Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an announcement on Wednesday disclosing that he and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau have come to the decision to separate after being married for 18 years. In an Instagram post, Trudeau expressed that they have had deep and challenging discussions before reaching this conclusion.
In a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, it was emphasized that despite their separation, Trudeau and Gregoire-Trudeau will continue to co-parent their three children and remain a close family. Both parents will be a constant presence in their children’s lives. However, they have requested privacy as they embark on a family vacation scheduled for next week.
Trudeau and Gregoire-Trudeau, who were childhood friends, reconnected in 2003 when they cohosted a charity ball. They began dating shortly after and got married in 2005 in Montreal. They share three children together: Xavier, Ella Grace, and Hadrien.
This separation marks the first for a Canadian prime minister since Trudeau’s late father, Pierre Trudeau, went through a similar situation with Margaret Trudeau in the late 1970s.
The news of the separation comes at a challenging time for Trudeau, as his ruling Liberals are facing a tough fight against the opposition Conservatives in the upcoming elections expected before the end of 2025. Last week, Trudeau announced a significant cabinet shakeup to strengthen his economic team in preparation for the campaign.
Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau has been a constant supportive presence by her husband’s side over the past decade, accompanying him to political events. However, in recent years, she has appeared less in public, sometimes expressing the struggles of marriage. Trudeau himself has also acknowledged the difficulties they have faced but referred to Sophie as his best friend, partner, and love.
Despite the challenges, the couple has shared moments of happiness together. On their latest anniversary in May, Trudeau posted a photo on social media of them holding hands as they traveled together, symbolizing their shared journey through life.