In a heartfelt statement to *People*, Jessica Simpson, 44, and her husband, Eric Johnson, 45, have confirmed that they have separated after a decade of marriage.
The couple, who have three children together, made the announcement on Monday,
revealing that they have been living separately as they navigate a difficult phase in their relationship.
“Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson shared with *People*.
“Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them.
We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”
The couple, who tied the knot in 2014, share three children: daughter Maxwell, 12, son Ace, 11, and daughter Birdie, 5. Simpson and Johnson’s separation has come as a shock to fans who have been closely following their relationship over the years.
Fans began to notice signs of trouble in the marriage when Simpson stopped sharing photos with her husband on social media. Since 2023, the fashion mogul had not posted any pictures featuring Johnson, leading some followers to speculate that their relationship was on the rocks. Additionally, Simpson was seen without her wedding ring in recent posts, which only fueled the rumors. One of her Instagram followers even commented on a post where she was missing her wedding band, “Definitely a divorce.”
In September 2024, Simpson shared a sultry photo of herself in a lace ensemble, sparking more breakup speculation. Fans quickly noticed the absence of her wedding ring, with some commenting, “Wedding ring is gone,” and others expressing their concerns with statements like, “This screams I’m getting divorced.”
In another significant social media moment, Simpson shared a family photo of their children on the first day of school in early September 2024. While she expressed pride in her children’s accomplishments, there was no mention of her husband. Her caption focused on her love and support for her kids: “Maxwell, Ace, and Birdie y’all make your Mom beam with smiles and grace!”
The silence surrounding Johnson in recent posts and the absence of any public acknowledgment of their relationship’s struggles raised red flags among fans, many of whom had grown fond of the couple over the years.
Further fueling speculation about marital difficulties, Simpson hinted at personal struggles in November 2024. In a post that seemed to reflect a transformative period in her life, Simpson shared sultry photos of herself in her Nashville music room, where she teased a musical comeback. She captioned the post, “This comeback is personal, it’s an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve.” This cryptic message led some fans to believe that she was alluding to the challenges in her marriage and her emotional journey.
Simpson’s separation from Johnson marks the second divorce in her life. Before marrying Johnson, she was married to pop singer Nick Lachey from 2002 to 2006. Their relationship was highly publicized and featured in the MTV reality show, *Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica*. Simpson has also had high-profile relationships with singer John Mayer, NFL quarterback Tony Romo, and musicians Billy Corgan, Adam Levine, and actor Johnny Knoxville.
Simpson and Johnson’s relationship had long been seen as a stable and loving one, and their separation has left fans wondering about the reasons behind their decision. While the couple has asked for privacy as they navigate this painful time, Simpson’s social media posts and the absence of her husband in recent family moments suggest that there may have been growing tension in the marriage in recent months.
As the couple moves forward, their priority remains the well-being of their three children. Simpson has expressed gratitude for the support from her fans and is focused on ensuring that their children are taken care of during this challenging time.
Simpson’s statement also emphasized the importance of family as they work through the situation. While it’s clear that the couple’s marriage is facing challenges, fans are hopeful that Simpson and Johnson can find peace as they navigate this next chapter in their lives.
As of now, there are no further details regarding the exact nature of their separation, but Simpson’s fans continue to send their well-wishes, hoping that the family can find healing and comfort in the weeks ahead.
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