The Fall of a Reality TV Couple: The Spolanskys Divorce

It has come to light that one of the couples who made a mark on reality television with their appearance on “Wife Swap” has quietly divorced. Steven Spolansky filed for a contested divorce from Jodi Spolansky in August 2023, according to court records. The couple had reportedly been separated for years before reaching an agreement in the case in January. A New York judge finalized the paperwork in February.

Steven, 58, now based in Miami, and Jodi, 56, residing in the Seattle area, rose to fame in 2004 when they appeared in the first season of “Wife Swap.” The reality series followed wives from different backgrounds who traded lives for 10 days. Jodi, described as a “multimillionairess” from New York City who enjoyed “me time” and spent generously on clothing, swapped lives with Lynn Bradley, a school bus driver and wood chopper from rural New Jersey.

The Spolanskys have five children together: sons Griffin, Gage, Lawson, and Chase, and daughter Peyton. During their time on the show, it was revealed that despite having only three kids at the time, they employed a significant staff of four nannies, a maid, a cook, and a chauffeur. The difference in lifestyles between Jodi and Lynn was stark, with Jodi unwilling to engage in manual labor like wood chopping.

While the Spolanskys’ time in the reality TV spotlight was short-lived, it left a lasting impact on their family. Lawson, one of their children, revealed in a TikTok video that the experience “ruined” his family. Despite the lesson learned by Jodi about spending more time with her children, it appears that the effects of their time in the public eye had a profound negative impact on their family dynamics.

The rise and fall of the Spolanskys, once known for their appearance on “Wife Swap,” serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of reality TV fame on familial relationships. The quiet dissolution of their marriage after years of separation highlights the challenges that come with being in the public eye and the toll it can take on personal lives.