How many times did Ross Geller get divorced on the TV show Friends?

Question: How many times did Ross Geller get divorced on the TV show Friends?

Show answer

Three times.

Ross Geller, one of the central characters on the beloved TV sitcom “Friends,” is perhaps as infamous for his numerous marriages as he is for his paleontological pursuits. Over the course of the show’s ten-season run, Ross experienced the highs and lows of marriage multiple times, with his divorces becoming a recurrent joke among his group of friends.

In total, Ross Geller got divorced three times:

  1. Carol Willick: Carol was Ross’s first wife. The two were college sweethearts and seemed to have a conventional married life until Carol realized she was a lesbian. Their divorce is a significant plot point early in the series, as it sets the stage for many of Ross’s insecurities and hang-ups about relationships. Despite the end of their romantic relationship, Ross and Carol maintain a close bond, primarily because of their son, Ben. Their shared responsibility for Ben means that Carol and her partner, Susan, remain recurring characters throughout the show.
  2. Emily Waltham: Ross’s relationship with Emily began as a whirlwind romance. After a brief period of dating, Ross and Emily decide to get married in London. However, the wedding is marred when Ross infamously says Rachel’s name instead of Emily’s during the vows. This mistake sows the seeds of distrust and insecurity in their marriage, eventually leading to their divorce.
  3. Rachel Green: In what starts as a fun trip to Las Vegas with the entire group, Ross and Rachel, after getting heavily intoxicated, impulsively decide to get married at a wedding chapel. Once sober, they realize their mistake and decide to get an annulment. However, due to Ross’s reluctance to have three divorces under his belt and a series of comedic miscommunications, they end up getting divorced instead.

Throughout the show, Ross’s multiple divorces become a running gag, with the other characters, especially Chandler, often poking fun at his ill-fated marital endeavors. Despite the humor derived from these situations, “Friends” also portrays Ross’s genuine struggles with love, commitment, and self-worth, making him a relatable and enduring character for many fans of the series.