Ottawa (Caasimada Online) – Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister, and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, announced on Wednesday that they are separating, ending their 18-year high-profile marriage.

The pair, who have been candid about their relationship struggles in the past, were seen less often together in public in recent years.

Married since May 2005, they have three children aged 15, 14, and nine. On their 15th anniversary, Trudeau praised his wife as “my rock, my partner, and my best friend.”

The announcement comes at a challenging time for the 51-year-old Trudeau, who recently initiated a significant cabinet shuffle to rejuvenate his trailing Liberal Party’s fortunes.

Insiders suggest he remains committed to leading the party into the next election, slated for October 2025.

Echoes of history

Trudeau’s situation painfully mirrors his father’s experience, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who separated from his wife, Margaret, while in office in 1977.

This development marks one of Trudeau’s most significant personal crises since his tenure as prime minister began in 2015, a role in which he has continually emphasized the value of family life.

In a public announcement on Instagram, Trudeau stated, “Sophie and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate.” Gregoire Trudeau posted an almost identical message on her account.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, a close ally of Trudeau, is set to brief the cabinet members later on Wednesday, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC), which predicted that Trudeau would address the separation publicly within the week.

Children and custody

Trudeau’s office confirmed that the pair had signed a legal agreement, underlining their dedication to raising their children.

Gregoire Trudeau is planning to move into separate accommodation in Ottawa but intends to spend significant time with the children at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Rideau Cottage, for as normal an upbringing as possible, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The anonymous source, citing the extreme sensitivity of the situation, stated that the couple would maintain joint custody of their children. The family plans a vacation together in the coming week.

The Trudeaus captured the world media’s attention with their striking presence when Justin 43 became the Prime Minister in late 2015.

The New York Post in October 2015 labeled Gregoire Trudeau as “the hottest first lady in the world,” while Vogue magazine ran a radiant profile of the couple in its January 2016 issue.

In his 2014 autobiography ‘Common Ground,’ Trudeau revealed that the couple had faced challenges, confessing that “our marriage isn’t perfect, and we have had difficult ups and downs.”

In a social media post on their wedding anniversary last year, Gregoire Trudeau hinted at their trials, stating, “We have navigated through sunny days, heavy storms, and everything in between, and it ain’t over.”

The recent separation marks the culmination of these struggles, despite the couple’s joint appearances at significant international events like the coronation of King Charles and US President Joe Biden’s recent visit.

The surprise announcement is a poignant reminder of the personal toll exacted on public figures, even as they navigate the complexities of leadership on the world stage.