Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron: Timeline of their private relationship that lasted 20 years

Australian actress Isla Fisher and English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen announced on Friday 5 April that they officially split in 2023. The couple are known for keeping their private life private, but decided to share the news now with a touching snap and explanation. They posted a picture of the two of them in matching tennis outfits and wrote:

After a long tennis match lasting over 20 years, we are finally putting our racquets down.

In 2023 we jointly filed to end our marriage. We have always prioritized our privacy and have been quietly working through this change.

We forever share in our devotion and love for our children. We sincerely appreciate your respecting our family's wish for privacy.

They now join the list of celeb couples who broke up last year and, though their statement seems very simple and fair, there may be more to the story.

Isla rumoured to have seen divorce lawyer

It turns out that Isla had been thinking about divorce for some time, according to a source who told TheSun: 'Isla has known for some time the marriage was over, and after some difficult conversations with Sacha, made the decision to consult a divorce lawyer. This was back in early summer, 2022.' Isla is rumoured to have sought the advice of Baroness Fiona Shackleton, a legal expert who charges £550 per hour. That being said, she definitely knows her stuff; Shackleton was involved in Sir Paul McCartney's £24million separation from Heather Mills.

On Sacha's end, the comedian is said to have spoken with Laura Wasser regarding his divorce. Wasser famously worked with Johnny Depp during his acrimonious split with Amber Heard, and was even involved in Angelina Jolie's divorce from Brad Pitt. Shackleton reportedly urged Isla and Sacha to keep their separation amicable, for the sake of their children, and both sides seem to be in agreement that this is the best path. As their relationship is at its end, let's take a look over their years together from meeting in Australia to getting married and having three kids together.

Read more:

⋙ Elizabeth Hurley speaks out about rumour Prince Harry lost his virginity to her

⋙ The 25 celebrity couple break-ups we didn't see coming

⋙ Cher and Tom Cruise used to date: These are some other celeb couples from the history books
Sources used:

Daily Mail: Isla Fisher 'contacted UK's most-fearsome divorce lawyer TWO YEARS ago... before split from Sacha Baron Cohen': Actress drafted in 'Steel Magnolia' Fiona Shackleton - who worked for Sir Paul McCartney and Princes Charles and Andrew - 'in 2022'

US Weekly: Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen’s Relationship Timeline