby.
“I’ve always wanted to make my own name, outside of being Michael Jordan’s son. So for me, Trophy Room gave me that opportunity as my company. That’s why I’ve always cared for it and treated it like my child.’
Marcus was seen on social media on Sunday in a photo alongside his famous father, 60, who had previously publicly expressed his disapproval of his son’s relationship
Larsa already shares four children with her ex-husband Scottie Pippen, while Marcus has no children
Larsa had previously stated on their joint podcast: ‘I am really fulfilled with my four children’
Larsa and Marcus were first linked in 2022 after seeing a loved-up display while walking on Miami Beach.
In July, Marcus’ famous father Michael, 60, expressed his disapproval of his son’s relationship with the television personality.
When asked about the romance, the iconic NBA player initially laughed and then said, “No.”
Larsa later admitted that she felt “embarrassed” and “traumatized” by Michael’s statement.
‘Oh my God, I was traumatised. “I felt like it was going everywhere and I was a little embarrassed,” she said.
Marcus added: ‘At the root of all this is obviously my father’s relationship with your ex-Scottie. Obviously we never talk about that, and I don’t think my father wanted to comment on that.
“I think he said no just for fun, knowing how Jordan plays, so I thought it was funny from the jump.”
Larsa and Scottie married in 1997 but separated in 2018. Their divorce was finalized in 2021.
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Larsa and Marcus for comment.