Nicole Brown Simpson was married to American football player O. J. Simpson from 1985 until their divorce in 1992. Two years later, she and her friend Ron Goldman were murdered outside her home in California. At the time of her death, she was 35 years old.
Reports suggest that Lifetime recently announced they were working on a two-part documentary that showcases her life and tragic passing. Titled The Life and Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson, this project will feature interviews with more than 50 individuals. These include interactions with her sisters, family, and friends. It will also consist of rare archival clips.
Nicole Brown Simpson’s ex-husband, O. J. Simpson, was the prime suspect in her murder, for which officials arrested him. However, the “Trial of the Century” ended with the ex-NFL star acquitting all charges. Yet, in 1997, a civil lawsuit found O. J. liable for both Nicole and Ron’s deaths.
According to People Magazine, The Life and Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson will explore Nicole’s experiences with domestic violence. Moreover, this project is a part of the network’s attempt to raise awareness of violence against women. It will be released in June 2024.
Nicole Brown Simpson early life and meeting O. J. Simpson
According to Biography, Nicole was born to Juditha and Louis in Frankfurt, West Germany, on May 19, 1959. Louis came to Germany as a part of the American armed forces publication Stars and Stripes. Along with Nicole, the couple had another daughter, Denise. Initially, the family resided in Frankfurt. However, when Nicole and Denise were toddlers, the family moved to Garden Grove, California. It is here that Nicole had two more sisters, Dominique and Tanya.
Nicole’s early life was characterized by contentment and ease. Transitioning to an American lifestyle proved seamless for her. Additionally, she relished the proximity to the beach and achieved the title of homecoming princess at Dana Hills High School. At 18, she started working at The Daisy, an upscale Beverly Hills club. It was there, in 1977, that she crossed paths with her future spouse, O.J. Simpson, despite his existing marriage to Marguerite Whitley.
Despite being married, O.J. entered into a relationship with Nicole. Their significant 12-year age gap posed no obstacle as their love deepened. Eventually, O.J. finalized his divorce from Whitley in 1979. However, it was not until 1985 that he officially married Nicole.
Nicole Brown Simpson’s marriage to O. J. Simpson
Nicole and O.J. got married in February 1985 in Los Angeles. O.J. had three children from his previous marriage. Yet, the Simpson family grew further. Their daughter Sydney was born in the same year they got married, and two years later, their son Justin was born.
As a mother, Nicole refrained from hiring nannies and personally attended her children’s dance and karate classes. She also frequently organized social gatherings and holiday celebrations. Nicole even ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing a modest interior decorating venture, catering primarily to her husband and his acquaintances. Unfortunately, her marriage to O.J. was fraught with challenges. Despite her dedication, O.J. was reportedly unfaithful and abusive towards her.
During later interactions, Nicole’s friends and family members noticed bruises on her body several times. As per Biography, the police had visited the couple’s home multiple times. One of the most severe instances of violence occurred on New Year’s Eve in 1989, when a confrontation between the pair left Nicole with a black eye, a split lip, and bruises.
In response to this incident, O.J. Simpson was charged with spousal battery, leading to a sentence of 120 hours of community service, a $500 donation to a domestic violence shelter for women, a two-year probation, and a $200 fine. After this incident, the couple released a statement that said, “Our marriage is as strong as the day we were married, if not stronger.”
Furthermore, in an interview, O. J. Simpson described his New Year’s Eve fight with his wife “no big deal” and added that the couple moved on with their lives. He stated, “Hey, you know, we had a fight. We were both guilty. No one was hurt. It was no big deal—and we got on with our lives.”
Divorce with O. J. Simpson
After years of conflict, Nicole and O.J.’s marriage finally came to an end in 1992. O.J. inflicted a lot of abuse on his wife for years and was involved in several extramarital affairs. After Nicole filed for divorce in February 1992, it was finalized on October 15, 1992. Furthermore, she received $430,000 in settlement and also $10,000 for child support every month.
After the divorce, Nicole’s life appeared to improve. She indulged in frequent socializing and cherished moments with her loved ones. Despite this, motherhood remained a paramount focus for her. Following her tragic death, her older sister Denise Brown emphasized Nicole’s vibrant spirit and her unwavering dedication to her children.
According to The New York Times, Denise said, “She was just so vivacious, so full of life. She had just gotten it all together, and it was so exciting. I was so happy for her. For the first time in her life, she was able to have her own friends. We were talking about going to Yosemite, camping, taking the kids to Club Med. Everything was going to revolve around the kids.”
As per news reports, Nicole endured persistent stalking from her ex-husband, O.J. Simpson. He would reportedly lurk in the bushes of her yard, surveilling her movements. Nicole confided in her mother, expressing her fear, as she felt O.J.’s presence wherever she went. She said, “I’m scared. I go to the gas station, he’s there. I’m driving, and he’s behind me.”
Although the couple tried to reconcile, by late spring 1994, she told her friends that she was permanently ending her on-and-off relationship with O. J. Simpson.
Nicole Brown Simpson’s death
On June 13, 1994, the bodies of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, 25-year-old Ron Goldman, were discovered outside her residence. The corpses of the two were brutally stabbed. According to authorities, the murders took place between 10:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. on June 12. Nicole was buried at Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest, California.
After her passing, Denise Brown spoke of how Nicole was glad to start her life afresh but still loved her ex-husband. Denise stated, “She was so happy. She had broken up with O. J. a week and a half before. She was going to start her life over. It was going to be without O. J., with her children. Funny thing, she still loved O. J. She just couldn’t live with him.”
Although O. J. Simpson was arrested and charged with the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, his trial ended with his acquittal. He died on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76 from prostate cancer.
