Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler’s tumultuous pre-divorce relationship: Looking back

Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler’s Relationship: A Look Back

Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler had a tumultuous relationship before divorcing in 2008

PHOTO: POLK IMAGING/WIREIMAGE

Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler have had their ups and downs following their 2008 split.

The Blink-182 drummer and the former Playboy model were married for four years before divorcing in 2008, but their complicated relationship continued in the years following. Although the couple reunited and separated multiple times during their romance, they always kept the focus on their kids: son Landon and daughter Alabama.

Barker and Moakler have both since moved on — in 2022, he married Kourtney Kardashian, and from 2020 to 2021, Moakler was seeing Matthew Rondeau. In June 2023, Barker and Kardashian announced they are expecting their first child together.

From their Nightmare Before Christmas-themed wedding to co-parenting their blended family, here’s everything to know about Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler’s relationship.

Summer 2002: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler start dating

RON GALELLA, LTD./RON GALELLA COLLECTIO
Barker and Moakler began seeing each other in the summer of 2002. In August, the new couple attended the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.

That same month, Barker and his first wife, Melissa Kennedy, divorced after just under a year of marriage.

October 9, 2003: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler welcome their first baby together

M. TRAN/FILMMAGIC

Barker and Moakler’s first child, son Landon Asher, was born on Oct. 9, 2003, in Santa Monica, California. The new parents chose the name Landon after Barker’s middle name.

Landon is Moakler’s second child; her oldest is Atiana De La Hoya, whom she welcomed with her ex, boxer Oscar De La Hoya.

December 24, 2003: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler get engaged
Barker proposed to Moakler on Christmas Eve in Disneyland. PEOPLE reported that the couple were inside the Haunted Mansion ride when he popped the question.

October 30, 2004: Travis Baker and Shanna Moakler get married

J. SHEARER/WIREIMAGE
Barker and Moakler tied the knot at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, California, on Oct. 30, 2004. After getting engaged on Christmas Eve and marrying the day before Halloween, their wedding theme was apt: The Nightmare Before Christmas. “Even though it was different and wild, it was really upscale and romantic,” Moakler told PEOPLE.

Their son Landon wore a mini version of his dad’s tuxedo, and Barker’s bandmates Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge were groomsmen. The special day was captured on camera for their MTV reality show, Meet the Barkers.

December 24, 2005: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler welcome their second baby

Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler at the 33rd American Music Awards in 2005.GREGG DEGUIRE/WIREIMAGE

Barker and Moakler welcomed daughter Alabama Luella on Christmas Eve 2005, weighing in at 7 lbs, 1 oz.

When the couple announced their pregnancy earlier that year, Barker wished for a December 24 birthday. “Hopefully it will be Christmas Eve. I’m hoping for a girl,” the drummer said.

August 8, 2006: Travis Barker files for divorce from Shanna Moakler
Barker filed for divorce from Moakler in 2006, after two seasons of their reality show Meet The Barkers. “My only concern right now is for the welfare and best interests of my children,” Moakler told PEOPLE at the time.

The next day, Moakler wrote on MySpace that she was “very devastated and very much heartbroken” about the separation. “I wanted nothing more [than] to overcome the challenges we faced but failed,” she wrote. “I truly believe that everything happens for a reason … I have been truly blessed with great family and friends and of course my children.”

Barker opened up to PEOPLE the next week. “I’m not in the angry phase at all because I’m still absolutely in love with Shan,” he said.

September 2006: Shanna Moakler denies rumors of cheating on Travis Barker

GREGORY PACE/FILMMAGIC
Moakler denied Barker’s accusation that she had cheated during their marriage. “In the press he has [accused me of infidelity], but to me he never did,” she told PEOPLE. “And I can say on the record that I was 100 percent faithful to that man. I was in love with him.”

September 2006: Travis Barker begins dating Paris Hilton, Shanna Moakler feels “betrayed”

By September, Barker had started seeing Paris Hilton, with whom he was spotted making out at a club. At the time, Hilton’s rep told PEOPLE, “They like each other. Paris really likes him.”

Moakler found the news upsetting. “When I first heard of the situation, I felt betrayed,” she told PEOPLE. “But in order to maintain a positive atmosphere for my children I’ve decided that not to exacerbate the situation by commenting on each new aspect of Travis Barker’s personal life.”

October 2006: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler reconnect

Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler.CHRIS WEEKS/WIREIMAGE

The former couple crossed paths at the end of October when they attended a Halloween party at the Playboy Mansion. The next day, Barker stopped by Moakler’s house, ostensibly to pick up things for their children. “I thought, at the end of the discussion, he and I could work towards being friends and that could work towards getting back together,” Moakler told PEOPLE. “He said he was in love with me.”

Barker countered Moakler’s statement. “I didn’t go there and say, ‘I’m madly in love with you, Shanna,’ ” he told PEOPLE. “If anything, there was an attempt to reconnect. I told her I was ready to be her friend.”

