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Don’t look now but the divorce rate, which had been climbing for decades, is starting to decline. While marriage experts don’t have a read on why “till death do we part” has once again become words to live by, the data is undeniable – especially in the U.S. With that in mind, there are five reasons why divorce rates are falling.
- Children of Divorce are More Likely to Remain Committed
As the divorce rate climbed from the 1960’s to the early part of this century, many thought the data pointed to an irreversible trend as the children of divorce where also getting divorced. However, that has started to change and while we’ll need a few more years to determine if this is a temporary shift or something long-term Millennials from divorced families are less likely to get divorced themselves.
There are a few reasons including a falling marriage rate to Millennials getting married later in life. Combined, these factors could lead to a fall in the divorce rate, but as mentioned demographers won’t really know until the next generation (Gen Z or Digital Natives), which is beginning to enter the workforce, reach their late-20’s en masse.
The concept of marriage has been evolving since the industrial revolution. For a long time, marriages were arranged and then there was the question of dowries and other payments tied to getting hitched. However, this has changed over time, especially as more people married for love.
In addition, the roles of both parties have evolved over time. This is due to several factors including the rise in the number of dual-income households and changing gender roles inside of marriage.
Further note that the change in marriage doesn’t mean divorces have gone the way of the Dodo. In fact, many couples still end up calling off their marriages and if you are in Arkansas or the surrounding states and are considering a divorce yourself, here is some more information on the process – https://www.markreeslaw.com/ar/divorce-lawyer-jonesboro/.
- People are Waiting to Get Married
The impact of this change in marriage cannot be underestimated as it points to the fact that most people entering marriage are not only more mature but also more financially secure. The latter helps to eliminate one of the biggest causes of divorce – money.
However, this development could also be a statistical red herring as people getting married later in life could also lead to people getting divorced later in life; online time will tell.
- More Women are Graduating University
This development also points to a fundamental shift in the labor market as the number of women in many professions has increased dramatically over the past 20-years. What does this mean for marriage? First, even though a gender gap remains, it means that more women are financially independent and second, households with two professionals are less likely to face issues around money as compared to those without.
While this doesn’t mean that every married couple where the husband and wife have college degrees are guaranteed success, it does point to a higher probability that both partners can earn consistently over the course of their careers.
- Fewer People are Getting Married
To get divorced you first need to be married, and the decline in marriage rates is another reason why divorce rates are falling. However, this doesn’t mean that people are not forming families. In fact, cohabitation is on the rise and while this is akin to marriage it is not counted the same way by demographers.
This does not mean that cohabitation is not without its problems. For example, couples who have lived together for a long time might face issues when it comes to dividing assets if they decide to split. In addition, it is harder for unmarried couples to share benefits such as health insurance or death benefits and this could lead to a spike in marriages for financial purposes down the road.
However, the decline in marriage rates has been building for a long time and 2012 marked the first time that unmarried adults outnumbered married adults. Granted, this came on the heels of the financial crisis, but it also points to a broader change in marriage and, by extension, divorce.
While it remains an open question as to whether divorce rates will continue fall, the fact remains that divorce has become less common in recent years and the factors listed above are widely believed to be some of the reasons for this phenomenon.
All relationships work around contracts whether written or verbal whether they in marriage, business or even as simple as errands. All agreements are made mutually which means that both partners come with a moral obligation to fulfill the agreement. It, however, comes a time when partners agree mutually to discharge one another form an agreement which is known as the rescission of contract. There are a number of situations that may call for the termination of a contract for both partners and this simply means that the partners will no longer have to work within the stipulations of the contract unless a new one is written. It is important to understand that the rescission of contract is not always done mutually before the signing due to impending factors.
One partner can seek the termination of a contract as long as the grounds are within the stipulations of the present contract. The reasons may vary right from a simple announcement due to the change of interests or fraud from one of the partners amounting to . It is at this point that these agreements get really complicated needing the intervention of a master lawyer to help through. A lawyer may come in on either side to help the partners get redress in the issue.
