Reese Witherspoon & Ryan Phillippe Called It Quits

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe have separated after seven years of marriage, PEOPLE has confirmed.

"We are saddened to announce that Reese and Ryan have decided to formally separate," a rep for the couple said in a statement released Monday. "They remain committed to their family and we ask that you please respect their privacy and the safety of their children at this time." TMZ.com first reported the couple's split.

Witherspoon, 30, and Phillippe, 32, have two children, daughter Ava, 7, and son Deacon, 3.

The couple met when a mutual friend brought Phillippe to Witherspoon's 21st-birthday party. Two years later, after they had costarred in 1999's Cruel Intentions, he proposed. They married in June 1999 and had Ava three months later.

Though the couple seemed to have it all – a successful relationship, thriving careers and beautiful children – they both spoke openly about having to work on their marriage.
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