After weeks of speculation and rumours, Demi Moore has announced the end of her marriage to Ashton Kutcher. The 49-year-old actress said she'd taken the decision to separate from her husband with "great sadness and a heavy heart". "As a woman, a mother and a wife, there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life". Demi also made a plea for people to respect her privacy during what will be a trying time for her and her family. The couple married in September 2005 and appeared to have one of the most blissfully happy unions in Hollywood, despite a 15-year age gap.
They were famous for their loving and playful exchanges on Twitter. But the rumour mill went into overdrive when the duo spent their wedding anniversary apart – and Ashton refrained from tweeting anything on the day. Instead, he spent the weekend partying in San Diego, where it was alleged he enjoyed a tryst with a 23-year-old woman. As speculation mounted, Demi told followers she was "trying to find the light I lost". She later quoted philosopher Epictetus on her Twitter account, saying: "When we are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger." After initially laying low during the furore, her husband hit back at critics. "When you ASSUME to know that which you know nothing of you make an ASS out of YOU and ME," he tweeted. Meanwhile, they seemed to be battling to save their union and were pictured trying to reconnect during a Kabbalah camping trip.
But despite the show of solidarity, it seemed Demi was considering divorce as early as October when it was reported she had consulted lawyers. It's not the first time that Ashton has been at the centre of infidelity allegations – in 2010 he and Demi brushed off reports of an indiscretion with a united front. "I think Star magazine calling me a cheater qualifies as defamation of character. I hope my lawyer agrees," he tweeted.His wife responded: "Excellent point my love." Sadly, this time around, the situation has played out differently. It will be the third divorce for the actress, who was previously married to Hollywood hard man Bruce Willis for 13 years – her surname comes a short-lived union with musician Freddy Moore in the Eighties. She and Bruce had three daughters together – Rumer, Scout and Tallulah Belle – before divorcing in 2000.
Read more on Demi and Ashton