Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker ‘consciously uncouples’ from wife Beth Leonard after 20 years
Darius Rucker’s marriage is the latest celebrity relationship casualty of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The three-time Grammy winner is separating from wife Beth Leonard after 20 years of marriage.
The Hootie & the Blowfish frontman announced the amicable split Saturday in a statement posted to Instagram, along with a photo of himself and Leonard at the 2017 CMA Awards.
Amicable split: Darius Rucker announced his amicable split from wife Beth Leonard after 20 years Saturday in a statement posted to Instagram, along with a photo of himself and Leonard at the 2017 CMA Awards
The 54-year-old took a page from Gwyneth Paltrow’s book, writing: ‘Beth and I would like to share that after much reflection we have made the decision to consciously uncouple.’
He assured that their three children will remain their priority during the amicable split, as they co-parent as friends.
Rucker continued: ‘We remain close friends and parenting partners and continue to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Our priority will always be our beautiful family.
‘We have so much love in our hearts for each other and will continue to encourage growth and expansion in one other. Please be kind as we take on this journey, and we thank you for your love and support always. — Darius & Beth Rucker’
Co-parenting: He assured that their three children will remain their priority during the amicable split, as they co-parent as friends (pictured in April, 2017)
Still friends: Rucker continued: ‘We remain close friends and parenting partners and continue to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Our priority will always be our beautiful family’ (pictured in June, 2017)
He and Leonard tied the knot in December of 2000, and they share daughter Daniella, 19, and son Jack, 15, while Rucker also shares daughter Caroline, 24, with ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Phillips.
Rucker told The Boot in 2010: ‘I had been trying to get her to go out with me, and she wouldn’t. I was in New York, and it was one of those rare nights off.
‘I didn’t have anything to do — we always had something to do when we were in New York! We had the night off, and I was just in my hotel room. She called me and said, “Hey, do you want to go see this play?” I was like, “Sure!”‘
He continued: ‘She was walking up the stairs [to her apartment], and I said, “Well, you know that I’m going to marry you, right?”
‘She just laughed. Her roommate or her boyfriend was up there in their apartment, and I yelled, “To whoever’s up there in Beth Leonard’s apartment, you can just leave because I just want you to know that I’m going to marry her!”‘
Proud parents: Rucker and Leonard tied the knot in December of 2000, and they share daughter Daniella, 19, and son Jack, 15