After seven years of marriage, Jennifer Lopez, 41, and Marc Anthony, 42, announced to the world late afternoon Friday (July 15) the surprising news that they were separating, reports Us magazine.
“We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters,” according to a joint statement from the couple. “It is a painful time for all involved, and we appreciate the respect of our privacy at this time.”
More recently, Anthony was notably absent at the BAFTA gala hosted by visiting royals, William and Kate. Lopez, who was not wearing her ring, brought her mother as her date.
Both of Puerto Rican heritage, the two stars were friends for years before marrying quietly at Lopez’s home in 2004, shortly after she broke off her engagement to Ben Affleck, and less than a week after Anthony finalized his divorce from former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres, mother of his two sons, Cristian, 10, and Ryan, 7.
Lopez and Anthony became the parents of fraternal twins Max and Emme, born on February 22, 2008, and the couple renewed their vows in 2008 and 2010.
This was Lopez’s third marriage; in 1998 she married restaurateur Ojani Noa, from 2001 to 2003 she was married to dancer Cris Judd, after that she dated musician-entrepeneur Sean ‘Diddy’ Coombs, and actor Ben Affleck. Anthony also has a daughter Ariana, 17, with ex-girlfriend NYC police officer Debbie Rosado.