Sonia Booth, South African businesswoman and former TV personality, has openly shared her experiences surrounding her marriage and subsequent divorce from former professional footballer Matthew Booth. After a highly publicised and emotionally taxing legal battle, Sonia has emerged candid about the challenges she faced. She also shared the lessons learned.
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The Breakdown of the Marriage
Sonia and Matthew Booth’s marriage began to show signs of strain after their return to South Africa. This happened particularly when Matthew played for a Cape Town-based team. In a revealing interview on the talk show Untied, Sonia spoke about the importance of honest conversations regarding the realities behind public images. She emphasised that social media often masks true struggles.
The marriage ended amid a viral cheating scandal in 2022, when Sonia exposed Matthew’s alleged infidelity involving a woman named Bongani Mthombeni-Möller. The scandal gained widespread attention after Sonia revealed that Matthew had baked a cheesecake for his alleged mistress. This discovery shocked her and the public alike.
The Divorce Battle
As of July 2025, the divorce between Sonia and Matthew Booth is not officially finalized. Sonia confirmed in public interviews that the process is still ongoing, despite separation proceedings beginning in 2022.
She reflected on the immense toll the legal battle took on her mental health, crediting her support system for helping her survive. She described it as a “roller-coaster” period. Sonia candidly stated that without this support, she might have faced severe consequences. This included potential mental health crises.
Moving Forward and Healing
Sonia has framed her journey as that of a “Phoenix rising from the ashes,” focusing on healing and growth. She emphasises the value of sharing real-life struggles to encourage others, particularly women, to confront their own challenges honestly. Her participation in Untied highlights the importance of breaking down pretences and fostering genuine dialogue about pain and resilience.
She also spoke about the distractions and setbacks the divorce caused. These affected her ability to focus on her children and career. Despite this, Sonia is optimistic about her future and is committed to moving forward with strength.
Legal and Financial Outcomes
The couple’s divorce included a 50/50 split of their joint estate, as they were married in community of property. Matthew Booth will not be required to pay spousal support. Sonia has also won a defamation case against Bongani Mthombeni-Möller, with the court ordering Bongani to pay legal costs.
Sonia won a cost order (over R75,000) against Bongani Mthombeni‑Möller in connection with a defamation dispute, but the court case is not fully resolved. The ruling is not a full defamation verdict, but rather a costs decision in Sonia’s favour.
Community and Public Reaction
The public followed the couple’s marital issues closely, with many sympathising with Sonia’s plight. Her openness about the difficulties of marriage and divorce has been praised. It sheds light on the complexities behind high-profile relationships.
Healing & Restoration
Sonia Booth’s reflections provide a candid and look into the realities of marriage challenges and divorce under public scrutiny. Her story underscores the importance of resilience, honest communication, and support systems in overcoming personal adversity.