A partner that feels that the colleague has breached the contract can use these grounds to get out of an agreement and in the process sue for damages. The other partner can also sue for damages if the case is proven otherwise working against the initial complainer. A lawyer may also come in handy if one partner simply feels the urge to move on to other matter and wants to be freed from the contract. The remaining partner can also sue for damages keeping the distressed partner within the legal rights of the agreement.
There are many factors affecting this kind of case ranging from the time taken to act on the case from either partner to the intentions of both partners. These cases are often settled out of court by most partners in a mutual agreement signed and enforced by the lawyers or after one pays off the damages to the other compensating them for leaving before the stipulated time or out of the limits of the contract.
A good lawyer will access the situation and help both partners reach a mutual agreement for the benefit of both by the end of the day.
Divorce is a financial and emotional nightmare. However, when international laws are applied, things tend to get even more complicated for foreign nationals and expatriates.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreement Reviews
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements play a key role in divorce proceedings. Devised with divorce in mind, these reviews are especially important abroad.
It’s the agreement itself that’s very likely to dictate the exact court that is to be in charge of divorce proceedings and that can hugely simplify the process. However, the level of significance of the agreement varies depending on the country. While in some countries, the prenuptial and postnuptial agreements carry great weight in determining which court will be responsible for divorce proceedings, others are more reliant on other factors.
The Question of Jurisdiction
A prime example of the upsides of being a part of the European Union, the set of rules that apply to divorce proceedings jurisdiction has made things simple for the EU member states, when it comes to divorce proceedings.
Complications arise, however, if the couple that is filing for divorce is living outside the boundaries of the EU and/or are foreign country nationals. In these cases, it’s possible that more than one court is eligible to oversee the case. This depends on the regular place of residence and/or other relation to a country. The actual problem here arises due to the fact that some countries have different laws and regulations.
On another hand, there is a possibility for a party to try and push for the divorce location which will get them a better settlement. Location and the number of children are important factors in determining both the proceedings’ location and the settlement itself.
This is further dependent on the location where the majority of couple’s mutual assets are located and the asset liquidity plays a vital role here.
The Matter of Children
The proceedings abroad tend to get complicated even further, once the matter of children is introduced into the equation.
Divorce is an extremely emotional experiences and, when it comes to their children, parents tend to get overprotective and, without thinking clearly, step out of boundaries of law. The most common issue here is where a parent takes their child or children to the parent’s own home country. This impulsive act can easily turn into a serious criminal offence, bringing along serious allegations such as child abduction, regardless of whether or not a child was willing to be taken by a parent in question.
While Canada is a good example of the ‘equal rights marriage policy’ which the country’s law fully abides by, most countries’ laws state that children are obligated to live with their mother, up to a certain age, which is why the proceedings tend to go smoother, as long as both of the parties agree on important issues (financial or child custody and support-related).
An uncontested divorce in Oregon, for example, is far easier to achieve if both parents agree on the modification of the Child Support Review Process (CSRP). This will likely make the entire proceedings go smoother, as well as quicker.
The reasons to come to an agreement outside of the court, when it comes to divorce, are sometimes heavily related to the harshness of laws in certain states. When you file divorce in California, for example, the wage withholding court order is put into force. It makes the employee of the parent, who doesn’t have the physical custody of the child, responsible for taking the child support out of the employee’s paycheck. This tends to cause further complications, especially in cases where courts of different countries or states are involved.
A well thought-out plan should account for any arrangements for the ‘non-resident’ parent to remain in contact with their children.
Divorce tends to be even more difficult when foreign nationals and expatriates are involved, than it is in regular cases. Naturally, seeking proper legal advice is always a good way to go, especially when a variety of specific and international laws are applied. Mutual agreement is the best way to handle a divorce abroad.
