Justin Trudeau, 51, divorces wife Sophie after 18 years: ‘We made the decision to separate’
Justin Trudeau, 51, divorces wife Sophie after 18 years: ‘We made the decision to separate’
- Trudeau, 51, and wife Sophie, 48, announced their separation on Instagram
- They have been married since 2005 and have three children
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that he is separating from his wife Sophie after 18 years.
The couple announced the split today on Instagram in matching messages written in both English and French.
His office also released a statement confirming that they had reached a legal agreement.
“They have worked to ensure that all legal and ethical steps related to their decision to separate have been taken, and will continue to do so going forward.
Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau (shown May 6 at King Charles’ coronation) have announced they are separating
“They remain a close-knit family and Sophie and the Prime Minister are focused on raising their children in a safe, loving and collaborative environment.
“The family will go on holiday together from next week,” the statement read.
In his Instagram post, Trudeau, 51, wrote: “Hello everyone,
“Sophie and I would like to share that after many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate.
“As always, we remain a close-knit family with deep love and respect for each other and for all that we have built and will continue to build.
“For the well-being of our children, we ask that you respect our and their privacy.”
The couple have been married since 2005 and have three children, the youngest of whom is nine.
Sophie was a childhood friend and classmate of Trudeau’s older brother Michel, who was killed in an avalanche in 1998 at the age of 23.
Trudeau was last seen on the subway on TTC’s annual Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on July 31, 2023
The Trudeau family at home in 2021. Children Ella-Grace, right, Xavier, center, and Hadrien, left, are pictured
They began dating in 2003 after reconnecting as adults and were engaged a short time after.
Sophie is the Canadian Prime Minister’s first wife.
His own parents’ marriage fueled rampant rumors and speculation.
They separated in 1977 after six years of marriage and divorced in 1984 while his father Pierre Trudeau was in office.
One of the most bawdy rumors surrounding the family was that Trudeau was the love child of Cuban leader Fidel Castro — an unfounded claim his office was forced to deny in 2018.
Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire on their wedding day in 2005