Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson have confirmed their separation after months of speculation about trouble in their marriage. Simpson, 44, released a statement on January 13, revealing that she and Johnson, 45, have been “living separately navigating a painful situation in [their] marriage.”

The couple, who share three children—Maxwell, 12, Ace, 11, and Birdie, 5—had reportedly been living apart for over a year before announcing the split. Sources say trust issues and growing differences were at the core of their problems. “Jessica is sad but knows she had to make a tough decision,” an insider explains.

Simpson and Johnson’s love story began in 2010 when they met at a party. At the time, Johnson was newly separated from his first wife, and Simpson had just ended her on-again, off-again romance with John Mayer. Previously married to Nick Lachey, Simpson wrote in her 2020 memoir, Open Book, that she and Johnson “connected on all levels” and were both ready for a deep, meaningful relationship.

Their whirlwind romance led to an engagement later that year and a wedding in 2014. Over the years, Simpson frequently praised Johnson, calling him “the most incredible father on the planet” and her “sexual shaman.” The couple supported each other through significant life changes, including Simpson’s decision to get sober in 2017—a journey Johnson joined by also giving up alcohol. “Sobriety made the marriage better,” says a source. “They both became more present.”

However, cracks began to show in recent years. By late 2024, reports emerged of Johnson flirting with other women, and both had been spotted without their wedding rings on multiple occasions. Notably, they skipped celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary and Johnson’s 45th birthday on social media, raising eyebrows among fans.

Despite their split, Simpson is focused on moving forward. She’s returning to music, writing another book, and maintaining her sobriety and health. “Jessica looks amazing and is loving her body,” a source shares. “She’s staying strong and doing her own thing.”

The divorce process may be complicated, as a prenup is in place, but Simpson is determined to focus on her family and career. Meanwhile, Johnson has remained out of the public eye.

Simpson’s journey from a pop sensation in the early 2000s to a thriving entrepreneur and memoirist underscores her resilience and ability to adapt to life’s challenges. Despite the end of her marriage, she’s embracing this new chapter with grace and determination.