'We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families,' the former couple, who tied the knot in 2005, says in a joint statement.
- Mar 16, 2018
AceShowbiz - In the wake of divorce rumors, Donald Trump Jr. and wife Vanessa Trump are splitting after 12 years of marriage. On Thursday, March 15, Vanessa filed for divorce from the eldest son of President Donald Trump in Manhattan Supreme Court.
"After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways," the couple said in a joint statement. "We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time."
According to Page Six, who first reported the news, Vanessa filed an uncontested proceeding. It means that the 40-year-old mother of five won't fight Don Jr. regarding the custody of their children or their assets. Legal experts assumed that the former might have a prenuptial agreement.
A source told PEOPLE that Don Jr. and Vanessa, who wed in 2005, have been living separately. The source added, "Even before all this Trump presidency stuff started, they weren't good and their marriage was strained."
Previously, it was reported that Don Jr.'s traveling hobby was one of the contributing factors of their split. "The problems have been there for a long time, the couple had hoped to stay together during the president's time in office, but it is getting harder to resolve their issues," said one source. "He's never there."
The source noted that Don Jr., who is an avid hunter and likes to travel a lot, "has been busy traveling, which has contributed to their problems." The source went on saying, "Vanessa is a devoted mother, but she is increasingly lonely and alone in the house with the children."
Being "a very low-key person" by nature, Vanessa is reportedly "uncomfortable with the attention her family is getting now the Trumps are on the world stage. She is also worried for her kids, particularly after she received the threatening letter containing the white powder."
She was taken to a hospital back in February as a precaution after she opened a letter addressed to Don Jr. The letter was mailed to their Manhattan home and contained an explicit threat along with the white powder. However, the NYPD confirmed that the white substance was non-hazardous.
