It is the end of a fairy-tale union that for 20 years ran parallel with Italian football and popular culture, as Francesco Totti’s marriage to TV presenter Ilary Blasi is over.
Both were already very famous when they first got together in 2002, the Roma star already making his mark for Italy and having just won the Serie A title for his club.
They married on June 19, 2005 with a wedding ceremony that was transmitted live on Sky Sport Italia and the proceeds from that deal going to charity.
They had three children, Cristian born in November 2005 – now a player in the Roma youth academy – Chanel in May 2007 and Isabel in March 2016.
Their relationship was also portrayed in a recent television series based on Totti’s career.
Reports of a split have been circulating since February, with rumours Totti was having an affair with Noemi Bocchi, although the couple had repeatedly denied these stories.
Today the final word, as Blasi released a statement confirming her marriage to the World Cup winner was over.
“After 20 years together and three splendid children, my marriage to Francesco is over. The separation process will remain a private matter and I will not make any more statements.
“I urge everyone to avoid speculation and, above all, respect the privacy of my family.”
It was originally reported they would release a joint statement, but that is not how the situation played out, as Totti later made his own comment.
“After 20 years together, my relationship with Ilary has unfortunately ended. All that I said and did over the last few months was to protect our children, who are and always will be the absolute priority in my life.
“I tried to overcome the crisis in our marriage, but today I realise the choice of a separation is – albeit painful – no longer avoidable.
“I will continue to be united with Ilary in raising our marvellous three children, always with great respect for my wife.
“The separation process will remain a private matter and I will not make any more statements.
“I urge everyone to avoid speculation and, above all, respect the privacy of my family.”
What went wrong? You guys are married for a long time, a time long enough to know how to get around individual problems. Divorce has never been great. Why not sit down together and work things out
@samuel you married?