Heidi Klum and Seal confirm that they are splitting after almost seven years of marriage.
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, the Project Runway host and the singer say:
“While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy years of marriage, after much soul-searching we have decided to separate.
“We have had the deepest respect for one another throughout our relationship and continue to love each other very much, but we have grown apart. This is an amicable process and protecting the well-being of our children remains our top priority, especially during this time of transition.
“We thank our family, friends, and fans for their kind words of support. And for our children’s sake, we appreciate you respecting our privacy.”
The couple are parents to Leni, 7, Henry, 6, Johan, 5, and Lou, 2.
The supermodel, 38, and the Grammy winner, 48, began dating in 2003 after Klum had split from Italian racecar team manager Flavio Briatore.
In December 2004, Seal proposed with a yellow diamond ring of more than 10 carats in a specially-built igloo on a 14,000-ft.-high glacier in Whistler, B.C. Klum described it as “a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
They opted for a warmer destination for their wedding, exchanging vows on the beach in Costa Careyes, Mexico, in May 2005.
Heidi Klum and Seal plan to file for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court this coming week, according to TMZ.
The couple were married in Mexico in 2005 after having met the previous year.
There has been no comment from their reps.
The two were reportedly last seen together on Dec. 27, when the supermodel-mom Tweeted a photo of herself and her musician husband in Aspen, reports the Daily Mail.
Project Runway star Klum, 38, was previously married to celebrity hairstylist Ric Pipino and had a daughter – Leni, now 7 – with Italian entrepreneur Flavio Briatore.
She and Seal, 48, had three children together: Henry Günther, 6, Johan Riley, 5, and Lou, 2.
When she was pregnant with daughter Lou, Klum said of her marriage, “When we’re home, we’re cooking and doing things with the kids, driving them to school. We do the things that everyone has to do.”
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( ) – last years
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99.Kelly Brook (N/A)
98.Isabel Lucas (52.)
97.Sophia Bush (N/A)
96.Emmanuelle Chriqui (56.)
95.Maria Sharapova (N/A)
94.Zoe Saldana (24.)
93.Meagan Good (N/A)
92.Scarlett Johansson (49.)
91.Naomi Campbell (43.)
90.Sofia Vergara (N/A)
89.Pink (N/A)
88.Nelly Furtado (47.)
87.Jenna Dewan (95.)
86.Rebecca Romijn (N/A)
85.Molly Sims (48.)
84.Janet Jackson (N/A)
83.Kate Moss (77.)
82.Drew Barrymore (N/A)
81.Dita von Teese (N/A)
80.Kelly Rowland (N/A)
79.Jessica Stroup (53.)
78.Paula Patton (N/A)
77.Gwyneth Paltrow (11.)
76.Britney Spears (N/A)
75.Reese Witherspoon (19.)
74.Leighton Meester (97.)
73.Megan Fox (N/A)
72.Roselyn Sanchez (N/A)
71.Jennifer Hudson (N/A)
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8.Sarah Shahi (2011 ALMA Awards)
7.Reese Witherspoon (LACMA Art + Film Gala)
6.Emma Stone (2011 MTV Movie Awards)
5.Alessandra Ambrosio (Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show after party)
4.Jennifer Lopez (2011 Costume Institute Gala)
3.Keira Knightley ( 2011 Jameson Empire film Awards )
2.Heidi Klum (Hamptons July 4th Issue Cover celebration)
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