Chris Rock Splits With Wife of Nearly Two Decades

Chris Rock and his wife are ending their marriage after almost two decades.

Both the actor-comedian and his philanthropist wife, Malaak Compton-Rock, have confirmed the split, People.com reports. The pair, who were married in 1996, have two children together.

"After much contemplation and 19 years of marriage, Chris and I have decided to go our separate ways," Compton-Rock said in a statement Sunday (Dec. 28). "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."

The 'Top Five' star confirmed the news via his lawyer. "Chris Rock has filed for divorce from his wife, Malaak," attorney Robert S. Cohen said in a statement. "This is a personal matter and Chris requests privacy as he and Malaak work through this process and focus on their family.”

The couple have two daughters, 12-year-old Lola Simone and 10-year-old Zahra Savannah.

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