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After 22 years of marriage and two children together, acclaimed actor Colin Firth and his wife,  Livia Firth have decided to get a divorce. Unfortunately, splits and divorces are very common in Hollywood. Typically, a couple cites irreconcilable differences. After all, the life of an A-list actor is typically supercharged, taking them away from their family for long stretches of time.

However, the Love Actually star and his wife’s divorce isn’t as straight forward as one might assume. In fact, it involves a scandalous affair and allegations of stalking.

Colin Firth and Livia Giuggioli attend the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City
Colin Firth and Livia Giuggioli attend the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City | Matt Winkelmeyer/MG18/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue.

Colin and Livia Firth have announced their decision to divorce

Colin and Livia Firth first met in 1996 on the set of the BBC drama Nostromo. The couple wed one year later and promptly moved to Umbria, Italy where they raised their two sons.

They were last seen together on the Green Carpet Fashion Awards during Milan Fashion Week back in September 2019. Now, just before the holidays, they’ve decided to announce their intent to divorce.

“Colin and Livia Firth have separated. They maintain a close friendship and remain united in their love for their children,” the former couple’s rep said in a statement to People. “They kindly ask for privacy. There will be no further comment.”

Colin Firth and Livia Firth attend the European Premiere of "Mary Poppins Returns" at Royal Albert Hall on December 12, 2018 in London, England
Colin Firth and Livia Firth attend the European Premiere of “Mary Poppins Returns” at Royal Albert Hall on December 12, 2018 in London, England | Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Livia Firth had a brief affair in 2016

This is not the first time the Firths have been in the news. In March 2018, the soon-to-be ex-couple announced that Livia had had an affair with journalist Marco Brancaccia when she and Colin were separated.

“A few years ago Colin and Livia privately made the decision to separate,” the Firths said in a statement. “During that time Livia briefly became involved with former friend Mr. Brancaccia. The Firths have since reunited.”

The Firths were forced to reveal their separation since Brancaccia had begun stalking Firth when she ended their affair.

Colin Firth and Livia Firth attend the Chopard Bond Street Boutique reopening on June 17, 2019 in London, England
Colin Firth and Livia Firth attend the Chopard Bond Street Boutique reopening on June 17, 2019 in London, England | David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Marco Brancaccia stalked and harrassed Livia Firth

In 2017 — Livia Firth filed a police report in Italy claiming that Brancaccia had launched a “frightening campaign of harassment.” The journalist adamantly denied stalking Firth at the time.

“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,” Brancaccia told People. “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.”

However, after police found “abusive messages and emails” on Brancaccia’s phone aimed at the Firths– the journalist was officially charged with stalking. In the end, in order to maintain some sort of privacy, the matter was settled out of court in July 2018.

“In the best interests of their families, the parties have agreed a private settlement,” lawyers for both parties said in a statement to People. “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.”

Unfortunately, the separation, affair, and stalking proved to take too much of a toll on the Firths marriage.

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