Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman mark 41st anniversary as they never officially divorced after 2017 split
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman completed 41 years together as a married couple on Saturday, January 28. While the pair aren't truly married anymore, they are not officially divorced either. DeVito and Perlman initially separated in 2012, and after that, they shortly came back together for five years only to part ways again in 2017. The split came after 35 years of a successful marriage even though many hoped that it was a temporary phase.
After nearly six years of splitting up, Perlman talked about the separation and admitted that things most likely "worked out for the best" between her and DeVito, although she often misses his company, as per People. The 74-year-old reflected on their relationship, sharing how the separated couple remains on close terms and stays in touch to preserve their friendship. They also share a close family bond with their children, Lucy DeVito, Grace DeVito, and Jack DeVito.
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The pair reportedly met each other in 1971 when DeVito was performing in a stage production of 'The Shrinking Bride', and Perlman was in the audience. Both DeVito and Perlman worked in the entertainment industry and shared screens together in a TV show called ‘Taxi’. The ‘Twins’ actor proposed to Perlman in 1982, on January 28, and the two started a family only a little while later. After spending more than three decades as a happily married couple, the pair announced their first separation in 2012. Perlman told People at the time: "Sometimes I wish we were still together because those were the glory days, but these are other kinds of glory days."
She further confessed that even though they are not together, the former couple spends time together as a family and still enjoys each other's company without the need for anything more. "We can do things together, we can do things separately. I'm really, really glad that Danny and I were able to navigate some rough days to be able to have this different kind of relationship. I think it's pretty rare, but we agree on so many things that it makes sense,” said Perlman.
When asked about her relationship with DeVito and how the couple remains friends, Perlman revealed that she would probably never officially divorce her ex-husband. "Danny and I have always loved each other and we have three amazing children together. We really agree on almost everything important,” she told People in May 2019. “But, I'm not getting divorced," she added. "No, no, no. What for? We do live separately. We see each other a lot too."
The actress also explained that she doesn't see why they should get divorced. The couple apparently lives separately and leads separate lives while maintaining a healthy friendship. She further added their family members understand their relationship and see no issues with it. Thus, Perlman has no reason for an official divorce. She also admitted that the initial separation took a toll on both of their lives but neither of them showed it.