When Late Late Show host James Corden asked if Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher had already gotten married, the actress responded: “Maybe.”
Then James Corden asked to see Mila Kunis’ left ring finger and she flashed what looked like a wedding band at the audience, according to the Daily Mirror.
“They are married, look!” said James Corden, who had reportedly asked during a commercial break if he could reveal her secret.
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Last month, Ellen DeGeneres got a similarly indefinite response when she tried to get Mila Kunis to admit whether she and Ashton Kutcher had tied the knot already.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher welcomed a daughter, Wyatt, in September 2014.
Ashton Kutcher had already hinted at a union between the pair. In January, he posted a message written in sand, which was signed “The Kutchers”.
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Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter got married on Valentine’s Day, the actor’s publicist has confirmed.
The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony with family and close friends on the Isle of Wight.
Guests at event are said to have included Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman.
Sophie Hunter, 36, first met Benedict Cumberbatch, 38, when they appeared together in the 2009 film Burlesque Fairytales.
Benedict Cumberbatch shunned the token celebrity Instagram post to announce their engagement in an eight-line notice in the Times newspaper in November.
He has been shortlisted for an Oscar for his role as mathematician and Second World War code breaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.
Benedict Cumberbatch previously dated actress Olivia Poulet and designer Anna Jones.
Benedict Cumberbatch and his fiancée Sophie Hunter are set to get married over the Valentine’s weekend.
The couple is expected to tie the knot in a private ceremony with family and close friends in the south of England.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter shunned the token celebrity Instagram post of an engagement ring to announce their engagement in a small notice in the Times newspaper back in November.
Sophie Hunter, 36, first met Benedict Cumberbatch, 38, when they appeared together in the 2009 film Burlesque Fairytales.
Benedict Cumberbatch has been shortlisted for an Oscar for his role as mathematician and Second World War code breaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.
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Johnny Depp and Amber Heard got married on February 3 at their Los Angeles home.
They legally wed in the US days before they are set to exchange vows on his private island Little Hall’s Pond Cay in the Bahamas.
Johnny Depp, 51, and Amber Heard, 28, are slated to have a slightly bigger island wedding reception over the February 7-8 weekend, with around 50 guests, including the actor’s kids with Vanessa Paradis, Lily Rose and Jack.
Some family members and friends will stay at Johnny Depp’s house on the island, while others will camp out on his 156-foot yacht Vajoliroja.
Amber Heard will walk down the aisle in a Stella McCartney wedding dress. It’s not known, at this time, what the bride and groom wore for their more private wedding on February 3.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard started dating in 2012 after meeting on the set of The Rum Diary and got engaged in January 2014.
The wedding marks the first marriage for Amber Heard and the second for Johnny Depp, who was married to Lori Anne Allison from 1993 to 1995.
Johnny Depp was in a long relationship with Vanessa Paradis, with whom he had his children, before they split up in 2012.
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Elton John has announced that he is to marry his partner David Furnish after a change in the law in England and Wales to allow same-gender weddings for the first time.
Elton John told Today Show: “We’ll do it very quietly. But we will do it and it will be a joyous occasion.”
David Furnish also told the Las Vegas Review-Journal the ceremony would take place in an English register office in May.
Elton John and David Furnish have been in a civil partnership since 2005 but the law changed on Saturday to allow marriage.
Elton John is to marry his partner David Furnish in May
“I’m very proud of Britain and the laws that we’ve seen come into existence since we’ve been together,” Elton John said.
“Having our civil partnership was an incredible breakthrough for people that have campaigned for a long time – through the ’60s and the ’50s in England when it was so hard to be gay and hard to be open about it. And it was a criminal act.
“So for this legislation to come through is joyous, and we should celebrate it. We shouldn’t just say, <<Oh, well we have a civil partnership. We’re not going to bother to get married>>. We will get married.”
David Furnish added: “We don’t feel the need to take an extra step legally. But since we’re committed for life, we feel it’s really important to take that step, and take advantage of that amazing change in legislation. We all live by example.”
