I think that it would be inconvenient for Michael to have the kids around as they gained in undersranding. His business associates would arouse their suspicion. I also very much doubt that Michael would be celibate - he wouldn't remarry but he would probably have a woman around regularly.

As was pointed out above, Michael probably wanted his children educated away from Nevada. I'll guess that started with some sort of prep school. Also, Michael always wanted a veneer of normalcy, and once it sunk in to the community that Kay was gone he'd start to realize that it looked odd for his kids to be motherless in town, but escorted around by his cronies. Even his divorce would have to be choreographed for appearances.

Pete, your viewpoint gains strength from something Kay told Michael in III: "Tony knows you had Fredo killed." (Of course, Kay might have told him, out of vindictiveness toward Michael and to mitigate her abortion when Tony got old enough to understand it.)


Yes, he certainly would have looked toward his reputation as a "legitimate" citizen. Divorces still carried a hint of scandal among prominent people in the late Fifties and early Sixties.

I hope no one takes me fishing!
Please note I am not trying to convince! anyone especially the Senior Board members, just putting my views forward...brainstorming

I still doubt Michael and Kay divorced in Godfather 2

Michael is wearing his wedding ring in the notably older Michael scene, in Godfather 2 so either Michael is in denial that “Kay was gone” or Michael and Kay had not divorced

Ref: thread Coppola Denies Orange Symbolism post by user Turnbull on 01 September 2018
“One of the things that makes the GF Trilogy great is Coppola's fanatical attention to even the smallest details There is no way those oranges appeared accidentally or coincidentally.”

Hence I believe there is no way the wedding ring was left accidentally or coincidentally

I also doubt "legitimate" citizen Michael “That I have never been arrested or indicted for any crime whatsoever. That no proof linking me to any criminal conspiracy” would consider “His "legitimate" business associates would arouse their [kids] suspicion” or his "legitimate" business people “his cronies”

When Godfather 3 came around / in between 2 and 3,
1. the children were with Kay
2. Michael and Kay had divorced

It's a good point. One thing to consider in connection with denial is Michael's Catholicism. A Nevada divorce wouldn't have any impact on the marriage's status in the Church. So Kay could be divorced at the same time Michael considers himself married, or at least projects that does.

Lana, your viewpoint gains strength from knowing Al Pacino aversion to marriage

The movies are for International audience I reckon, non-Americans don't know that