Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau have decided to separate after 18 years of marriage.. Sophie TrudeauSophie Gregoire Trudeau .Sophie released a statement saying “Justin 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 and for everything we have built and will continue to build,” said the statement..Sophie and Justin did ask that their children’s privacy is respected. .“For the well-being of our children, we ask that you respect our and their privacy,” said the statement.. Sophie Trudeau Instagram post .Justin posted a similar statement to Instagram..The Trudeaus have three children, Xavier, 15, Ella-Grace, 14, and Hadrien, nine..In a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), they confirmed that the pair have "signed a legal separation agreement."."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," said Alison Murphy, PMO spokesperson, in the statement..The Trudeau’s said they "focused on raising their kids in a safe, loving and collaborative environment" and "a constant presence in their children’s lives.".Canadians will "often see the family together and they plan to be together on vacation, beginning next week.".The Trudeaus are going to share custody of their children..Justin will keep living at Rideau Cottage and the children will continue to stay there to ensure stability for the foreseeable future..Sophie relocated to a different home in Ottawa..Even though Sophie has her own home, she will still spend time at Rideau Cottage with her children and reside there when Justin is travelling..Justin met Sophie in 2003 when she was an entertainment journalist and their wedding happened in May 2005 in Montreal..This is the first time a prime minister has separated since Trudeau's father Pierre Elliott Trudeau divorced his mother Margaret Trudeau in 1984. That was also the year when Trudeau ended his political career..The reason for the split has yet to be released.