Sir Elton John and David Furnish have two sons together – Zachary, born in 2010, and Elijah, born in 2013.
Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila Putina have announced their marriage is over.
The Russian president and his wife, who had been married for 30 years, made their divorce public on Russian state television after attending a ballet performance.
“It was a joint decision: we hardly see each other, each of us has our own life”, Vladimir Putin said.
Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Putina had rarely been seen in public in recent months, prompting much speculation in Russian media.
She is known to dislike publicity, and told the TV reporter that flying was difficult for her.
The divorce was “civilized” and the couple would “always remain close”, she said.
“I am very grateful to Vladimir… that he still supports me. And the children, he really cares for them and the children feel this,” Lyudmila Putina added.
Vladimir Putin confirmed on TV that the two were no longer living together.
Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila Putina have announced their marriage is over
Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila Shkrebneva were married in 1983. They have two daughters, Maria and Yekaterina, both in their 20s.
“Our children have grown up; they have their own lives,” Lyudmila Putina added.
She and Vladimir Putin were last seen together at his inauguration for his third term as president on 7 May 2012.
Neither clarified whether or not their marriage had been legally dissolved.
Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said: “They separated a long time ago. I don’t know if the divorce has been formalized but I can confirm that we are talking about a civilized divorce.”
The announcement came after the couple had gone to see the ballet Esmeralda at the Kremlin Palace – they left after the first act.
Thursday’s announcement confirms what had been rumored for years, that the Putins were having marital problems.
But the news has still come as a shock to many Russians, who are not used to their leaders getting divorced.
The Putins’ marriage has been the subject of speculation before.
In 2008, Vladimir Putin denied rumors that he had secretly divorced and was planning to remarry former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabayeva.
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New reports claim that Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively is now a married lady after saying “I do” to partner Ryan Reynolds.
Blake Lively, 25, and Ryan Reynolds, 35, have only been dating for a year, a rather long stretch by Tinseltown’s consideration.
The actress is believed to have walked down the aisle at a private ceremony this evening at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, just outside of Charleston, reports People.
The publication states that the reception took place in a white tent, with good friend and chart-topper Florence Welch performing three songs before a DJ took over to spin decks at the party.
It was also confirmed that a cake had been driven down from Virginia for the event.
New reports claim that Blake Lively is now a married lady after saying I do to partner Ryan Reynolds
Despite high-profile romances with Gossip Girl co-star Penn Badgley – whom she dated for three years – and a brief flirtation with Leonardo DiCaprio, it is the first time Blake Lively has been married.
Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds has already tried his hand at domestic bliss with Scarlett Johansson.
The Proposal heartthrob tied the knot to Scarlett Johansson in September 2008, before separating just two years later when he filed for divorce in December 2010.
In July, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds sparked speculation that they had already married after a blundering law enforcer made an error while filling paperwork on a police report.
According to TMZ, the document was made after an officer attended their posh $2 million New York home on July 8, following a complaint by Ryan Reynolds that he was being followed by a photographer.
The report stated: “Upon arrival, I spoke to Ryan Reynolds and his wife,” with the name of the individual in question blanked out.
In addition, it read: “They explained that this (blank) colored vehicle was observed outside their residence, and proceeded to follow their vehicle in an erratic manner.
“They believed that this individual was a photographer attempting to obtain pictures of them.
“Mr. Reynolds and his wife were advised to contact police should any persons enter their property.”
The couple is believed to have grown close while shooting box office bomb Green Lantern together in the spring of 2010, in which Blake Lively starred as his love interest.
Before the big day, Blake Lively hinted on her Twitter page that her romance was “the dream of a lifetime”.
She wrote: “You are living in a dream of your own creation.
“Let it be the dream of a lifetime, for that is exactly what it is.”
