Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie to separate

The Canadian PM said after “difficult conversations,” he and his wife Sophie, who have three children together, are to split up.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife of 18 years, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, are separating. Picture: Anna Moneymaker / AFP

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has split from his wife Sophie.

The pair were married in 2005 and have three children.

On Wednesday, local time, both Mr Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau posted statements on their social media accounts announcing their seperation – his in English, hers in French.

They still plan to go on holiday next week with their family.

“Sophie and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate,” Mr Trudeau, 51, wrote in a message posted to his Instagram account.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau in Los Angeles in June. The couple have decided to split. Picture: Anna Moneymaker / AFP

Justin Trudeau kisses his wife Sophie as they arrive on stage in Montreal on October 20, 2015 after winning the general election. Picture: Nicholas KAMM / AFP

“As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build”.

Canadian public broadcaster CBC reported that the PM’s Office in Ottawa had issued a statement confirming the pair had “signed a legal separation agreement.”

“They have worked to ensure that all legal and ethical steps with regards to their decision to separate have been taken, and will continue to do so moving forward,” Mr Trudeau’s office said.

“Both parents will be a constant presence in their children’s lives and Canadians can expect to often see the family together. The family will be together on vacation, beginning next week.”

Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau at Santa Lucia, Mexico, on January 9, 2023. Picture: Claudio Cruz / AFP

Couple met as kids

Montreal born Ms Grégoire Trudeau, 48, was a childhood friend of Michael Trudeau, the brother of Justin and the son of former PM Pierre Trudeau.

She worked as an entertainment reporter for various French language TV stations based in Quebec and was a co-host of a radio morning show.

Ms Grégoire Trudeau first met Justin Trudeau when she was a child but it was only after they co-hosted a charity ball in 2003 that they began to date.

“We laughed, we joked and there was a definite chemistry between us,” Mr Trudeau said in a magazine interview.

They got engaged in 2004 and married in May 2005 at Montreal’s Sainte-Madeleine d’Outremont Church.

The Trudeaus have three children – Hadrien, 9, Xavier, 15, and Ella-Grace, 14.

Mr Trudeau became prime minister in 2015. By his side at events both domestically and worldwide, Ms Grégoire Trudeau also championed charities and campaigns including those on mental health and gender equality.

Justin Trudeau and Sophie arrive to sign a book of condolence at Lancaster House following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8. Picutre: David Parry / AFP

‘Our marriage isn’t perfect’

The couple’s marriage has long had its challenges, which both have alluded too.

In his memoir Common Ground, published in 2014, Mr Trudeau said the relationship wasn’t all rosy.

“Our marriage isn’t perfect, and we have had difficult ups and downs, yet Sophie remains my best friend, my partner, my love“.

Ms Grégoire Trudeau said in 2015 that “no marriage is easy”.

“I’m almost kind of proud of the fact that we’ve had hardship, yes, because we want authenticity. We want truth”.

Mr Trudeau’s father Pierre, who was Canadian PM twice – once between 1968 to 1979 and again from 1980 to 1994 – also separated from his wife in office. Margaret and the late Mr Trudeau split in 1977 and then divorced in 1984.