Jennifer Aniston Splits With Husband Justin Theroux

After two and a half years of marriage, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux have parted ways. The two spent a total of seven years as a couple. Aniston was previously married to Brad Pitt from 2000 to 2005. This is Theroux’s first marriage.

The news was surprising coming so soon after Valentine’s Day. A statement released through longtime Aniston publicist Stephen Huvane said, “In an effort to reduce any further speculation, we have decided to announce our separation. This decision was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year.” The statement continued on to say, “We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship.”

Aniston and Theroux first met on the set of Tropic Thunder in Hawaii in 2008. Theroux wrote and produced the film. They got engaged in 2012 after Justin proposed on his birthday. They married in a secret ceremony on August 5, 2015, inviting their friends to a backyard party to celebrate Theroux’s birthday a few days early. The event is still known to this day as one of Hollywood’s best surprise weddings.

Questions about their relationship began to surface in recent months after it was noticed that they were spending quite a bit of time apart. The couple did spend the New Year together on their annual vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They were joined by a handful of close friends, including Jason Bateman and his family.

Aniston has been working with Reese Witherspoon on a new Apple TV series and was filming Dumplin’ in Atlanta. Last weekend, Aniston attended Ellen DeGeneres‘ birthday party without Theroux. The next day, Aniston celebrated her 49th birthday in Malibu, California with pals Courteney Cox and Kristin Hahn along with several others.

Theroux has been filming the comedy The Spy Who Dumped Me in Budapest and was often spotted in New York City. The two shared a family home in Los Angeles that they designed together. The $21 million home was featured in the March issue of Architectural Digest

The couple is already determined to tamp down on rumors about their relationship and split. Aniston and Theroux have released a joint statement saying, “Normally we would do this privately, but given that the gossip industry cannot resist the opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly. Whatever else is printed about us that is not directly from us, is someone else’s fictionalized narrative.”