Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux have announced their separation after two-and-a-half years of marriage.
In a statement first obtained by The Associated Press, the couple said the decision to split “was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year.”
The statement continued, “Normally we would do this privately, but given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly. Whatever else is printed about us that is not directly from us, is someone else’s fictional narrative. Above all, we are determined to maintain the deep respect and love that we have for one another.”
The couple married in August 2015 and have no children together. The first met on the set of 2008’s “Tropic Thunder” but they didn’t start dating until 2011.
Aniston’s love life has been a major point of interest throughout her career. She was previously married to Brad Pitt, whom she divorced in 2005. Almost immediately after their separation, Pitt took up with actress Angelina Jolie — creating a sensational love triangle that served as tabloid fodder for years.
Aniston’s first interview following her split and the Jolie news was a Vanity Fair cover, which still ranks as the magazine’s top-selling issue of all time at nearly 800,000 copies sold. Pitt and Jolie split in September 2016 after 11 years together.
Read the entire statement obtained by TheWrap below.
In an effort to reduce any further speculation, we have decided to announce our separation. This decision was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year. We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship. Normally we would do this privately, but given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly. Whatever else is printed about us that is not directly from us, is someone else’s fictional narrative. Above all, we are determined to maintain the deep respect and love that we have for one another.