Blake Lively later added: “Just because you’re not the prettiest girl around doesn’t mean you’re not worth it, doesn’t mean you’re not beautiful. #BECAUSEYOUARE.”
While she was initially the lesser known star, largely due to being 10 years Ryan Reynolds’ junior and only just carving out a career for herself, her notoriety has soared over the last year.
After starring in The Town in 2010, alongside Ben Affleck, it seems film bosses started taking notice of the pretty blonde and realized she wasn’t just a one-trick pony destined for teenage TV dramas.
Blake Lively was soon snapped up by the infamous Oliver Stone, for gritty thriller Savages, promoting it relentlessly this summer with appearances on all the major television sofas.
Ryan Reynolds’ popularity has wavered over the years, with his performance high back in 2009’s The Proposal opposite Sandra Bullock, which became the highest grossing romantic comedy of that year.
He has since guest-starred in Ted with Mila Kunis and Mark Wahlberg, as well as loaning his vocals to animated film Turbo, and taking centre stage in 2013 release R.I.P.D.
Myla Sinanaj, Kris Humphries ex-girlfriend, is pregnant with NBA star’s baby, it has been reported.
Myla Sinanaj is believed to have dated Kris Humphries, 27, following his split from wife of 72 days Kim Kardashian.
She is allegedly three months along and has claimed she is certain that Kris Humphries is the father, according to TMZ.
TMZ claims that Myla Sinanaj is planning on keeping the baby, but reportedly does not want Kris Humphries to play a part in the child’s life.
Myla Sinanaj allegedly feels Kris Humphries has betrayed her by speaking about their relationship in the past.
Myla Sinanaj, Kris Humphries ex-girlfriend, is pregnant with NBA star’s baby, it has been reported
As Kim Kardashian, 31, and Kris Humphries’ divorce disposition gets underway, the reality star could utilize the news of Myla Sinanaj’s pregnancy to her benefit in proceedings.
Kris Humphries has stated that he suffered emotionally following the break-up, but Myla Sinanaj’s pregnancy serves to show that he in fact moved on quickly.
While Myla Sinanaj has apparently claimed she wants to raise the child alone, she has reportedly been having lots of contact with her former flame in recent weeks.
But TMZ alleges that Myla Sinanaj is yet to tell Kris Humphries about her pregnancy.
Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian’s divorce is already getting messy and the athlete has been grilled by Kim’s legal team as he pursues claims she defrauded him for publicity.
He is said to have denied allegations he confided in Myla Sinanaj following the breakdown of the former couple’s marriage.
Sources connected to Myla Sinanaj told TMZ he confided to her about his relationship with Kim Kardashian.
The source said Kris Humphries claimed he “knew” that Kim Kardashian had “cheated” on him with new boyfriend Kanye West when the rapper failed to make their wedding guest list.
According to TMZ, Kris Humphries also told Myla Sinanaj that Kim Kardashian’s mother instructed her to make the sex tape with her ex-boyfriend Ray J in 2007 that launched her to fame.
Karen Marley, a divorced woman and a self-confessed serial mistress from UK, has had affairs with 50 married men over the past six years – and has no plans to change her habit.
“Married men are better trained,” she said in an interview with the Mirror.
“They have had all their rough edges sanded off by their wives and know how to behave around a lady. And married men are better in bed.”
Karen Marley says she has learned that a man who is still single into his 40s is single for a reason: either he has no social etiquette whatsoever or he’s a player, just looking for his next wrestle.
“A single guy I was on a date with licked his plate in a restaurant,” Karen Marley, 45, says.
“A married man would never do that because his wife would knock his head off his shoulders.”
Karen Marley is one of a growing number of women signing up to IllicitEncounters.com, a dating site for married people.
Women can join for free but men are charged £134 ($215) a month to find a mistress having consciously made a decision to have an affair.
Karen Marley, a divorced woman and a self-confessed serial mistress from UK, has had affairs with 50 married men over the past six years -
Karen Marley justifies her behavior by saying she doesn’t want to steal the husbands away from their wives – she simply wants to “borrow” them.
