NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: Jessica Simpson (L) and Eric Johnson are seen in Union Square on February 04, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
“Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” she said in a statement to Peopleon Monday, January 13. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. 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.”
Jessica, 44, and Eric, 45, were married for 10 years before calling it quits on their relationship. The former pair share three kids together: Maxwell, Ace and Birdie.
Speculation grew before the announcement that the pair’s marriage was on the rocks.
In September 2024, the Fashion Star alum did not acknowledge Eric’s birthday with a post on social media like she did the year before. Instead she posted a video in her Instagram Stories of a preacher saying, “Forgiveness doesn’t change the person who hurt you. Are you listening to me?”
“Forgiveness doesn’t change that person. Forgiveness changes you. Guess what forgiveness does not do?” the person in the video said. “Forgiveness does not mean you forget. One of the most crazy theories is that you forgive and forget. You don’t forget, but you do have the opportunity to forgive every time you remember. If I don’t put into practice forgiveness for those that have hurt me and those that have impacted me in a negative way, then I hold myself hostage to a prison that God never intended for me to stay put in.”
FEBRUARY 06: Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson on February 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jackson Lee/GC images)Jackson Lee/GC images
In the months that followed, Jessica was photographed out in public on multiple occasions without wearing her wedding ring.
“It’s pretty much over,” an insider told In Touch in October 2024. “It’s only a matter of time before she files for divorce.”
Eric was also seen out in public in Los Angeles in November 2024 without wearing his wedding ring.
“When Jessica and Eric are fighting, the ring comes off,” an insider toldLife & Style in February 2024. “It makes her feel like a fraud wearing her ring if they’re not getting along.”
In November 2024, a source told Life & Style that the singer and the former professional football player were facing some challenges in their marriage.
“Jessica and Eric have been butting heads and living separate lives for an extremely long time,” a source close to Jessica and Eric told the outlet. “They have a ton of unresolved issues in the marriage that have been simmering for years and now seem to be reaching a boiling point.”
On November 11, 2024, Jessica shared a cryptic post on Instagram while teasing her new music. “Interviews in my Nashville music room where I unearthed my singular magic,” she captioned a series of photos at the time. “This comeback is personal, it’s an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve.”
In January 2025, Jessica shared another post on Instagram in the days leading up to announcing her split from Eric. “Life is short. SMILE while you still have teeth,” she captioned her post.