year marriage, a look at celeb couples who called it quits after almost forever
In an announcement no one saw coming, AR Rahman and his wife Saira Banu revealed they are ending their almost 30-year marriage. "After many years of marriage, Saira and her husband A.R. Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate from each other," the couple said in a joint statement via their lawyer Vandana Shah's Instagram.
AR Rahman divorce: music maestro pens poetic note
In his note at midnight on the intervening nights of Tuesday and Wednesday, Rahman poetically wrote, "We had hoped to reach the grand thirty, but all things, it seems, carry an unseen end. Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts. Yet, in this shattering, we seek meaning, though the pieces may not find their place again. To our friends, thank you for your kindness and for respecting our privacy as we walk through this fragile chapter."
AR Rahman's divorce has again brought scrutiny to the fickling celebrity world. As surprising as it may sound, this is not the first time a celebrity couple has announced their separation after almost spending forever together. From Bill and Melinda Gates to Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, a look at celeb couples who ended their long marriages.
After 27 years of togetherness, Bill and Melinda Gates called it quits in 2021. The Microsoft founder, a leading voice of change in the world of tech, and his philanthropist-activist wife headed their own ways with a joint statement on X (known as Twitter back then). The couple, who have three children together, said that they believe they could no longer grow as a couple, but added that they will continue to work together at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Ending their 27-year-long marriage, Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos finalised their high-profile divorce in 2019. One of the costliest separations in the world, their divorce was finalised at roughly $160 billion. The Amazon founder and his former wife in a joint statement mentioned that despite their separation, they will continue to share their lives as friends.
Four years after his divorce from MacKenzie, Bezos found love in entertainment reporter Lauren Sánchez. The new couple are reportedly planning a lavish Christmas wedding in Aspen.
Meryl Streep and Don Gummer
Meryl Streep and her husband Don Gummer separated after 45 years of marriage. In a statement to People in 2023, the rep for the Oscar-winning actor said that the couple, who share four children, ended the romantic nature of their six years ago.
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee
Hugh Jackman Deborra-lee were considered the dictionary definition of couple goals. However, they sent shockwaves across Hollywood with their decision to amicably split in 2023.
star has reportedly been dating theatre actor Sutton Foster, with whom he co-starred on the Broadway revival of The Music Man in 2022.
Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, and Kris Jenner finalised their divorce in 2015 after nearly 24 years of marriage. The American media personality and former Olympian share two children together: Kylie Jenner and Kris Jenner.
Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal tied the knot with Mehr Jesia when he was just 24. They announced their separation in 2019 after over two decades of marriage. The actor shares two daughters, Mahikaa and Myra, with Mehr.
Since 2018, Arjun has been dating fashion designer Gabriella Demetriades. The two have been together since 2018 and share two children.
Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan got divorced in 2014 after over 13 years of marriage. Known as childhood sweethearts, Hrithik and Sussanne married in December 2000 and have two sons – Hrehaan, born in 2006, and Hridhaan, born in 2008.