“Their wives should be grateful when it’s me their husbands choose,” she says.
“I’m the perfect mistress. I am never going to ask them to leave their wives for me. Most mistresses do, but not me. If I asked him to leave his wife, in every argument from then on he would say: <<Do you know what I gave up for you?>> I don’t ever want to be part of that.
“In fact, when one of my men confessed about me to his wife and told me his marriage was over, I finished our affair. I was horrified. I don’t want to steal someone’s else husband for good, just borrow him for a while.
“I know how to behave as a mistress – and I don’t just mean in bed. I would never ring one of my married men at home at 2am or the weekend because that’s their time with their family.
“I would never throw a hissy fit if they don’t spend Valentine’s, Easter or Christmas with me. We both know exactly what the goalposts are. That’s the beauty of it all.”
Karen Marley has been confronted by a couple of angry wives who suspected she was sleeping with their husbands.
She insisted that she was merely friends with the men and stopped seeing them immediately. She feels no guilt about her behaviou because she says the men on the site have already made a conscious decision to have an affair before meeting her.
“I am not the reason for their marital problems,” she says.
“Also it costs so much to join, so you get a certain quality of man.”
Indeed, despite the current economic slump in the UK, Illicit Encounters have reported that business is booming – with the number of new members up by 27,000 in the last two months.
Experts say that that cheating websites are popular because many unhappily married couples simply cannot afford to get divorced in the current economic climate.
The stagnant housing market, growing family debt – up 58% to an average of £9,314 ($15,000) per family this year – and the average cost of divorce – £13,000 ($21,000) – are forces behind the wide-spread shift to infidelity.
Many new Illicit Encounters members stated on their application forms that they were joining because they were in unhappy marriages that they were unable to get out of in what is now a “double-dip” recession.
Illicit Encounters spokesperson Rosie Freeman-Jones said: “Many couples are now finding themselves trapped in unhappy marriages because they simply cannot afford to divorce.
“It’s not just legal fees. It’s the fact they can’t sell their houses since the market is so stagnant. Worse, some are in a position of negative equity. A surprisingly high number of people who have recently joined have said that they count their marriages as over already and would have already got a divorce by now if they could only afford it. Having an affair is treated almost as a practical, rather than a romantic, decision.”
Mistresses like Karen Marley are reaping the benefit from this boom in cheating. Karen Marley insists it is not money she is after. She makes her own living as a writer, and most of her relationships with men on Illicit Encounters are nothing more than short flings.
She says: “When husbands are on loan to me they almost revert back to being in their 20s because that’s often the last time they dated. We go to the theatre and do all the things married couple no longer do because they’ve already done it.
“I get the good bits of married men. During our time together, it’s the wife who is the other woman.”
Karen Marley divorced her husband 11 years ago, but says she is happier flitting from one man to the next rather than finding Mr. Right.
“I know married life isn’t for me. But I know that married men have the qualities I am looking for.”
Britney Spears and Jason Alexander were married for a mere 55 hours in 2004 before their union was annulled, and now he has opened up about their short-lived marriage, insisting that he was in love with the singer.
In a new interview with ABC’s 20/20 show, Jason Alexander says that the decision to end the marriage had not been his.
He said: “I was in love with her. … I feel like she felt the same way.”
Jason Alexander said that when they broke the news of the marriage to Britney Spears’ management team: “They didn’t want to hear anything … and [Spears] came back, and it ended. That was pretty wild.”
In the annulment papers for the marriage, it was claimed that Britney Spears “lacked understanding of her actions, to the extent that she was incapable of agreeing to the marriage”.
But Jason Alexander says of that claim: “Bull***t. That was probably the hardest part about it. I had obviously got my feelings involved.”
