It hurts when two people who once swore to spend their lives together forever suddenly decide to go their separate ways. When a relationship breaks, there is rarely a sound, but it still attracts attention. It becomes even more true in the case of high-profile Hollywood celebrities whose lives are already under the microscopic lens of the public gaze. Such a celebrity breakup has been making headlines recently.

In a surprising turn of events, Alan Ritchson has announced the end of his 20-year marriage to his wife Catherine.

After 20 years of marriage, Reacher actor Alan Ritchson and his wife Catherine have announced their divorce. They were childhood sweethearts who eventually became partners for life, but this long partnership has now come to an end with a joint Instagram post from the former couple letting the public know that they have decided to part ways amicably.

“After twenty years together, Cat and I have decided to end our marriage and continue alongside one another in a different way,” the statement said. 

“We grew up together. We built a life and a family together. And we are raising three incredible boys who will always be the center of our world,” said Ritchson further in his statement.

The couple stated that nothing could diminish what those years had meant to them or the enduring love and respect they would always share. They added that the best gift they could offer one another and their boys at that moment was friendship, grace, and a commitment to becoming the strongest co-parents possible, while also allowing each other room to grow into the people they were becoming.

The Reacher star and Catherine further asked for privacy in their Instagram post as their family adjusted to a new normal. Observing that change was hard enough without the whole world weighing in, the pair stated that they hoped, especially for the sake of their boys, that the public would allow their family to move through that chapter with privacy and compassion. They concluded by thanking supporters as they continued to make the health and happiness of their family their priority.

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For what it is worth, they traversed a long path together before marking the end of the road.

Catherine and the Runner actor first became acquainted in a high school dancing class when they were teenagers, and from there the sparks flew. However, the teenagers ended their brief romance, but they eventually reconnected when Catherine was in college. They tied the knot in May 2006 and became parents to three sons -  Calem, Edan, and Amory.

While Alan Ritchson has been doing well on the professional front, with Reacher season 4 getting a positive response and his latest film Runner getting a mixed review from critics, things are not as good on the personal front for the actor. A couple of months back, he got into a fight with his neighbor, the video of which went viral on the internet. And now, his divorce from his wife, Catherine. 

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What do you think about Alan Ritchson’s unfortunate split from his wife, Catherine? Do let us know in the comments.