Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces divorce from wife Sophie Gregoire

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (51) announced on his social media account that he and his wife of 18 years, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau (48), have decided to divorce. In an Instagram post, the 51-year-old Trudeau stated that after 'many meaningful and difficult conversations,' the couple has made the decision to separate. Justin Trudeau, the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, married Sophie Gregoire on May 28, 2005, in Montreal. Last year, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau mentioned in anniversary posts that the couple navigates through 'sunny days, stormy weather, and everything in between,' and acknowledged that long-term relationships can be 'challenging in many ways.' In his statement, Prime Minister Trudeau said, 'Hello, everyone. Sophie and I want to share with you that after many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have decided to separate. We will always be a close family, and continue to love and respect each other deeply. We are asking for privacy for ourselves and our children as we focus on their well-being. Thank you.' The Trudeau couple, who have been married for 18 years, have three children: 15-year-old Xavier, 14-year-old Ella-Grace, and 9-year-old Hadrien. As the news of their divorce shook the world agenda, some details about the separation have started to emerge. According to reports, the couple's three children will continue to live at the Rideau Cottage, the prime ministerial residence located in Ottawa, where Trudeau resides. Only 4 months before the announcement of the divorce, Trudeau had celebrated his wife Sophie's birthday with a loving post on his social media account, saying, 'I don't want anyone else beside me. I love you, my love.' Trudeau's announcement of divorce shortly after this post raised speculations of infidelity. The couple, who started dating in 2003 and got married in 2005, had faced infidelity rumors many years ago as well. In a TV program he attended in 2014, just before assuming the prime ministerial office, Trudeau's response to a question about infidelity had sparked much discussion. In the interview, Trudeau had said, 'Our marriage is not perfect. We have had very difficult times, ups and downs. But despite everything, Sophie remains my best friend, my partner, and my love.' He also stated, 'Even though it may hurt sometimes, we always choose to be honest with each other.' When the host asked about the phrase 'ups and downs' and whether it referred to extramarital relationships, Trudeau hesitated and replied, 'No.' However, rumors did not die down at that time. Trudeau had mentioned that his wife dislikes his job, saying, 'I have a stressful job. Balancing my private life with my work can sometimes be very challenging. Still, I love my job, but Sophie hates me for loving my job.' Just a few months after these statements, Sophie gave an interview addressing the infidelity rumors. She said, 'You can ask us if there was infidelity in our marriage, but I cannot give you a yes or no answer.' Her statement caused a significant stir at the time. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister's Spokesperson Alison Murphy stated, 'They have taken all the necessary legal and ethical steps regarding their separation, and they will continue to do so in the future.'