“The best gift we can give one another — and our boys — right now is friendship … and a commitment to becoming the strongest co-parents we can be,” they said
Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Alan Ritchson and his wife, Catherine, announced they “have decided to end our marriage” in a joint Instagram post
- They requested privacy for their family, emphasizing their focus on co-parenting their three sons while separated
- The actor and Catherine met in high school, reconnected in college and got married 20 years ago in May 2006
Alan Ritchson and Catherine Ritchson are separating.
The Reacher star, 43, and his wife Catherine announced their split after two decades of marriage in a joint Instagram post shared on Saturday, Sept. 12.
“After twenty years together, Cat and I have decided to end our marriage and continue alongside one another in a different way,” the post began.
“We grew up together. We built a life and a family together. And we are raising three incredible boys who will always be the center of our world,” their statement continued, referring to their three sons Calem, Edan and Amory.
Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty
They went on to say that “nothing can diminish” the years that they spent together and “the love and respect we will always share.”
“The best gift we can give one another — and our boys — right now is friendship, grace and a commitment to becoming the strongest co-parents we can be,” they wrote, adding, “We also want to give each other room to grow into the people we are becoming.”
View this post on Instagram
They shared on the Instagram post, which restricted comments, that “change is hard enough without the whole world weighing in” and asked for “privacy” for their family at this time.
“We hope, especially for the sake of our boys, that you will allow our family to move through this chapter with privacy and compassion. Thanks for supporting us as we continue making the health and happiness of our family our priority,” concluded the message, which was signed by “Cat and Alan.”
TMZ, citing legal documents in a Sept. 12 report, said that “he actually filed for divorce in December” and that “the two reconciled back in March” before they shared their separation news on Instagram on Saturday.
The Runner actor met Catherine while attending high school. They eventually reconnected when Catherine was attending the University of Florida when Alan visited Miami for a modeling shoot.
The couple wed on May 12, 2006. While they have mainly kept their relationship out of the spotlight, they have shared tidbits over the years.
Credit: John Nacion/Variety via Getty
In honor of their 19th wedding anniversary in 2025, Alan shared a video tribute about his wife on Instagram, showing the pair on the red carpet and with their family over the years.
“I’m the luckiest man alive. To be able to build the treasure that is our marriage and family is and always will be the greatest privilege and success of my life,” he wrote at the time.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“@catritchson you are wisdom personified. Strength incarnate. A tantalizing percolation of joy, adventure and love. The boys and I are so beyond blessed to be able to journey with and for you. Happy Mother’s Day/19th Wedding anniversary momma. You deserve to be revered and celebrated forever and always,” he added.
He notably did not share a tribute to celebrate their 20th anniversary in May 2026.
Catherine has also supported her husband over the years. When Season 3 of Reacher premiered in 2025, she celebrated with a post on Instagram, writing, “It is SO GOOD! I am SO PROUD!”
Read the full article here
