The love story of the glamorous duo, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire, est fini. News of their separation broke Wednesday, leaving onlookers worldwide stunned. Grégoire has been at Trudeau's side for the past 18 years and been a prominent partner throughout his political career.
Grégoire is reportedly moving out of Rideau Cottage, where Trudeau will stay with their three children.
GZERO’s Publisher Evan Solomon interviewed the PM back in 2014 about his biography “Common Ground,” in which he spoke about his marriage going through difficult times. "Our marriage isn't perfect, and we have had difficult ups and downs, yet Sophie remains my best friend, my partner, my love. We are honest with each other, even when it hurts,” Trudeau wrote.
When pressed by Solomon as to whether this was a signal that their union had endured extramarital affairs, Trudeau said it had not. “I say we are deeply in love and committed to each other and we continue to be.”
Many will recall that Justin’s father Pierre, who twice held the role of prime minister of Canada, also endured a very public split from his wife Margaret in the late 1970s, with the two divorcing in 1984, at the end of his second stint at the political helm.
Earlier this year, to mark his wife’s 48th birthday, the PM took to Instagram to wish her a “Bonne fête” and to note that there is no one he’d rather have at his side.
We will be watching to see what, if anything, this means for Trudeau’s reelection bid, expected in 2025, as the breakdown of his marriage – and any details that might emerge – will likely garner a lot of media attention that his political opponents may try to leverage.