Australian darling Isla Fisher “contacted the UK’s most-fearsome divorce lawyer two years ago” but the actress only revealed her bombshell split from husband Sacha Baron Cohen to the public last week.
In what almost seemed like a joke, the comedy duo shared a picture of them both in tennis outfits, revealing that it’s game over for their “long match” after 20 years together – 13 of which they were married.
The couple, who share three kids together – Olive, 16, Elula, 13, and Montgomery, nine – penned a revealing Instagram post. “In 2023 we jointly filed to end our marriage. We have always prioritised our privacy, and have been working through this change,” they wrote. “We forever share in our devotion and love for our children. We sincerely appreciate you respecting our family’s wish for privacy.”
While the pair might have seemed like Hollywood’s golden couple for years, the signs of trouble were hiding in plain sight for those looking closely enough.
TIGHT-LIPPED
One of the most tell-tale signs that the couple had called it quits on their relationship was the fact that Isla, 48, kept her ring finger well-hidden during recent red carpet events.
On several occasions, the ex-Home And Away star was pictured putting her hand in her pockets or on her hip and turning it away from cameras to obscure any vision of a wedding ring – or lack thereof.
And, while it’s still unknown exactly when in 2023 the couple separated, they’ve been absent from each other’s social media accounts in recent months.
The last image Isla shared of the couple was in November last year, while the last picture of Isla that Sacha, 52, shared was in February 2023.
What’s more, in typical single girl fashion, Isla has also been spending a lot of time with her famous friends recently.
Just last week she enjoyed a girls’ night at the theatre alongside actress Michelle Dockery, Naomi Watts and film producer Bruna Papandrea.
Interestingly, Isla didn’t give anything away about the pair’s secret split during an interview on Kelly Clarkson’s chat show earlier this year, where she was asked about her Valentine’s Day traditions.
“Every year Sacha does give me a card that says ‘Happy Valentine’s from…’and then there’s this massive question mark, as if anyone else would… as if I’d have any other Valentines,” she said seemingly gushing over her husband.
However, tensions in their marriage reportedly started last year after the couple clashed over where to live, with Sacha keen to return to the UK instead of Isla’s hometown of Perth.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Now, the couple are set to battle it out over custody of their three children and their $76 million estate, which includes several properties around the globe.
Sources claim that Isla, keen to prepare for the worst, reached out to celebrity divorce lawyer Baroness Fiona Shackleton before her split. “Isla has known for some time that the marriage was over, and after some difficult conversations with Sacha, made the decision to consult a divorce lawyer,” an insider told The Sun. “This was back in early summer 2022.”
It has been reported that Sacha has also consulted with top lawyer Laura Wasser, who represented Johnny Depp in his split from Amber Heard.
The couple are understood to still be living together with their children, and have been advised to remain amicable during the proceedings.
“However, with Fiona on board, no stone will be left unturned if things did start to turn nasty – which neither of them want.”
