Mary J Blige has filed for divorce from her husband and former manager Kendu Isaacs. "Ms. Blige is saddened to say it is true that she has filed for divorce, saying sometimes things don't work out how we hoped they would," her publicist Karynne Tencer confirmed in a statement. "But there is a divine plan and a reason for everything."
The couple, who were married for 12 years, had no children together, although Mary was a stepmother to Kendu's children from a previous relationship, Briana, Jordan and Nas.
Mary J Blige has filed for divorce from husband Kendu Isaacs
According to court paperwork seen by TMZ, the 45-year-old singer cited irreconcilable differences as the grounds for their divorce.
"Mary will continue writing and working on her album, which is due out later this year along with her world tour," her rep added. "She thanks and appreciates her fans for their support and love through this very difficult, emotional time."
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In an interview with People back in 2007, Mary credited Kendu with saving her life after years of addiction and abuse left her "totally done, spinning out of control, suicidal".
The singer thanked fans for their support at this "difficult, emotional time"
"He was the first person to ever challenge what I did: 'Why are you drinking? Why do you hate yourself? You don't need to be around people who tear you down. You're beautiful, Mary.' He was the first man to ever tell me that," she revealed.
In the past, Mary has spoken candidly about the pros and cons of being married to her manager. In 2014, she told the Telegraph: "He always has my back – he's going to fight to the death for Mary J Blige. The downside is that there's no separation – it's on all the time. When you don't feel like answering to your manager, he's still your husband!"