Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and wife separate after 18 years of marriage

Toronto, Canada, Aug 2 (EFE).- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire, on Wednesday announced that they have decided to separate after 18 years of marriage.

The couple announced their decision via their individual Instagram accounts.

Shortly after the announcement, the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement in which it said that the pair “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.”

“They remain a close family and Sophie and the Prime Minister are focused on raising their kids in a safe, loving and collaborative environment,” Trudeau’s office, requesting privacy for the family, said. “The family will be together on vacation, beginning next week.”

The message posted by Trudeau on Instagram said that “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 for everything we have built and will continue to build,” Trudeau added.

Gregoire posted the same text in French on her Instagram account.

The 51-year-old Trudeau and Gregoire, 48, married in 2005 and have three children – Xavier, 16; Hadrien, 14; and Ella-Grace, 9.

EFE –/bp