Jason Alexander has opened up about his short-lived marriage to Britney Spears, insisting that he was in love with the singer
Asked what he had learned from the marriage, Jason Alexander replied: “Nice guys finish last. Look out for yourself.
“If you are going to really get involved into a relationship with a celebrity and you are just an average Joe, make sure you are thinking business!”
Following the annulment, Britney Spears said in an interview: “It was me being silly, being rebellious.”
Since the annulment, Britney Spears has been married to dancer Kevin Federline, the father of her two sons, and is now engaged to marry her former agent Jason Trawick.
However, Jason Alexander spoke last year about Britney Spears’ engagement to Jason Trawick, labelling it “fake”.
Jason Alexander said: “I know everyone wants me to be happy about this, but I am not. I think it’s fake and I think people are afraid to say it.
“They look like they are going through the motions. It seems like an answer to the court thing. Sort of a nice way to sew it all up she marries her handler.”
Heidi Klum and Seal have released an official joint statement confirming the end of their seven-year marriage.
Reports emerged on Saturday that the pair were to divorce amid claims Heidi Klum was fed up with Seal’s “hard partying”.
In the official statement, the couple blamed their split on “growing apart”.
Heidi Klum and Seal’ statement read: “While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy years of marriage, after much soul-searching we have decided to separate.
“We have had the deepest respect for one another throughout our relationship and continue to love each other very much, but we have grown apart.
“This is an amicable process and protecting the well-being of our children remains our top priority, especially during this time of transition.
“We thank our family, friends, and fans for their kind words of support. And for our children’s sake, we appreciate you respecting our privacy.”
After marrying at his beachfront home in Mexico in 2005, Seal and Heidi Klum kept their promise to renew their vows every year on their anniversary with their close friends and family.
Heidi Klum and Seal have three children together – Henry, 6, Johan, 5, and Lou, 2 – as well as Heidi’s daughter Leni, 7, from a previous relationship with Italian businessman Flavio Briatore.
The tension in their relationship is believed to have started when the pair holidayed with their three children in Ibiza in August.
A source told the Sunday Mirror: “They were always the couple everybody strived to be but lately it all started to change. Seal seems to have been partying a lot more often than usual.
“When they had their holiday in Ibiza last summer, Seal hit it hard, was out at clubs and with his friends a lot and Heidi was left with their kids trying to enjoy herself. The cracks were appearing and everybody was talking during that trip. He seemed off the rails.”
The source added: “They’ve spent a lot of time apart too on work assignments and that hasn’t helped matters.
“Then when Seal came back to the UK to do promotional work for his next album, he seemed sleepy and not with it on shows like Loose Women, when he was very late for his appearance.”
Another source told The Sun today: “The marriage ended months ago in reality. They rarely saw each other and it wouldn’t be unusual for them to go months without spending any real quality time together. Ships that pass in the night would be an overstatement.”
38-year-old German-born Heidi Klum is reportedly expected to file papers at Los Angeles’ County Superior Court this week citing “irreconcilable differences”.
48-year-old Seal – real name Seal Henry Samuel – left a cryptic message posted on his Twitter page on Friday that read: “The End.”
The message was attached to a picture that appeared to show the star’s forearm bearing an imprint of a set of wings – a possible reference to Heidi Klum’s role as a Victoria’s Secret winged “Angel” model.
On December 26, Heidi Klum posted a picture on Twitter of the couple on the slopes in Aspen
The split paves the way for a multi-million-dollar divorce battle between the golden couple.
Heidi Klum, one of the world’s most in-demand models, is reported to have earned more than $18 million in the past year alone.
Seal, who is best known for his Kiss From A Rose single, has sold more than 20 million albums and won three Brit Awards and three Grammys in a career spanning 20 years.
The couple owns a home in Mexico and an $13 million mansion in Los Angeles. Yesterday there was no sign of them at the LA house, which is set in an exclusive gated community in Mandeville Canyon, in the Hollywood Hills.
Their neighbours include Hollywood actor Ben Affleck and actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.