But after photos were published of Barker and Hilton kissing at the same Playboy party — on what would have been his and Moakler’s second wedding anniversary — Moakler said a friendship was “not possible.”

Still, he didn’t see it as the end for them. “I never say never — Shanna taught me that,” Barker said. “I could never write her off.”

March 2007: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler are back together

Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler.KMAZUR/WIREIMAGE

Despite their ups and downs, Barker and Moakler were back together by March 2007. Barker threw his wife an early birthday party at the Miami nightclub Cameo. “They were really affectionate with each other all night long,” an eyewitness told PEOPLE. “They really looked loving and happy.”

Barker and Moakler reportedly kissed after she blew out her birthday candles, and they were spotted holding hands on the beach later that weekend. Afterward, Moakler confirmed their relationship status and denied rumors that she was pregnant.

“While I hope one day to have more children with Travis, I am not pregnant,” she told PEOPLE. “But yes, I’m madly in love with my husband.”

April 2007: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler open up about their reunion

Shanna Moakler and Travis Barker during Beachers Comedy Madhouse in 2004.DENISE TRUSCELLO/WIREIMAGE

At an event in Los Angeles, Barker and Moakler opened up to PEOPLE about their reunion. The couple posed on a motorcycle on the red carpet and reportedly wore their wedding rings all night. “I think [it was] love, keeping our family together and believing in ourselves,” Barker said.

According to the drummer, their reunion made their kids happy, too. “Oh my gosh, that is like the biggest treat of all,” he added.

“We’re pulling out of the separation. We’re still married,” Moakler added. Barker continued, “We’re just trying to move forward with a clean slate.”

June 2007: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler break up again

J. VESPA/WIREIMAGE
Just a few months after reconciling, Barker and Moakler split again. “She moved out,” an insider told PEOPLE in July. “As far as she’s concerned, it’s over. She loves him, but it’s one of those relationships where they keep trying to make it work, but it doesn’t.”

The source added that Moakler was “upset” about the breakup. “She gave this marriage her all,” they added. “She really loves him.”

February 2008: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler finalize divorce
In February, Barker told PEOPLE that he and Moakler were officially divorced. “I’m no longer with her,” he said. “We were actually divorced a few days ago.”

Barker emphasized that his children were his priority. “I have a beautiful daughter at home, a beautiful son at home,” he told PEOPLE. “That’s where my head is at right now. I don’t have time for anything else.”

September 19, 2008: Travis Barker survives a plane crash

CHRIS WEEKS/WIREIMAGE
In September, Barker was badly injured in a plane crash in South Carolina that killed four others, prompting Moakler to travel from L.A. to visit Barker in the hospital. “She’s been at his bedside ever since she got there,” a source told PEOPLE. “When she got the call, she was in shock. She was very upset. It was devastating for her. But she knew she had to keep it together for Travis, her kids and her family.”

After nine days in the hospital, Barker and Moakler traveled back to L.A. by bus. “She is so devoted to him [and] he appreciates it so much,” an insider added. “She’s sticking by him. She is with him. Despite everything that’s happened to them, they love each other.”

Their reunion was brief.

April 2009: Shanna Moakler blogs about split from Travis Barker

JASON LAVERIS/FILMMAGIC
Moakler claimed on her MySpace that, while she was helping Barker recover, she found evidence that he had allegedly cheated on her. (Barker also accused Moakler of having an affair while he was still in the hospital.)

Moakler added that she decided to share this publicly after she was accused of infidelity in the press.

“I am by no means an angel, and I have made many mistakes, but a woman can only turn her cheek so many times,” she wrote. “‘No comment’ just wasn’t sufficient this time when people continue to lie and distort the truth. … I am a human being and the bashing has taken its toll.”

September 2012: Travis Barker emails Shanna Moakler about custody
After their divorce, Barker and Moakler faced issues with their custody arrangement. In September 2012, Barker emailed his ex-wife about their children.

“I work too hard to be a great dad … to only see them a total of two days a week some weeks,” Barker wrote, according to court papers. “I just about died in a plane crash, I got a second chance and I plan on spending every minute I have left with my kids or fighting to do so.”

He continued: “The longer this goes on the more it screws with my kids. Everyday I see them like this the more they hurt and the more motivated I get to get more custody of them.”

December 2014: Shanna Moakler calls the police on Travis Barker

(PHOTO BY DAVID HANDSCHUH/NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAGES)
In December 2014, Moakler called the police on her ex-husband, alleging that he’d threatened to “put a bullet in [her] head” during a fight.

Barker recalled the night differently: The musician told police that Moakler had threatened to have her boyfriend come and beat him up. Neither Barker nor Moakler were arrested.

The incident was made public later that month when Moakler formally requested a “thorough child custody evaluation.” Barker’s lawyer Laura Wasser later told PEOPLE, “Travis will not be discussing any claims made regarding his children in any media forum as he feels it’s exploitative and not child-centered. His side of the story will be told in court.”

