Chris Harrison Divorces From Wife of 18 Years
Chris Harrison, host of ABC's "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette," is divorcing from his wife of 18 years, Gwen, People magazine confirmed Friday.
The couple told People magazine exclusively that they are planning to split after "after much heartfelt consideration."
The couple, who met at while attending the Oklahoma City University, has two children, son Joshua, 9, and daughter Taylor, 7.
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In a joint statement to People, the couple said: "Though we have made this incredibly difficult decision to separate, our love and mutual respect remain, and we look forward to sharing in the lives of our wonderful children."
According to Reuters, Harrison, 40, and his wife will probably have to deal with community property laws, as they live in California, a community property state.
Community property means that when a couple marries, all of the assets acquired during marriage belong to both of them equally.
The ex-couple will also have to deal with child custody rights with their two children, which include deciding who will retain primary custody, visitation schedules, and child support payments, according to Reuters.
Many are seeing this split as ironic, as Harrison's job as host of "The Bachelor" is to help men and women find "Mr. or Mrs. Right."
According to MSN's Wonderwall, Bachelor contestant Rozlyn Papa accused Harrison of hitting on a producer's wife while taping the show in New Zealand in Feb. 2010.
Harrison strongly denied the accusation during "The Bachelor: Women Tell All Special," saying, "I won't even dignify that with a response."
Harrison, hailing from Dallas, Texas, has been the host of "The Bachelor" since 2002, and its spinoffs "The Bachelorette" since 2003 and "Bachelor Pad" in 2010.
