In Montreal, Quebec, the summer breeze of August 1987 carried a chance encounter between Susann Margreth Branco, known to friends as “Sun,” and baseball icon Barry Bonds, a meeting that would unfold into a dramatic, widely followed romance.
Their bond grew swiftly, culminating in a Las Vegas elopement in February 1988—a spontaneous celebration of their commitment that surprised many.
They later welcomed two children, Nikolai and Shikari, enriching their growing family.
By June 1994, the couple had parted ways, and by the end of that year, their marriage was legally dissolved. The separation attracted heightened media attention, in large part because a prenuptial agreement loomed over the proceedings.
The divorce hinged on a pre-marital contract in which Branco relinquished her rights to Barry Bonds’ earnings, both present and future, a stipulation that became central to the case.
Even with substantial financial support from Bonds, allegations of abuse emerged from both sides, complicating the dispute and contributing to a lengthy, highly public legal battle that drew extensive scrutiny from the press and legal commentators alike.
Susann and Barry Bonds Wed Within a Year of Meeting
Susann and Barry first connected in the summer of 1987. They stayed in touch by phone, and after Barry invited her, she spent 10 days visiting him in Phoenix in October 1987.
In November, she moved in with him in Phoenix, and a week later, they became engaged. By January 1988, they decided to marry before Barry’s spring training began.
On February 5, 1988, they signed a premarital agreement in which neither party would claim the other’s earnings if they split up.
That same day, they flew to Las Vegas and married the following day, February 6, 1988. They were both 23 at the time. The ceremony was simple, with no formal invitations and only a handful of guests, including Barry’s parents and his godfather, Willie Mays. They hadn’t planned far in advance, not even securing a marriage license or booking a venue before arriving in Las Vegas.
Susann’s ex-husband Barry Bonds with his children, Nikolai, Shikari, and Aisha
The couple welcomed two children together. Their son Nikolai Bonds was born on December 18, 1989, and their daughter Shikari Bonds was born on March 20, 1991.
After nearly seven years of dating and about six years of marriage, Barry filed for legal separation in California on May 27, 1994. A court ordered Barry to pay $10,000 per month for each child and an additional $10,000 per month to Susann as spousal support, which ended on December 30, 1998.
Prenup Leaves Susann With No Claim to Barry’s Estate
The legal battle over the prenuptial agreement drew significant attention at the time. Barry, then a rising star in baseball, asked Susann to sign the prenup before their wedding. The document stated that Susann would not claim any earnings or assets from Barry if they separated.
Susann signed the agreement without independent legal counsel, while Barry was represented by counsel when she signed. Years later, Branco challenged the validity of the prenuptial agreement in court, arguing it was unfair because she hadn’t had her own attorney to advise her.
The case began in the Superior Court of San Mateo County, which ruled in Barry’s favor. Branco appealed, and the California Court of Appeals reversed the ruling.
Barry then carried the case to the California Supreme Court, which ultimately decided that the prenuptial agreement was valid and had been entered into voluntarily by both Branco and Barry.
What Occurred Between Susann Margreth Branco and Her Son, Nikolai?
In December 2009, a troubling event unfolded at Susann Margreth Branco’s home in Menlo Park involving her son, Nikolai Bonds. Police were called to the scene after the dispute escalated, and Nikolai threw a doorknob at his mother, who was 45 at the time.
The confrontation intensified as he damaged property—photos and vases shattered—causing roughly $400 in damages. At nineteen, Nikolai faced serious charges, and was arrested and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism, and related offenses.
Susann’s son, Nikolai, was arrested for misbehaving with her in 2009
He was released on $50,000 bail. Nikolai pleaded not guilty to five misdemeanor counts, including battery, false imprisonment, vandalism, making threats to an officer, and obstructing an officer.
During his court appearance, he was accompanied by his father, Barry Bonds. The court issued a restraining order to protect Susann, barring him from contacting her or being within 100 yards of her.
Susann’s Move to Canada and Her Dual-Language Journey
Susann, originally from Sweden, moved to Canada in 1985 in search of fresh opportunities.
There she worked steadily, taking jobs as a waitress and bartender to support herself while pursuing bigger dreams in the beauty industry, including starting training to become a cosmetologist.
Her goal was to become a makeup artist for celebrities, a role that would fuse her love of beauty with the glamour of fame.
The move wasn’t only about work; she also faced the personal challenge of starting over in a new country.
She embraced learning two languages beyond Swedish—French and English—and used them daily in work, education, and social life.
When she met Barry, she was between jobs, weighing her next steps and where her ambitions might lead.
According to her Facebook profile, Susann is in Stockholm, Sweden, and has kept a low profile since her divorce.
