They were often credited as one of Hollywood’s steadiest (and hottest) celebrity couples, but supermodel Heidi Klum and Grammy winning musician Seal announced that they are ending their seven-year marriage.
In an exclusive statement published by People, the couple confirmed the rumored split, “While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy years of marriage, after much soul-searching we have decided to separate.”
The two began dating in 2003 shortly after Klum’s split from Italian racecar team manager Flavio Briatore.
A year later in December, Seal proposed to the supermodel during a vacation in the Canadian Rockies with a yellow diamond ring of more than 10 carats in a specially-built igloo atop a 14,000-ft.-high glacier. Klum described it as “a once-in-a-lifetime event.” In May of the following year, they exchanged vows on a beach in Costa Careyes, Mexico and Seal officially adopted Helene his new wife’s first child Helene (nicknamed Leni). Together, they have two sons, Henry, 6, and Johan, 5, as well as their daughter, Lou, 2.
The couple was well-known for their committed relationship compared to other notoriously short-lived Hollywood romances (they renewed their vows in ceremonies each year) as well as their playfulness together. However, celebrity reporters were on red alert last week when Klum hit the red carpet solo at the Golden Globes Awards and later when Seal tweeted, “the end” along with a photo of his tattoo with wings (alledgedly a reference to Klum’s days as a Victoria’s Secret “angel”).
While the couple has not addressed rumors as to the reasons behind the split, the mutual statement released by the couple went on to say, “We have had the deepest respect for one another throughout our relationship and continue to love each other very much, but we have grown apart. This is an amicable process and protecting the well-being of our children remains our top priority, especially during this time of transition. We thank our family, friends, and fans for their kind words of support. And for our children’s sake, we appreciate you respecting our privacy.”