Jewel, Rodeo Star Ty Murray Split After 16 Years

Jewel and rodeo star Ty Murray are splitting after nearly six years of marriage and 16 years together.

"My husband, friend and partner of 16 years and I have decided to get a divorce," Jewel announced on her blog. "For some time we have been engaged in a private and difficult, but thoughtful and tender undoing of ourselves. Allowing ourselves the time and space to redefine what we are to each other with love rather than malice.

"Oddly the very thing that Ty and I sought in coming together is the very thing we seek in separating. We both value growth," Jewel explained. "And growth became tragically and undeniably stifled as a couple, and we believe we can find it again in setting each other free.  We truly believe we can find greater happiness apart than together, and this is why we are taking the enormous and heartbreaking step of divorce."

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Jewel, 40, and Murray, 44, eloped to the Bahamas in August 2008, but the private couple hasn't been spotted on a red carpet together since December 2012. In the post, Jewel asked fans to "honor and have reverence for how difficult this journey is" and give the couple time to "not only grieve the loss of our marriage" but also "recreate ourselves in the ashes — for from all death we trust a phoenix rises."

Jewel concluded with a message from her and Murray regarding their son Kase, who turns 3 next Friday: "Our dedication to our son is unwavering and we are both committed to being the best partners in raising our son. Due to the spirit in which we have gone about this separation, we trust we can remain dear friends who hold each other in high esteem, which is so important to us as parents- as we wish only what is best for our son."

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