Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Announces Separation From Wife Sophie After 18 Years Of Marriage

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie have announced separation after 18 years of marriage.

Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, announced Wednesday that they are separating after 18 years of marriage. The two said in statements posted on Instagram that they made the decision after 'many meaningful and difficult conversations.'

A statement from the prime minister's office said both have signed a legal separation agreement. The couple were married in 2005.  They have three children, 15-year-old Xavier, 14-year-old Ella-Grace and 9-year-old Hadrien.

"They remain a close family and Sophie and the prime minister are focused on raising their kids in a safe, loving and collaborative environment," the statement from his office said. "The family will be together on vacation, beginning next week."

His office requested respect for their privacy.

They have been seen together publicly less frequently in recent years, though they attended the coronation of King Charles III together in May and hosted US President Joe Biden in Canada in March. The two began dating in 2003 when Gregoire Trudeau was working as a TV personality.

Trudeau is the second prime minister to announce a separation while in office. His father, Pierre Trudeau, separated from his wife Margaret in 1979, and the two divorced in 1984.

Justin Trudeau channelled the star power of his Liberal icon father when he first won office in 2015. Scandals, voter fatigue and economic inflation have taken a toll on his popularity after eight years in power.