Meryl Streep and her longtime husband, Don Gummer, have disclosed that they’ve been living separate lives for over six years.
Page Six received a statement clarifying that Meryl, known for her role in The Devil Wears Prada at age 74, and the renowned sculptor Don, 76, ‘chose separate paths over half a decade ago. Though they continue to hold affection for one another, they decided to embrace individual lives.’
The couple, who married in 1978, have four children: Henry, 43, Grace, 37, Mamie, 40, and Louisa Jacobson, 30. The last public appearance of the duo was reportedly at the 2018 Oscars, following which Streep was seen at the Princesa de Asturias Awards.
Interestingly, the two were introduced by Meryl’s brother in 1978 and exchanged vows in a quaint garden ceremony at her family residence later that year. This marriage came just six months after the tragic demise of Meryl’s then-boyfriend, actor John Cazale, due to lung cancer.
A year after Cazale’s passing, the Mamma Mia! actress shared with People about how the grief compelled her to re-evaluate her life perspectives.
After Cazale’s passing, Meryl needed to leave the shared apartment. During this transition, her brother and his friend, Don Gummer, stepped in to assist. As time passed, Meryl and Don grew close, sharing letters and deepening their bond. They later settled in New York City, where Meryl temporarily stayed in Don’s apartment.
Throughout their time together, the couple, with Don boasting an MFA from Yale, welcomed four children and were blessed with five grandchildren.
Speaking to Vogue in 2002, Meryl attributed the longevity of their relationship to mutual respect, adaptability, and the occasional silence. She emphasized that building a family doesn’t come with a manual but involves a lot of give-and-take. For Meryl, balancing her career and deep-seated family ties was paramount.
Upon her Best Actress win for Iron Lady in 2012, Meryl began her acceptance speech by heartwarmingly crediting Don as her pillar.
The couple shared a home in Connecticut and a loft in NYC’s Tribeca, sold in 2020 for $15.8 million, as per Page Six reports. That same year, Meryl, star of It’s Complicated, acquired a new property valued at $4 million in Pasadena.
