PHOTOSColin Firth & Wife Livia Split One Year After She Admits To Having An Affair
Dec. 13 2019, Published 6:22 p.m. ET
Colin Firth and his wife of 22 years, Livia, officially split on December 13. After their marriage was plagued by an affair and a stalking scandal, the Bridget Jones’ Diary star and The True Cost actress announced their separation.
“Colin and Livia Firth have separated. They maintain a close friendship and remain united in their love for their children,” reps for the pair said in a statement. “They kindly ask for privacy. There will be no further comment.”
The former couple was most recently photographed at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards Italia during Milan Fashion Week in 2018. Colin, 59, and Livia, 50, hosted the awards.
In March 2018, Livia admitted to having a 11-month long affair in 2015 and 2016 with Italian journalist Marco Brancaccia. “A few years ago Colin and Livia privately made the decision to separate,” the Firths said in a statement at the time. “During that time Livia briefly became involved with former friend Mr. Brancaccia. The Firths have since reunited.”
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Once the affair ended between Livia and Marco, however, the alleged stalking began. In 2017, police opened up an investigation against the journalist after Livia filed a report. She claimed he “carried out a frightening campaign of harassment over several months,” targeted at her and the Pride and Prejudice actor, which Marco denied.
After Marco was charged with stalking, police found “abusive messages and emails” on his phone, the U.K. outlet The Times reported. “The reality is that Livia and I have known each other since we were youths, then in 2015-2016 we had an 11-month love affair,” the writer stated. “After it ended in June 2016 I never called her again. I did send her two WhatsApp messages, one happy birthday text message and an email to Colin, the latter which I truly regret.”
In July 2018, the couple reached an agreement on the stalker case. “In the best interests of their families, the parties have agreed a private settlement,” lawyers for both participants said in a statement at the time. “Therefore the parties have asked the court for a postponement of the preliminary hearing in order to formalize the agreement. From this point on, this agreement precludes any further public statement by any of the parties about this matter.”
Colin and Livia met in 1996 on the set of the BBC drama Nostromo. They got married the following year, and moved to the Italian region of Umbria and welcomed two sons, Luca, 18, and Matteo, 16. Colin is also father to son, Will, 29, from a previous relationship.
