Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has revealed that he and his wife, Sophie Grégoire, have decided to end their marriage after being together for 18 years. In a statement, Trudeau stated that despite the separation, they intend to maintain a close family bond, characterized by love and respect for each other.
Sophie equally put a similar statement on social media:
Justin and Sophie Trudeau share three children: 15-year-old Xavier, 14-year-old Ella-Grace and 9-year-old Hadrien.
The Prime Minister’s Office also released a statement saying “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,” Trudeau’s office added.
Trudeau and Grégoire first met as children growing up in Montreal, where Grégoire was a classmate and friend of the future PM’s youngest brother, Michel.
They reconnected as adults, in 2003, when Grégoire, who had become a television personality in Quebec, was given the job as Trudeau’s co-host for a charity ball. Months afterward, they began dating, and in October 2004 they became engaged.
The couple tied the knot on May 28, 2005 at Montreal’s Sainte-Madeleine d’Outremont Church.