After almost two decades of marriage, Chris Rock and wife, Malaak Compton-Rock, have decided to divorce.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Dec. 28, Compton-Rock asked for privacy as the family sorts through the matter:
“After much contemplation and 19 years of marriage, Chris and I have decided to go our separate ways. Being fortunate enough to lead a life of service by working with those most vulnerable makes me well aware of life’s blessings, even when faced with difficulties. While recognizing that this is a significant change, my children remain at the center of my life and their well-being is my top priority. It is in this spirit that I sincerely ask that their privacy and the privacy of our family be respected during this transition in our lives.”
Married since 1996, the couple dealt with rumors of a pending divorce for years, and in 2010 weathered claims that Chris had an affair that produced a baby out of wedlock.
For years Rock has made his marriage a central theme in his work and stand-up bit. In 2011, he had this observation about the difficulties of marriage: “Nothing gets you ready for marriage, nobody tells you that once you get married you’ll never (bleep) again. … Marriage is so tough man, Nelson Mandela got divorced. He got out of jail after 27 years of torture, spent six months with his wife and said, ‘I can’t take this s - - - no more.’ ”
Chris has retained the counsel of powerhouse divorce attorney Robert S. Cohen, which to some indicates that he could be gearing up for a custody battle.
The couple have two daughters, Lola Simone, 12, and Zahra Savannah, 10.
