Hollywood icon Meryl Streep and her husband of 45 years, Don Gummer, have recently announced their separation. Their spokesperson revealed that they’ve been living apart for over six years, despite the public’s previous perception of their long-lasting marriage.
In a statement released to Page Six, the couple’s spokesperson disclosed the couple’s separation and emphasized that their choice to lead separate lives is a well-considered decision. They further expressed that, while the couple will always care for each other, they have decided to part ways.
Meryl Streep and Don Gummer have been together for nearly half a century and are the proud parents of four children: Henry Wolfe, 43, Mamie Gummer, 40, Grace Gummer, 37, and Louise Jacobson, 30. Additionally, they share five grandchildren.
The news of their separation has come as a significant surprise to fans worldwide. This revelation follows Meryl Streep’s appearance at the Princesa de Asturias Awards in 2023, where she was seen wearing her wedding ring.
Additionally, they attended the 2018 Oscars as a couple, looking happy and united in photos, despite reports of their separation during that period.
Meryl Streep’s relationship with Don Gummer began when they were introduced by her brother in 1978. They got married later the same year, celebrating their love with a romantic ceremony in her parents’ garden.
This joyous occasion occurred only six months after the passing of Meryl Streep’s former partner, fellow actor John Cazale, who succumbed to lung cancer in March 1978.
Reflecting on Cazale’s death, she shared with People magazine, “The death is still very much with me. It had forced me to confront my own mortality, and once you do that, you look at things differently.”
Meryl’s brother and his friend, Don Gummer, provided support and friendship during this challenging time. Gummer allowed Meryl to sublet his New York City apartment when he wasn’t there, and their correspondence soon kindled a romantic relationship.
Following their marriage, the couple expanded their family. They moved into a lavish private estate in Connecticut in 1985, estimated to be worth $1.8 million. In 1990, they purchased a $3 million mansion in Brentwood, Los Angeles, before ultimately returning to Connecticut.
Meryl and Don are known for keeping their love life out of the public eye. When asked about their long-lasting marriage in a 2002 interview with Vogue, Meryl mentioned that goodwill, flexibility, and occasionally keeping quiet are the secrets behind their strong partnership.
She expressed that there’s no road map for raising a family, stating, “It’s always an enormous negotiation. But I have a holistic need to work and to have huge ties of love in my life.”
Their children have all pursued careers in the arts. Henry, their son, has become a musician. Louisa has ventured into acting and is known for her role in the HBO Max series “The Gilded Age.”
Mamie has appeared in various film projects, including “Heartburn” and “Emily Owens, M.D.” Grace has made her mark in series like “Dr. Death,” “Mr. Robot,” and “American Horror Story: Freak Show.”
Meryl Streep and Don Gummer’s separation marks the end of an era in which their relationship served as a model of enduring love. They now embark on separate journeys, accompanied by the mutual respect and affection they’ve maintained throughout their 45-year marriage.