Jessica Simpson shares statement revealing ‘painful situation’ in 10-year marriage
Following months of speculation, Jessica Simpson is speaking out about the status of her 10-year marriage to retired football player Eric Johnson.
In a statement provided to CNN, Simpson revealed she and Johnson have officially separated.
Simpson told CNN she and Johnson have “been living separately” as they navigate “a painful situation in our marriage.”
“Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them.” Simpson continued. “We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”
Simpson and Johnson began their relationship in 2010 before marrying in 2014.
They are parents to their three kids, 12-year-old Maxwell Drew, 11-year-old Ace Knute and 5-year-old Birdie Mae.
In August, Simpson battled online haters after several comments begged her to “stop drinking” under a birthday post for her son Ace.
In response to the comments, Simpson wrote, “I haven’t wanted or touched alcohol since October 2017 and it has been the best decision I’ve made for myself and for my family. Thank you for your concern, but you have me very misunderstood. Sending love your way.”
Simpson has been open about her battle with alcohol addiction and sobriety over the last several years.
In 2021, she shared a picture of herself in 2017, shortly before her decision to get sober.
“This person in the early morning of Nov. 1, 2017 is an unrecognizable version of myself,” she said at the time.
“I had so much self-discovery to unlock and explore. I knew in this very moment, I would allow myself to take back my light, show victory over my internal battle of self respect, and brave this world with piercing clarity.”
“There is so much stigma around the word alcoholism or the label of an alcoholic,” she continued. “The real work that needed to be done in my life was to actually accept failure, pain, brokenness, and self-sabotage. The drinking wasn’t the issue. I was.”
And while Simpson didn’t love herself then, she wrote, “Today I do.”