Nikki Garcia and Brie Garcia never have to look twice to find a shoulder to lean on.
“Sisters are a very special thing, and then what’s double that is when you’re an identical,” Nikki said on a 2023 episode of their podcast The Nikki & Brie Show. “Any type of twin, but I feel especially with identicals, it’s just a built-in bestie for life.”
It’s a bond that formed 41 years ago, when Brie entered the world 16 minutes after Nikki on Nov. 21, 1983.
Since then, the pair have gone through several chapters together, both professional (WWE Hall of Famers, E! reality stars, TV hosts and founders of wine brand Bonita Bonita are just a few titles on their résumés) as well as personal (like going back to their birth name Garcia after years of being The Bella Twins). And when they welcomed their sons—Nikki shares 4-year-old Matteo with ex Artem Chigvintsev and Brie raises 4-year-old Buddy as well as daughter Birdie, 7, with husband Bryan Danielson—they were born just one day apart in the summer of 2020.
“We always said we’re never going to be those twins,” Brie added on a May episode of Live With Kelly and Mark. “And then we grew up and we’re next-door neighbors. We do life together.”
Doing life together means the siblings are there for each other during hard times, too. Like in August when—three days after Nikki and Artem celebrated their second wedding anniversary—he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, with her filing for divorce in September. The Napa County District Attorney office announced later that month that it would not be filing criminal charges against the former Dancing With the Stars pro in relation to his arrest after reviewing the investigation.
“I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped,” Artem said in a statement at the time. “This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed. My focus has always been and will always be our son Matteo."
A little more than a month after Artem’s arrest, Nikki was granted a temporary domestic violence restraining order against him.
“Although Nikki requested that the Napa District Attorney not file charges against Artem as she did not want him to go to jail, he must still be held accountable for his actions, and Nikki and her son must be protected,” her rep said in a statement to E! Oct. 4. “Nikki’s number one priority has always been the wellbeing of her son.”
Artem has denied the allegations made in the restraining order, with him and Nikki accusing the other of being the aggressor. According to court docs obtained by TMZ, he was also granted a temporary restraining order against her.
Now, two months after the divorce filing, Nikki and Artem have taken another step to end their union.
“Nikki and Artem have settled their divorce and will not be going to court," a rep for the Total Bellas alum confirmed to E! News Nov. 20. "Both parties decided to drop the domestic violence restraining orders against each other in an effort to move on with their lives and effectively co-parent their son. Nikki’s number one priority has always been her son and privacy on the matter. She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received during this difficult time.”
At the top of that list of supporters: Her day one.
"Nikki isn’t here because, as you all know, she’s going through something personal in her life," Brie said on a Sept. 23 episode of their podcast, "and she just asks for her privacy for her and her family so we’re going to give that. But she sees all the support and love and we are always grateful for all of your love and support.”
And Brie continues to be in her corner.
“Nikki’s going through it, but I’m her sister. And I feel like, in this weird way, I’m going through a lot with her,” she added on an Oct. 21 episode after hearing challenges their listeners have faced. “So when I hear a lot of you, it makes me feel not alone. I know at times, when we’re family members, and someone in our family’s going through something hard, we feel it right? If you’re a family member or a friend and you see any of your friends or family going through something tough, call them, check up on them. Make sure they’re OK. Let them express themselves.”
To mark their birthdays, look back at photos of Nikki and Brie over the years.
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