Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife announce their separation
Toronto (AP): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, announced on Wednesday that they are separating after 18 years of marriage.
The two said in statements posted on Instagram that they made the decision after "many meaningful and difficult conversations". A statement from the prime minister's office said they both have signed a legal separation agreement.
Trudeau, the 51-year-old scion of one of Canada's most famous politicians, was sworn into office in 2015. Sophie Trudeau is a former model and TV host. The couple were married in 2005. Together, they brought star power to the prime minister's office and appeared in the pages of Vogue magazine.
They have three children, 15-year-old Xavier, 14-year-old Ella-Grace and nine-year-old Hadrien.
"As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build," the two said on Instagram.
An official familiar with the matter said Trudeau will continue to live at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, where he has lived since 2015, and the children will primarily live there to maintain stability.
The official said she has moved to a separate Ottawa home, but will spend time at Rideau Cottage at times, including when he is travelling. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.
She has played a less visible role in recent years, rarely travelling with the prime minister on official trips. The two were seen together publicly at Canada Day events in Ottawa last month.
"They remain a close family, and Sophie and the prime minister are focussed on raising their kids in a safe, loving and collaborative environment," the statement from Trudeau's office said. "The family will be together on vacation, beginning next week."
His office requested respect for their privacy.
Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire met as children when she was a classmate of his youngest brother, Michel, and they reconnected as adults when they co-hosted a 2003 charity gala.
Trudeau is the second prime minister to announce a separation while in office.
His father, Pierre Trudeau, and mother, Margaret Trudeau, separated in 1979 and divorced in 1984 during the elder Trudeau's final year in the prime minister's office.
Margaret Trudeau wrote in her memoir that she had a romance with Senator Ted Kennedy. During a 1977 visit to Washington, DC with Pierre, she sat listening to her husband's speech before Congress while feeling "torn between an intense need for him and a longing for Ted Kennedy". Margaret wrote she became infatuated with Kennedy after meeting him a few years earlier. She told Kennedy that he "had not destroyed my marriage but that I had used him to help me destroy a marriage that was already over".
Just weeks later, Margaret, who had then-undiagnosed mental illness, left her husband to party with the Rolling Stones in Toronto. The marriage ended soon after that.
Justin, who was a child when his parents separated, wrote in his 2014 book "Common Ground" that public life took its toll. "I knew, even then, that the demands imposed by the life my parents were leading affected them far more than the ordinary stress of parenthood," he wrote.
Justin Trudeau channelled the star power of his Liberal icon father when he first won office in 2015. Scandals, voter fatigue and economic inflation have taken a toll on his popularity after eight years in power.
Just a few months ago, Trudeau posted a picture of himself holding hands with his wife on their anniversary and wrote, "Every mile of this journey together is an adventure. I love you, Soph. Happy anniversary!"
Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, had thought that Trudeau would seriously consider stepping down sometime next year or early in 2025.
"The separation may have been partially driven by an ultimatum from Sophie that Trudeau not contest the next election," Wiseman said. "I now think he is more likely to stick in the political arena."
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Odisha: Three arrested for allegedly assaulting tribal women over conversion suspicion
Bhubaneshwar: A day after Christmas, on December 26, two tribal women were allegedly tied to a tree and beaten by a mob in the Remuna area of Odisha's Balasore district. The women, accused of attempting to convert a Hindu man to Christianity, were subjected to humiliation and violence, as captured in a viral video that brought the incident to light, reported The Wire.
The victims, identified as Subhasini Singh and Sukanti Singh, were reportedly targeted after visiting Chhankhanpur hamlet in Mukhura village. Subhasini, a Christian from Makhpada village in Nilgiri, allegedly came to meet Gobind Singh, a Hindu tribal man, with the intention of persuading him to convert to Christianity. Sukanti, a local resident and Hindu, was accused of facilitating the visit.
In the video, the women are seen tied to a tree, surrounded by a hostile crowd. One man's remarks accusing them of "destroying Hindu religion and culture" and chants of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Jai Shri Ram" underscore the mob's fury. Subhasini's face was smeared with a cake, which locals claimed had been brought to celebrate a religious conversion.
Subas Mallick, Inspector-in-Charge of Remuna police station, confirmed the incident and said the mob had also humiliated Gobind Singh for his alleged intent to convert. Four individuals, Bapin Nayak, Pitambar Biswal, Prashant Nayak, and Badal Panda—were detained in connection with the assault. Cases have been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) addressing assault and prevention of atrocities against scheduled tribes, as well as under the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, which prohibits forced or induced religious conversions.
However, police later released the detainees after they reportedly expressed regret and reached an "understanding" with the victims. Gobind Singh also allegedly apologized for his intent to change his faith. Despite this, two separate cases remain under investigation.
Reactions to the incident have highlighted concerns about rising vigilantism and threats to vulnerable communities. Odisha Congress spokesperson Amiya Pandab condemned the attack as a shameful reflection of the state’s law and order situation, particularly against tribal women. Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Latika Pradhan criticized what she called "vigilante justice," emphasizing that any alleged illegal conversions should be dealt with by law rather than mob action.
The incident has also reignited discussions about communal tensions in Odisha. Balasore, represented in the Lok Sabha by former Union Minister Pratap Sarangi, borders Mayurbhanj, the home district of President Draupadi Murmu, and Keonjhar, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi’s constituency. Both leaders are from tribal communities, underscoring the gravity of such incidents targeting vulnerable groups.
This case comes against the backdrop of Odisha’s history of communal violence, including the 2008 Kandhamal riots, which led to over 30 deaths and widespread displacement of Christians. Then-Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, now leader of the opposition, severed ties with the BJP in 2009, citing concerns over communal discord.
As authorities probe the latest incident, it raises critical questions about the balance between protecting religious freedom and preventing vigilantism.
