Olympic gold medalist Oksana Baiul has reached a divorce settlement with her ex-husband Carlo Farina, awarding him primary custody of their 11-year-old daughter, Sophia. The agreement was formally submitted to the court on October 6, 2023, concluding a contentious legal battle that spanned several months.
Baiul and Farina, who were married for 13 years, agreed on various terms regarding custody, financial support, and the division of their shared property. As part of the settlement, Farina has been granted sole custody and will be permitted to relocate from Louisiana to Las Vegas with Sophia. Baiul will have the opportunity to visit her daughter, contingent upon Sophia’s agreement, with Farina facilitating these arrangements.
In an effort to ensure her well-being, Baiul will participate in anger management classes and undergo testing for alcohol and drug use, as stipulated in the court order. The agreement also mandates that Farina list one of their homes in Louisiana for sale while allowing Baiul to reside in another property they jointly own for a specified period.
Financially, Baiul will receive $550,000 from the net proceeds of the home sale, with both parties splitting any remaining funds. Notably, Baiul will retain all rights to her earnings from SAG-AFTRA, including residuals and royalties from books published during their marriage. She will also keep her extensive collection of designer items, such as handbags and couture clothing.
Farina, reportedly forgiving $194,000 in loans his business had extended to Baiul, will provide her with a $100,000 lump sum, along with an additional $150,000 to be paid over five years. The settlement also includes the transfer of a 2020 Mercedes after Baiul moves to Nevada.
The divorce proceedings began on June 26, 2023, when Farina filed for divorce, citing their marriage date as July 7, 2012. He claimed they had been living apart in separate residences since November 22, 2022, and sought sole custody of Sophia due to allegations of Baiul’s abusive behavior. Farina accused her of emotional, verbal, and physical abuse, alleging that the incidents were captured on surveillance cameras within their home. He claimed that Baiul had a history of alcohol abuse and described her as “manipulative” and “controlling.”
In response, Baiul denied all allegations and asserted that the couple had not separated until June 12, 2023. She contested Farina’s request for sole custody, advocating instead for joint custody. Baiul characterized Farina’s actions as psychologically abusive and argued that the videos presented in court depicted him as the aggressor, not her. She requested a mental health evaluation for both parties and opposed the move to Las Vegas, emphasizing concerns about Sophia’s education and social interactions.
Baiul, who gained fame as a figure skater after winning a gold medal for Ukraine at the 1994 Winter Olympics, has remained a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Since relocating to the United States, she has participated in various ice skating tours and reality television shows, solidifying her status as a household name.
As the divorce and custody arrangements unfold, the focus remains on the well-being of Sophia as both parents navigate their new circumstances.