Where Is Pietra Dawn Cherniak, Billy Bob Thornton’s Ex-Wife, Today?

Do you remember Billy Bob Thornton from the 1990s? He starred in big movies like Armageddon and A Simple Plan. He also made headlines for his many marriages — six in total! One of those marriages was with Pietra Dawn Cherniak, a former Playboy model.

Back then, Pietra was often seen in the spotlight. But after her divorce from Billy Bob Thornton, she quietly stepped away from the public eye. So now, many people wonder — Where is Pietra Dawn Cherniak today? What happened to her after all the headlines and drama?

In this article, we’ll take a simple and honest look at her life — from her early days to her marriage, her children, and what she’s doing now in 2025.

Pietra Dawn Cherniak Quick Bio

Who Is Pietra Dawn Cherniak?

Pietra Dawn Cherniak is an American model and actress. Most people know her because she was once married to Billy Bob Thornton, a famous actor and filmmaker.

She was born on February 9, 1970, in Santa Monica, California. Even though she was born in the U.S., her family moved to Russia when she was still young. Pietra later returned to the United States and began working as a model.

She gained attention for her beauty and later appeared in magazines, including Playboy, which brought her more fame. But her life changed even more when she met and married Billy Bob Thornton.

How She Met Billy Bob Thornton

Pietra and Billy’s love story started in a very normal way. It all began when they met outside an Italian restaurant in Los Angeles in the early 1990s.

They started dating in 1992, and their relationship moved fast. They seemed happy together and were often seen smiling at events. After just one year of dating, they decided to get married.

They tied the knot on February 18, 1993, in a small and private ceremony. Only close friends and family were invited. At that time, Billy Bob Thornton was not yet a global star, but his career was growing quickly.

Pietra Dawn Cherniak and Billy Bob Thornton’s Marriage

Their marriage started off well. The couple lived in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, and welcomed their first son the same year they got married. They were often spotted at movie premieres and Hollywood events.

In interviews, Pietra once said Billy made her feel safe, and she trusted him fully. But like many Hollywood relationships, things started to change. Sadly, after a few years, their relationship took a dark turn.

Even though they stayed married for four years, things behind closed doors were not as perfect as they looked in public.

Their Two Children

Pietra and Billy Bob Thornton had two sons together.

• Their first son, William Langston Thornton, was born on June 27, 1993.

• Their second son, Harry James Thornton, was born just a year later, on June 19, 1994.

Pietra stayed focused on raising her boys, even while dealing with the ups and downs in her marriage. She often kept their lives private to protect them from media attention.

As young kids, William and Harry were rarely seen in public. Pietra wanted them to have a normal life, away from the Hollywood spotlight.

Why Pietra Dawn Cherniak Filed for Divorce

In 1997, things reached a breaking point. Pietra filed for divorce, saying that Billy had been physically abusive, even in front of their children.

According to court documents, Pietra claimed he had hit, pushed, punched, or even bit her, sometimes more than once a month. These claims were serious, and she even filed a restraining order against him.

Billy Bob Thornton denied the abuse, saying her advisers convinced her to file those claims. He said their marriage wasn’t perfect, but he never hurt her.

Despite all the drama, both of them agreed that the most important thing was their children. After the divorce, they worked hard to co-parent peacefully.

Her Famous Playboy Appearance

After the divorce, Pietra made a bold move. In January 1998, she appeared in Playboy magazine, but not just for attention.

She called it her “declaration of independence.” In interviews, she said she wanted to send a strong message to other women. She wanted people to hear her story and understand that “women must escape bad relationships.”

Some people praised her courage. Others were surprised by her decision. But one thing was clear — she was ready to take control of her life and speak out.

Pietra Dawn Cherniak’s Career and Public Life

Before and during her marriage, Pietra Dawn Cherniak worked as a model and actress. She gained a lot of attention through her modeling career, especially her bold and brave Playboy appearance.

Aside from modeling, she also appeared on TV, including the well-known show E! True Hollywood Story. This show talked about her life, her relationship with Billy Bob Thornton, and what happened after their divorce.

While she didn’t do many major films, her work in magazines and on TV made her a known face in the 1990s. Over time, though, Pietra chose to step away from the spotlight and focus more on her family.

Pietra Dawn Cherniak’s Life After Divorce

After the divorce, Pietra decided to live a more private and peaceful life. She focused on being a full-time mom to her two sons, making sure they had a safe and loving home.

For many years, she stayed away from media attention. She didn’t chase fame or Hollywood parties. Instead, she chose to build a quiet life, away from the noise.

By 2025, Pietra is known to live in Malibu, California. Reports say she now works as a real estate agent, helping people find homes. It’s a big change from modeling, but it shows how she created a fresh path for herself.

Where Is Pietra Dawn Cherniak Today?

Today, Pietra Dawn Cherniak enjoys a much calmer and quieter life. She is 55 years old, healthy, and focused on her own happiness.

She doesn’t often appear in the news or on social media. Many people might not even recognize her now, which seems to be exactly what she wants. She values privacy, peace, and family.

Even though she once lived in the spotlight, Pietra has shown that it’s okay to walk away and start again. Her journey is a reminder that strength can look like moving on quietly.

Her Son Harry’s Life and Career Now

Pietra’s younger son, Harry James Thornton, is now 31 years old. He has built a fun and busy life.

Harry works in Hollywood, just like his father once did. He started as a prop master on movie and TV sets — helping with items used in scenes. He worked on shows like Goliath and S.W.A.T.

He also appeared on a reality TV show called Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules. It gave people a look at his life, and he quickly became popular for his kind and funny personality.

Today, Harry also works in real estate with a company in Beverly Hills. He is engaged to a woman named Magi Monet, and together, they have two daughters — Mia and Nikita. That means Pietra is now a proud grandmother too!

What About Her Other Son, William Thornton?

Pietra’s older son, William Langston Thornton, is 32 years old in 2025. Unlike Harry, William likes to keep things very private.

He doesn’t appear on social media or do interviews. In 2016, he helped his dad behind the scenes on the movie Bad Santa 2, but since then, he has stayed out of the public eye.

There’s not much known about his job or personal life, but it’s clear that he prefers life away from the spotlight — just like his mother.

Final Thoughts

So, where is Pietra Dawn Cherniak, Billy Bob Thornton’s ex-wife, today? She’s living a peaceful life in Malibu, surrounded by love from her kids and grandkids.

Her story is one of change, strength, and new beginnings. She faced hard times, made brave choices, and came out stronger. Even though she once lived in front of cameras, she chose a different path — a quieter one — and that’s something many people admire.

Today, Pietra is not just known as Billy Bob Thornton’s ex-wife. She is known as a strong woman, a loving mom, a happy grandmother, and someone who found peace after pain.

(FAQs)

How old is Pietra Dawn Cherniak now?

She is 55 years old in 2025. She was born on February 9, 1970, in Santa Monica, California.

Did Pietra Dawn Cherniak have children with Billy Bob Thornton?

Yes! She has two sons with him — William Langston Thornton and Harry James Thornton.

Is Pietra Dawn Cherniak American or Russian?

Shockingly, both! She was born in the U.S. but grew up partly in Russia, so she has American and Russian roots.

What is Pietra Dawn Cherniak’s job and net worth today?

She used to be a Playboy model and actress, but now works as a real estate agent. Her net worth is between $500,000 and $1 million.

Where is Pietra Dawn Cherniak now? Did she remarry?

Pietra lives a quiet life in Malibu, California, and did not remarry after her divorce from Billy Bob Thornton.