On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared on Instagram that he and his wife, Sophie, are parting ways after 18 years of marriage.
Trudeau wrote, “Sophie and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate.”
“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.”
Sophie Grégoire, a former television reporter in Quebec, tied the knot with Trudeau in 2005, and the couple shares three children.
During a 2005 interview with Maclean’s magazine, Trudeau revealed that he and Grégoire-Trudeau first met as adults at the Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ball, where they co-hosted the event. Interestingly, Grégoire had been a childhood friend of Trudeau’s late brother, Michel, who tragically passed away in an avalanche at the age of 23 in 1998. Before their formal introduction, Grégoire had spent time at the Trudeau family’s residence, deepening their connection.
Speaking about his newlywed wife at the time, Trudeau expressed, “We laughed, we joked and there was a definite chemistry between us.”
The couple got engaged in October 2004 and exchanged vows on May 28, 2005, during a beautiful ceremony at Montreal’s Sainte-Madeleine d’Outremont Church.
Trudeau has consistently expressed admiration for his wife in public over the years. In April, on her birthday, the prime minister shared a delightful pair of selfies with his wife on social media, showcasing their affectionate bond.
The caption read, “From this to this, and everything in between, there’s no one I’d rather have by my side.”
On Mother’s Day, Trudeau expressed heartfelt appreciation for his wife and mother, lauding them as “two of the strongest, bravest, and greatest people we know.”
He wrote, “The kids and I love you both so very much. Happy Mother’s Day.”
The prime minister’s office released a statement confirming that Trudeau, aged 51, and Sophie, aged 48, have formalized their separation with a signed legal agreement. The statement emphasized that both have been diligent in adhering to all legal and ethical protocols concerning their decision to separate and will continue to do so in the future.
‘This is really sad’: Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau draw attention and sympathy as they announce separation https://t.co/MbPbfDk3qT
— Toronto Star (@TorontoStar) August 2, 2023
The statement from the prime minister’s office said, “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 family will be together on vacation beginning next week.”
