After 19 years and “much contemplation,” Chris Rock and his wife, Malaak Compton-Rock, have decided to file for divorce.
“While recognizing that this is a significant change, my children remain at the center of my life and their well-being is my top priority. It is in this spirit that I sincerely ask that their privacy and the privacy of our family be respected during this transition in our lives,” Compton-Rock said in a statement to People Magazine.
Chris Rock’s Attorney Robert S. Cohen also released a statement confirming the divorce, “This is a personal matter and Chris requests his privacy as he and Malaak work through this process and focus on their family.”
Both Chris and Malaak maintain the importance of continuing to focus on their children; Lola Simone, 12, and Zahra Savanna, 10.
Since 2007, the couple has reassured the public of their nuptials’ certainty. Most recently, they navigated rumors of Chris having a child out of wedlock. In 2012, Rock called his movie What To Expect When You’re Expecting a dud; it was also a product of his wife’s inspiration.