‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ star Ashley Darby has filed for legal separation from her husband, Michael Darby and has revealed that their “romantic bond is broken.” While getting a divorce is like a rite of passage in the world of ‘Real Housewives’, Ashley and Michael’s split is particularly noteworthy because of his well-documented history of cheating and her commitment to brushing his major indiscretions aside.
Ashley released a statement confirming the split, stating, “Almost eight years ago, when Michael and I said ‘I do,’ we anticipated sharing every single day together from that moment forward. Unfortunately, that is not our current reality. We have decided to separate.”
RHOP: Ashley Darby Files For Separation From Husband Michael Darby – ‘Romantic Bond is Broken’
“We are aware that there will be many speculative views as to why we have made this decision. People will be quick to assume that the causes were too much intrusion by reality TV into the most personal parts of our lives, age gap issues, cultural problems, or child-rearing differences,” she continued.
“Pieces of all these may have affected our pure love for each other, but no one reason is the root cause of our mutual decision to go our separate ways. We are now both at very different stages in our lives and have different goals for our futures. We both want the other to achieve true happiness and fulfillment and feel that we cannot do this together,” Ashley concluded.
Much of Ashley and Michael’s unconventional relationship has played out in front of the cameras, including Michael allegedly making profone sexual remarks about another man as well as accusations of sexual assault after he was witnessed groping the backside of one of the cameramen during filming. On top of all that, Michael appeared very guilty of having an affair after video footage of him in a hotel room with a stripper was made public.
While many cast members have expressed their concern about Michael’s behavior, Ashley often defended him and stuck by his side. However Ashley had admitted she does not trust him and that she would ultimately leave Michael if he were to get caught in a compromising position again. “I would be lying through my teeth if I said that I was completely comfortable and felt safe and trusted Michael one hundred perfect,” she revealed.
Ashley, 33, and Michael, 62, got married in 2014 and share two sons – Dean, 2, and Dylan, 1. Michael Darby is a very wealthy businessman and although Ashley signed a prenuptial agreement, she revealed that she would ‘get half’ of his earnings and assets if they remained married for at least five years.
Season 7 of the ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ is currently filming so be prepared to watch this all unfold on screen.
