Former New York mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, have announced their plans to separate after nearly 30 years of marriage. McCray confirmed the news in an email to The Washington Post.
The couple made their separation public in an announcement published in the New York Times on Wednesday. According to McCray, they made the decision about two months ago. However, they will not be filing for divorce and will continue to live together in their Brooklyn townhouse while dating other people.
McCray stated, “We will live with greater independence from each other. It’s fair to say the relationship was not fulfilling for us anymore.” The couple chose to go public with their announcement to avoid any misconceptions about their actions and behavior.
In a three-hour interview with the Times, de Blasio and McCray revealed that their relationship had become stale in recent years, and they had lost the spark. They both felt the need for a change. The challenges posed by the pandemic and de Blasio’s unsuccessful presidential bid in 2020 also strained their relationship.
De Blasio tweeted, “Even at this moment of change, this is a love story.” However, he did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Both de Blasio and McCray acknowledged that de Blasio’s tenure as New York mayor contributed to their separation. The overwhelming schedule and constant tasks took a toll on their relationship, according to de Blasio.
The former mayor also expressed doubts about their relationship due to an article McCray wrote in 1979 titled “I Am a Lesbian.” In the article, McCray revealed her preference for women before getting married and having children. However, she later put aside her assumptions about love when she fell for de Blasio.
De Blasio, who is White, and McCray, who is Black, first met in the ’90s while working under former New York mayor David Dinkins, the city’s first Black mayor. They tied the knot in 1994 and have two adult children.
During their time in the spotlight, McCray led the mental health program ThriveNYC, while de Blasio became a prominent figure as New York mayor. McCray currently works as a senior adviser at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, while de Blasio is a visiting professor at New York University.
McCray expressed her surprise and relief at the mostly positive feedback she received after announcing their separation. She hopes that people will be inspired by their love for each other and their children as they navigate this new chapter in their lives.
How did Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray’s prominent political roles impact their decision to separate?
E added that they have been in couples therapy for the past year in an effort to salvage their marriage, but ultimately decided that separating was the best decision for both of them.
Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray met while they were both working for former mayor David Dinkins in the early 1990s. They got married in 1994 and have two children together, Dante and Chiara.
Throughout their marriage, de Blasio and McCray have been a prominent political couple in New York City. McCray played a major role in her husband’s political campaigns, and in 2013, she became the city’s first lady when de Blasio was elected mayor.
During de Blasio’s mayoral tenure, McCray has focused on mental health initiatives and has been an advocate for issues such as ending sexual assault and supporting women’s rights.
Their separation comes at a time when de Blasio is in his final months as mayor, with his term set to end in December. The couple assured the public that their separation will not affect de Blasio’s ability to carry out his duties as mayor.
De Blasio and McCray expressed their commitment to co-parenting their children and continuing to support each other in their individual endeavors. They emphasized that while their marriage was ending, their friendship and partnership would continue.
News of their separation has sparked speculation about de Blasio’s future political ambitions. There have been rumors that he may consider running for governor of New York, but he has not made any official announcements.
Overall, the separation of Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray marks the end of a long and significant chapter in their lives. As they transition into this new phase, both individually and together, they remain committed to their children and to serving their community.
“Sad to hear about Bill de Blasio and his wife’s separation after three decades of marriage. Wishing them both strength and peace during this difficult time.”