Meryl Streep and husband of 45 years, Don Gummer, have revealed they’ve been separated ‘for more than six years’ after deciding to have ‘lives apart.’ 

In a statement shared to Page Six, a spokesperson expressed that The Devil Wears Prada actress, 74, and the sculptor, 76, ‘have been separated for more than 6 years, and while they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart.’ 

The pair initially tied the knot in 1978 and share four children: Henry, 43, Mamie, 40, Grace, 37, and Louisa Jacobson, 30.

According to the outlet, Streep – who attended the Princesa de Asturias Awards on Friday – was seen last seen together with Gummer while attending the 2018 Oscars ceremony. 

The former couple were first introduced through Meryl’s brother in 1978, and said ‘I do’ later that same year in September during a romantic ceremony in the garden of her parents house. 

Shock split: Meryl Streep, 74, and husband of 45 years, Don Gummer, 76, have revealed they’ve been separated ‘for more than six years’ after deciding to have ‘lives apart’; seen in 2018 in Hollywood 

‘Lives apart’: In a statement shared to Page Six , a spokesperson expressed that The Devil Wears Prada actress, 74, and the sculptor, 76, ‘have been separated for more than 6 years, and while they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart’; seen in 1980 

The nuptials took place six months after her late boyfriend and fellow actor, John Cazale, passed away in March 1978 following a diagnosis of lung cancer.

One year after his death, the Mamma Mia! star reflected on the loss, and told People at the time, ‘The death is still very much with me. It has forced me to confront my own mortality, and once you do that, you look at things differently.’

During the course of their marriage, Meryl and Gummer – who has a MFA from Yale University – welcomed four children, and also have five grandchildren. 

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Back in 2002, the star opened up about her relatioship with the artist, and informed Vogue that the secret their long-lasting marriage was, ‘goodwill and willingness to bend – and to shut up every once in a while.’ 

She further explained, ‘There’s no road map on how to raise a family: It’s always an enormous negotiation.’

‘But I have a holistic need to work and to have huge ties of love in my life. I can’t imagine eschewing one for the other.’ 

Their children have also followed in their parents’ artistic footsteps, with their son Henry becoming a music artist. Louisa is known for starring in the HBO Max series titled, The Gilded Age. 

Mamie has also taken roles in front of the camera, and starred in projects such as Heartburn and Emily Owens, M.D. Grace has appeared in Dr. Death, Mr. Robot and also American Horror Story: Freak Show. 

Family: The pair initially tied the knot in 1978 and share four children: Henry, 43, Mamie, 40, Grace, 37, and Louisa Jacobson, 30; seen in 2015 in Hollywood 

Tying the knot: The former couple were first introduced through Meryl’s brother in 1978, and said ‘I do’ later that same year in September during a romantic ceremony in the garden of her parents house; seen in 1981

Over the years, the pair have been supportive in regards to each other’s careers, and Don has joined Streep at various award ceremonies throughout the years, including the Academy Awards and the BAFTAs. 

She has received various accolades during her career thus far, including three Oscars. In 2012, Meryl mentioned Don in the beginning of her speech after winning Best Actress for Iron Lady. 

‘First, I’m going to thank Don because when you thank your husband at the end of the speech they play him out with the music, and I want him to know that everything I value most in our lives, you’ve given me,’ she sweetly expressed, per People.