'We love and respect each other as parents, people and artists and look forward to maintaining the best parts of our relationship for many years to come,' the former couple says in a joint statement.
- June 14, 2019
AceShowbiz - Even after being in a marriage for 15 years, it doesn't make Rachael Leigh Cook and Daniel Gilllies be able to avoid divorce. The pair announced the heart-breaking news in a joint statement on Instagram on Thursday, June 13.
"With deep gratitude for every year we have spent together and the thousands of beautiful memories shared, we have mutually decided to separate as a couple," wrote the former couple on the "She's All That" star's account. "This decision isn’t one we have come to easily or lightly. We love and respect each other as parents, people and artists and look forward to maintaining the best parts of our relationship for many years to come."
"Your discretion in this matter is kindly requested for the sake of our children during this time of transition. Thank you to those of you who are already aware; for your tremendous compassion and understanding. Lots of love, Rachael and Daniel," the statement concluded.
The 39-year-old actress and the "Originals" alum started dating in 2001 before tying the knot in 2004. The former lovers share daughter Charlotte (5) and son Theodore (4) together.
Cook previously gushed over "The Vampire Diaries" alum in an interview with Us Weekly. "He's ferociously intelligent but he’s also deeply silly. That's probably my favorite thing [about him]," the actress, who shot to fame after starring in "She's All That", said back in January 2018.
When asked about marriage advice, she said, "Something I need to learn, myself, is it's a wonderful thing to be self-sufficient but it's also good to be actively vulnerable so your partner can feel needed as well. That's an important part of a partnership because it defines their role as your rock in this life. It's something that I need to get a little bit better at."
