Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau are separating after 18 years of marriage. Justin took to Instagram to share the surprising news with the public, sharing a statement in both English and French.
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The former couple still has 'deep love and respect for each other.'
“Hi everyone, Sophie and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate,” the statement noted. “As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build. For the well-being of our children, we ask that you respect our and their privacy. Thank you.”
People confirmed the news of the separation with the prime minister’s office. It told the outlet that the couple “signed a legal separation agreement.”
“They have worked to ensure that all legal and ethical steps with regards to their decision to separate have been taken, and will continue to do so moving forward,” the statement explained.
They will continue to remain close for the sake of their kids.
“They remain a close family and Sophie and the Prime Minister are focused on raising their kids in a safe, loving and collaborative environment. Both parents will be a constant presence in their children’s lives and Canadians can expect to often see the family together.”
Additionally, the statement noted that the family would be taking a vacation together next week.
Sophie also posted about the separation on her personal Instagram account.
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The Canadian prime minister has always openly praised his family.
The couple has been married since 2005 and share three children together: 15-year-old Xavier, 14-year-old Ella-Grace, and 9-year-old Hadrien.
Justin has been open with praise for his children and his wife in the past. When he was reelected in 2021, they were by his side.
“Beyond everything, I want to thank my family,” he began his speech. “Sophie: 12 years ago when we decided to be involved together in politics, it’s because we wanted to defend our values, because we wanted to contribute to build a stronger Canada. And since the beginning, we did that together. Thank you.”
Even recently, they still seemed to be going strong.
For Sophie’s birthday in April, Justin posted pictures of them together to commemorate the occasion.
“Happy birthday, Sophie. From this, to this, and everything in between, there’s no one I’d rather have by my side … I love you, mon amour,” he wrote.
For Mother’s Day in 2023, he praised his wife and mother as two of the “strongest, bravest, and greatest people” in a social media post.
Sophie has also been publicly supportive of her husband.
Sophie made a similar post for Justin in June for Father’s Day, writing: “This man could carry the love he has for his kids anywhere. Dads, never underestimate your role as mentors in your family for your sons and your daughters.”
Justin will be the first prime minister to go through a separation while still in office since his father, former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
Justin’s mother Margaret left his father in 1977, leaving him and her three sons in Canada for a life in New York City. She filed for divorce six years later.
No matter what happens next, we wish the Trudeaus luck as they move through this next phase of life.
