Former MLB star Ben Zobrist’s ex-wife is Julianna Zobrist, a Christian singer, songwriter and author whose marriage to the Chicago Cubs legend ended following a highly publicised legal dispute. The couple married in 2005, welcomed three children and spent nearly 14 years together before filing for divorce in 2019.
Their separation attracted national attention because of allegations involving a former pastor, complicated financial proceedings and the impact the situation had on Ben’s baseball career.
Zobrist, who helped the Chicago Cubs win the historic 2016 World Series, temporarily stepped away from professional baseball during the breakdown of his marriage.
Here is what is known about Julianna Zobrist, their family and the events surrounding their divorce.
Who Is Julianna Zobrist?
Julianna Zobrist is an American Christian musician, songwriter and author.
Born Julianna Joy Gilmore, she became known for creating contemporary Christian music that combined religious themes with modern pop influences.
She has also been associated professionally with the name Julianna Glasse.
Her music career developed while Ben was establishing himself in Major League Baseball.
Julianna released songs, performed at events and participated in projects connected with Christian faith and family life.
During their marriage, she and Ben frequently discussed their religious beliefs and the importance of maintaining a strong family.
Their Marriage
Ben Zobrist and Julianna married in 2005, before he became an established major-league player.
Their relationship continued through several important stages of his baseball career.
Ben played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs during their marriage.
Julianna pursued her music career while supporting the family’s frequent moves and demanding baseball schedule.
The couple became familiar figures in Christian sporting communities because of their shared public faith.
For years, their relationship appeared closely connected to their professional achievements and religious values.
Their Three Children
Ben and Julianna Zobrist have three children together: one son and two daughters.
Their eldest child is Zion Benjamin Zobrist.
The couple also welcomed daughters during Ben’s professional baseball career.
Their children occasionally appeared in family photographs and celebrations while Ben was playing in MLB.
However, their personal lives have remained comparatively private since the divorce.
Although the separation involved legal proceedings, both parents continued having responsibilities toward their children.
Specific parenting arrangements have not been consistently detailed in public reporting.
The 2019 Separation
Ben and Julianna filed for divorce in May 2019, bringing their marriage into the public spotlight.
The legal filings came during Ben’s final season with the Chicago Cubs.
The separation was particularly significant because the couple had spent years presenting a shared commitment to marriage, family and Christian values.
As their relationship deteriorated, Ben requested time away from baseball.
His absence from the Cubs became one of the most visible consequences of the personal crisis.
The divorce proceedings subsequently developed into a complicated legal dispute involving financial matters and allegations concerning their former pastor.
Pastor Controversy
One of the most widely reported aspects of the divorce involved Byron Yawn, a former Nashville-area pastor who had provided counselling to the couple.
Ben later filed a lawsuit against Yawn, alleging that the pastor had betrayed his trust and engaged in an inappropriate relationship with Julianna.
The lawsuit raised questions about the relationship between the couple and someone they had previously regarded as a trusted adviser.
Court proceedings and related reporting included accounts of Julianna acknowledging a physical relationship with Yawn during the marriage.
However, the allegations made in Ben’s lawsuit should be distinguished from facts independently established by a court.
The dispute attracted substantial media attention because of Ben’s sporting reputation and the sensitive circumstances involved.
His Baseball Break
The collapse of Zobrist’s marriage coincided with a difficult period in his professional career.
In 2019, Ben took an extended leave from the Chicago Cubs while dealing with his family circumstances.
His absence meant missing a substantial portion of the regular season.
Although he returned to the team later that year, he never played another MLB season.
The interruption came only a few years after one of the greatest achievements of his career.
While the personal crisis influenced his final playing season, his retirement also marked the end of a long and successful baseball career.
Financial Settlement
The divorce proceedings involved significant financial issues because the couple had accumulated assets during their marriage.
Ben’s MLB career generated substantial earnings, while Julianna also worked professionally in music and writing.
A Tennessee court eventually addressed the division of marital property and other financial matters.
The resulting judgment attracted attention because of the complexity of the couple’s assets and the disputes surrounding their separation.
However, individual financial claims made during divorce litigation should not automatically be treated as final court findings.
The proceedings became one of the most extensively discussed chapters of Zobrist’s personal life.
Julianna’s Career
Julianna established her identity as a Christian recording artist independently of her husband’s baseball achievements.
Her music explored themes involving faith, relationships and personal experiences.
She also participated in writing projects connected with Christian family life.
During their marriage, the couple collaborated on Double Play: Faith and Family First, a book discussing their experiences balancing professional responsibilities with marriage and parenting.
Following the divorce, Julianna continued to be associated with music and creative work.
However, her current personal circumstances have remained largely outside mainstream media coverage.
Ben’s World Series Success
Ben Zobrist won two World Series championships during his MLB career.
His first title came with the Kansas City Royals in 2015.
The following year, he helped the Chicago Cubs win the 2016 World Series, ending the franchise’s 108-year championship drought.
Zobrist delivered a crucial RBI double during the 10th inning of Game 7 against Cleveland.
His performance earned him the 2016 World Series Most Valuable Player award.
Known for his versatility, he played multiple defensive positions and became one of baseball’s most respected utility players.
His achievements remain an important part of Cubs history.
Life After Divorce
Following the end of their marriage, Ben and Julianna largely stepped away from the intense publicity surrounding their legal dispute.
Ben remained associated with baseball through his professional legacy and occasional activities connected with the sport.
Julianna continued to be recognised for her music and writing.
Neither has consistently shared extensive information about their current personal relationships.
As of October 2026, there is limited verified public information about either person’s private romantic life.
Their three children also remain largely outside media attention.
Where They Stand Today
Ben Zobrist’s ex-wife is Julianna Zobrist, the Christian singer and author he married in 2005.
The former couple share three children and filed for divorce in May 2019 after nearly 14 years of marriage.
Their separation became widely discussed because of allegations involving former pastor Byron Yawn, financial litigation and Ben’s extended absence from the Chicago Cubs.
Despite the personal controversy, Zobrist remains celebrated for his two World Series championships and his decisive contribution to Chicago’s historic 2016 victory.
For readers searching for Ben Zobrist’s ex-wife, Julianna Zobrist is the musician and mother of his three children whose marriage to the former baseball star ended following a lengthy and closely watched legal process.
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