Jack White's Ex Karen Elson Gets Restraining Order Against Rocker

Duo separated in 2011; model states in court filing that her ex's violent temper has her fearing for her family's safety

By Natalie Finn Aug 02, 2013 12:47 AMTags
Jack White, Karen ElsonSamir Hussein/Getty Images

Looks like the divorce party's over.

Model Karen Elson has obtained a temporary restraining order against ex-husband Jack White, claiming the former White Stripes frontman has a violent temper and has been harassing her about their pending divorce settlement, according to court documents filed July 19 in Tennessee and obtained by E! News.

White was reportedly served with the order on July 22 and is barred, per a court order, from "any contact with wife whatsoever except as it relates to parenting time with the parties' minor children," pending a hearing scheduled for Aug. 29.

"This is a private matter. I thank you for respecting my family's privacy and will be making no further comment," Elson said in a statement to E! News. White's rep had no comment.

"Wife fears for her and the children's safety as a result of this harassment," the filing states. Elson's complaint alleges that White has contacted his ex's legal camp "in an inappropriate and aggressive manner" and made derogatory remarks about her to their business manager.

The barrage of calls and emails is "preventing her from carrying on her life in any rational way," the complaint charges.

"This pattern of husband's bullying wife into submission was a contributing factor in the demise of their marriage," the filing continues.

The British-born Elson met White when she appeared in the White Stripes' "Blue Orchid" video. They tied the knot in 2005 in Brazil and separated in 2011, heralding their split by throwing a big bash in honor of "their 6th anniversary and their upcoming divorce."

"Please help us celebrate together this anniversary of the making and breaking of the sacred union of marriage with our best friends and animals," the invitation encouraged.

Elson officially filed for divorce last year. They have two kids together, 7-year-old Scarlett and 5 1/2-year-old Henry.

"I'm not extending this anymore," White allegedly wrote to Elson in an email included in her filing, referring to their divorce proceedings. "And we're not getting lawyers involved to rip me off."

Another printout of an email included with the filing reads: "You agreed to meet without lawyers making this a f--king mess...don't go back on it YET AGAIN and cause more trouble now Karen! For gods sake stop. You've made a verbal agreement, stand by your word..you have shown me so much disrespect in the past few months and you sit there saying you want to have a better relationship with me? Haha. Jesus. You don't get it have it both ways Karen. I am NOT ever going to therapy with you and acting out some bulls--t so you can tell your friends you did the right thing."

—Reporting by Holly Passalaqua and Claudia Rosenbaum