Model and television personality Adriana Karembeu has been awarded custody of her 7-year-old daughter, Nina, for half of the time by the Tribunal de First Instance of Monaco, according to an official statement released on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, marking a major legal turn in her ongoing divorce from businessman André Ohanian.
The Bottom Line
- The Ruling: The Monaco court granted Karembeu 50% custody of 7-year-old Nina, affirming her primary role in the child’s life.
- The Background: The decision arrives amidst high-profile legal friction, including a dismissed investigation and subsequent criminal complaints filed earlier in July 2026.
- The Stance: Karembeu’s legal team has previously denounced judicial overreach, while the model’s official statement emphasizes prioritizing her daughter’s stability and privacy.
A Legal Milestone in Monaco
The high-stakes separation between Adriana Karembeu and her estranged husband, André Ohanian, reached a pivotal juncture on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. After months of courtroom clashes concerning their 7-year-old daughter, Nina, the Tribunal de Première Instance in the Principality of Monaco delivered a landmark ruling. The court officially granted Karembeu custody of Nina for half of the time.
Karembeu addressed the development directly via an official statement issued on Wednesday afternoon. She noted that the verdict validates her active presence in her daughter’s upbringing. “The Tribunal de Première Instance of the Principality of Monaco has just delivered a decision that brings me justice,” Karembeu stated in the release. She added that the ruling recognizes her essential role despite what she described as attempts at intimidation, destabilization, and falsehoods targeting her private life.
Weighing the Stakes of a Public Divorce
Public interest in high-profile celebrity custody battles often blurs the line between tabloid speculation and documented legal reality. In this case, the Monaco proceedings form one part of a wider web of legal filings. Back in early July 2026, André Ohanian lodged a formal complaint with a civil party constitution naming both Karembeu and her partner, Marc Lavoine. That filing followed a separate preliminary investigation initiated by the businessman’s earlier report, which authorities ultimately closed without further action.
Throughout these developments, Karembeu’s legal representatives have consistently characterized the multi-tiered legal maneuvers as an aggressive escalation, prompting them to pursue counter-actions for defamation and malicious denunciation. Yet, Wednesday’s ruling deals specifically with the family law aspect of the dispute, prioritizing the parental equilibrium for young Nina.
| Date | Legal Milestone / Event | Jurisdiction / Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Early 2026 / Prior Months | Initial investigations opened following reports filed by André Ohanian regarding divorce and custody matters. | Monaco Judicial Authorities |
| Early July 2026 | Filing of a criminal complaint with civil party constitution targeting Adriana Karembeu and Marc Lavoine. | Monaco Courts |
| Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Tribunal de Première Instance grants Karembeu custody of 7-year-old Nina for half of the time. | Tribunal de Première Instance de Monaco |
Protecting the Child Amidst the Spotlight
Navigating family law under intense media scrutiny presents distinct hurdles for public figures. Karembeu’s statement emphasizes a desire to shield her daughter from ongoing friction. “Nina is my priority absolute, and each of the decisions I have made has been made thinking of her well-being and fulfillment,” she expressed in her Wednesday statement, affirming that her place in Nina’s life remains secure.
As the broader legal proceedings between the former couple continue to unfold behind the scenes, this latest judicial directive establishes a concrete framework for the child’s daily life. Karembeu concluded her address by calling for absolute respect for her family’s privacy moving forward, stressing that Nina requires stability, serenity, and the unconditional affection of both parents regardless of their personal estrangement.
