Navratilova, Former Companion Reach Settlement of Lawsuit

Martina Navratilova and her former live-in companion reached a settlement late Friday that ends their “palimony” suit, the tennis star’s attorney said.

Gary DeShazo of Austin, Tex., said the terms of the settlement are confidential because “everybody wanted the secrecy.”

“They made a deal they can both live with,” DeShazo said Friday night. “I think it’s OK. It’s a case that should have been resolved earlier.”

Judy Nelson, 45, and Navratilova, 34, signed a “non-marital cohabitation agreement” in 1986. In the agreement, Nelson was to get half of the estimated $5 million to $9 million earned during their relationship. But Nelson contended in the lawsuit that the nine-time Wimbledon women’s champion broke the agreement.

The two lived in Ft. Worth from 1984 through 1989, then moved to Aspen, Colo. The couple’s relationship ended last year.