June 2016: Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler are co-parenting as “friends”

Despite their roller coaster of a relationship, Barker and Moakler seemed to have found a healthy balance by June 2016. “The kids’ best interest is what we all have in mind — there’s nothing else,” Barker told PEOPLE. “Our relationship was so long ago. We’re just being friends. Doing the best co-parenting is the most important thing.”

To help smooth things over, the exes found a creative solution: a shared house primarily for their kids. “I bought a home that’s very close to my children’s school, so when she’s with the kids, she’s there; when I’m with the kids, I’m there,” Barker said. “There’s no making them travel back and forth to different houses.”

February 2021: Shanna Moakler says she’s “happy” for Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian

MICHAEL BEZJIAN/GETTY IMAGES; ABC VIA GETTY IMAGES; CHARLES SYKES/BRAVO/NBCU PHOTO BANK/NBCUNIVERSAL VIA GETTY IMAGES

After Barker and Kardashian confirmed their relationship on Instagram, Moakler commented on her ex’s new romance. “He’s my friend and co-parent, and I want him to be happy,” she said. “If being with her makes him happy, and she’s happy, I’m happy for both of them, honestly.”

April 2021: Shanna Moakler feels “hurt” by Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian’s PDA

JESSE GRANT/WIREIMAGE
As Barker and Kardashian took their grand romance gestures public, Moakler had thoughts about it. “Shanna’s moved on from Travis, but it’s been hurtful that everything he’s doing for Kourtney he did before for her, like the plane flying overhead, the flowers,” a source told PEOPLE. “It’s all exactly the same.”

The insider continued, “Shanna and Travis are cordial with each other and are friendly. … Shanna of course wants her children to get along with their father’s girlfriend,” but when Kardashian buys the kids lavish gifts, “she feels uncomfortable. Shanna isn’t as rich and can’t compete with that.”

May 2021: Shanna Moakler removes tattoo of Travis Barker’s name

Thirteen years after they split, Moakler got her “Travis” tattoo removed. “It’s my ex’s name,” Moakler said in an Instagram video. “Don’t tattoo names on your body, kids.”

The previous day, Barker got a hand tattoo covering an old one of Moakler’s initials, according to Cosmopolitan. He covered up another tattoo of Moakler’s name later that year.

Speaking with PEOPLE in 2006, he touched on the subject when asked if he planned to keep his “Shanna” tattoos. “It’s part of my life and I love her. It’s not like I’ve written her off or anything,” Barker said. “If anything, it’s a time in your life. You are documenting the time in your life.”

In May 2021, Moakler opened up to PEOPLE about her relationship with Barker: “I’m really, genuinely happy for him. I want the father of my kids to be happy and to have a partner that makes him happy … As long as she’s good to my children, that’s truly all I really care about.”

February 2022: Shanna Moakler opens up about co-parenting with Travis Barker

PHILLIP FARAONE/GETTY
In 2022, Moakler shared that she and her ex share one thing in common. “My children are my first priority, and that’s one thing that I think Travis and I do agree on,” she said. “That’s probably the only thing we agree on, but our children come first and their happiness. As long as the Kardashians are good to my kids, that’s all that matters to me as a mom.”

April 2022: Shanna Moakler congratulates Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian

After less than a year of dating, Barker proposed to Kardashian and the two later eloped in Las Vegas, although the surprise ceremony was not legally binding.

Moakler gave an exclusive statement about the newlyweds to PEOPLE. “Congratulations to the happy couple,” she said. “I wish them the best that life has to offer on their journey together.”

Barker and Kardashian officially tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony in Portofino, Italy. that May.

May 2022: Shanna Moakler praises Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian for including her kids in their wedding

Barker and Kardashian tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony in Portofino, Italy, on May 22. Sharing pictures on Instagram, Barker wrote, ​​”happily ever after.”

The newlyweds made sure to include every member of their blended family. Kardashian and ex Scott Disick’s sons Mason and Reign attended the ceremony, and their daughter Penelope was part of the bridal party. Barker and Moakler’s son, Landon, attended the ceremony, while their daughters Alabama and Atiana were also Kardashian’s bridesmaids.

Moakler wished the couple a “lovely marriage” and said she was glad her kids “got to see Italy.” She added, “It was a beautiful gesture to include my children in such a gorgeous affair.”

June 2022: Shanna Moakler auctions off her engagement ring from Travis Barker

JEFF KRAVITZ/FILMMAGIC
In 2022, Moakler sold her engagement ring from Barker in an online auction. The 4-carat, round-cut solitaire ring with a diamond-encrusted band sold for $96,500.

June 2023: Shanna Moakler comments on Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian’s pregnancy news

MICHAEL BEZJIAN/GETTY, MIKE COPPOLA/GETTY

Following the announcement that Barker and Kardashian were expecting their first baby together, Moakler told fans on Instagram that she’s known about the news for quite some time.

“I’ve known for weeks this is not new news to me ,” Moakler replied to a fan who asked her opinion on the pregnancy.