On Wednesday, Seal was in London to pre-record a performance of his new single Backstabbers for Jonathan Ross’s ITV chat show, which was broadcast on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Heidi Klum was alone as she attended the Golden Globes awards in Hollywood last Sunday.
News of the split comes just weeks after the couple posed, apparently happily, for a photo on a skiing holiday in Colorado.
On December 26, Heidi Klum posted a picture on Twitter of the couple on the slopes in Aspen with the caption “Sun and Snow and @Seal”. Heidi Klum divorced her first husband, stylist Ric Pipino after five years together in 2002 and met Seal a year later in 2003.
At the time she had just split from Formula 1 billionaire Flavio Briatore.
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Katy Perry and Russell Brand marriage was called into question when they decided to spend Christmas 7,000 miles apart.
According to some reports, it has been suggested the couple’s separation over the festive period was because of a huge argument.
Us Weekly reports that a source close to the couple said: “They had a massive fight. She was like, <<F*** you. I’m going to do my own thing.>>”
The source also said that Russell Brand replied: “Fine, f*** you too.”
“They haven’t split up just yet, but things are not good. The fighting is getting worse.”
Katy Perry and Russell Brand marriage was called into question when they decided to spend Christmas 7,000 miles apart
Katy Perry, 27, was seen lapping up the fine weather in Hawaii with a group of friends while comedian Russell Brand was seen in a pub in Cornwall, England.
The couple were said to have planned Christmas together with reports Katy Perry was going to jet her family in a private plane over to the UK to celebrate together.
But while they are said to have had a big row, which saw then spend Christmas apart, there is little explanation of the nature of the “disagreement”.
Katy Perry and Russell Brand, who married in October last year after a whirlwind romance, have gone out of their way lately to quash speculation that their marriage is on shaky ground.
That good work however may be undone by the fact Katy Perry wasn’t wearing her wedding ring as she frolicked in the sea with friends.
Katy Perry has previously used Twitter to dismiss marriage rumors. She tweeted: “Just cause we don’t flaunt our relationship doesn’t mean there’s something wrong w/it. Privacy is our luxury.”
Russell Brand reportedly spent his Christmas in a Cornwall pub before joining his friend David Baddiel’s charity swim.
In November, Russell Brand’s mother Barbara had tweeted she was looking forward to spending the festive season with her son and daughter-in-law.
Barbara Brand wrote on Twitter: “Spoke to Russell and Katy, they are so happy, it’s lovely. We will all be together for Christmas.”
Apparently, Russell Brand had also arranged for his mother and father in law, Keith and Mary Hudson, to fly into the UK on December 18th so they could all spend the holidays together.
Both The Sun and People magazine reported that Russell Brand and Katy Perry have rented properties in the respective beauty spots for the festivities.
And while People quotes a source that places Russell Brand in Kauai, it points out that he was never pictured on the beach with his wife.
The British actor was also spotted at Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park last Tuesday without his wife.
Russell Brand addressed the recent speculation that his one-year marriage has hit a rough patch on The Ellen DeGeneres Show earlier this month.
When told about the frenzied split speculation, Russell Brand jokingly replied: “What?! She should have told me!”
And added: “I’ve treated the whole internet now as a wicked little liar. I am really happily married.
“Being famous is like a little bit of you is taken away and goes off and lives on its own and does what it wants.
“I wish it would do more interesting things.
“I don’t know what is doing, but I’m married to Katy.
“Perpetually, until death do us part was the pledge. I’m still alive.”
When asked about starting a family, Russell Brand said he would like to have children with Katy Perry.
“I would like one. I love those little babies in the beginning,” he said.
Until then, the couple are content with being godparents to twin boys.
“I’m just observing them like I’m a scientist,” Russell Brand said of his godchildren.
“So I can learn from them. Me and Katy are their godparents, which means we’re responsible for their spiritual growth. Should be interesting…”
