Jessica Simpson and Husband Eric Johnson Split After 10 Years of Marriage: 'Painful Situation'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jessica Simpsonand husbandEric Johnsonare taking time apart.

The singer and actress, 44, and her former NFL player husband, 45, are separating after 10 years of marriage, Simpson tells PEOPLE exclusively.

“Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson said in a statement to PEOPLE. “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.”

The news comes less than one week after Simpson — who shares three children with Johnson — posted a sunny selfie toInstagram, reminding her followers that “Life is short. SMILE while you still have teeth😜.”

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson.John Shearer/Getty

Johnson was spotted without his wedding ring in November, around the same time Simpson teased her “comeback” to music with a crypticInstagram postthat featured photos of herself in a recording studio.

“Interviews in my Nashville music room where I unearthed my singular magic,” she captioned the images. “This comeback is personal. It’s an apology to myself forputting up with everything I did not deserve.”

Asource told PEOPLEdays later that the “With You” singer and her husband “very much live separate lives.”

Simpson and Johnson married in July 2014 after four years of dating and share threechildren: daughtersMaxwell “Maxi” Drew, 12, andBirdie Mae, 5, and sonAce Knute, 11.

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson.Kevin Mazur/WireImage

The pair first met through a mutual friend in 2010 and wereengaged that November after six monthsof dating.

TheOpen Bookauthor and the retired tight endwelcomedtheir firsttwo children, Maxwell and Ace, in May 2012 and June 2013, respectively.

Their son and daughter appeared as the ring bearer and flower girl when the couple tied the knot before more than 250 guests in Montecito, Calif.

“A true love will never make you question yourself or what’s real,” she told PEOPLE in 2023. “Thanks to my amazing soulmate I am able to love passionately and without fear of being hurt.”

Jessica Simpson, Eric Johnson and their family.Charley Gallay/Getty for Jessica Simpson Collection

That same year, Simpson opened up to PEOPLE about howJohnson “embraces” her career.

“I don’t find it hard to love anybody, but I have always thought that I was hard to love, that I was too much for people, or my schedule was too demanding,” she shared. “He knows my heart and understands my heart more than anyone I’ve ever met in my life.”

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson.Jessica Simpson/Instagram

Simpson also said that their relationship has always felt “easy” and that they’ve always tried to “keep the romance there, even with three kids.”

ForJohnson’s birthdayin September 2023, sheshared photos on Instagramfrom their family birthday celebration and paid tribute to him in a sweet caption.

“My heart is so taken with this Man, I could hardly call it my own…. We love youuuu,” she wrote.

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson.Felipe Ramales / SplashNews

Felipe Ramales / SplashNews

In 2022, Simpson spoke to PEOPLE about howcommunication was a focus of her marriage. “I feel like every moment with us, we’re growing as long as we’re communicating, and our love is only deepening,” she said.

“I feel like Eric and I learn from each other so much,” she added. “I feel like we’re stronger than ever now, [more] than we were even at the beginning.”

She also explained how their life togetherwasn’t without its challengesin a 2021 interview with PEOPLE.

“I think the takeaway is that it’s not easyand every day presents challengesand blessings,” she said at the time. “Life is a blessing to be lived, and the more we overthink things, the more we fall behind on our personal journey.”

Simpson was previously married toNick Lacheyfrom 2002 to 2005.

source: people.com