Elizabeth Gilbert has revealed that she and husband Jose Nunes are separating. The author, who detailed how she fell in love with Nunes in Eat Pray Love, announced the news on her Facebook page Friday morning.
“I am separating from the man whom many of you know as “Felipe” — the man whom I fell in love with at the end of the EAT PRAY LOVE journey,” wrote Gilbert. “He has been my dear companion for over 12 years, and they have been wonderful years. Our split is very amicable. Our reasons are very personal.”
Gilbert said she is sharing the news since she has been open about her personal life in the past. However, just because she has written about their relationship in her books like Eat Pray Love and Committed, that doesn’t mean she’s inviting the public to intrude on her privacy.
“At this time of transition, I hope you will respect our privacy,” said Gilbert. “In my heart, I know that you will do so, because I trust that you understand how this is a story that I am living — not a story that I am telling.”
Gilbert said she may be absent from social media during this time. She shared a poem called “Failing and Flying” by Jack Gilbert and said it’s been carrying her through the experience.
In Eat Pray Love, Gilbert detailed the end of her first marriage, her ensuing divorce, and her journey to Italy, India and Bali. In Bali she met Nunes, who was called Felipe in the book. Julia Roberts played Gilbert in the movie adaptation of Eat Pray Love, with Javier Bardem playing Felipe.
