Former Vice President Al Gore to separate from wife Tipper after 40 years of marriage

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, are separating after 40 years of marriage.

According to an e-mailed statement obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, the Gores said it was "a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration."

Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider confirmed the statement came from the Gores, but declined to comment further.

Read more: http://www.wreg.com/news/sns-ap-tn--gore-separation,0,7703509.story

---

I guess it's true.

[Botany]

1. I wish them well

They are both really great people.

:cry:

[LynneSin]

2. I always thought it would be the Clintons that divorced first

Go figure

[no_hypocrisy]

5. I JUST said that to someone in the office . . . . .

[MidwestTransplant]

16. The Gore's seemed to have a more authentic relationship.

[msanthrope]

19. How do you know the inner workings of someone else's marriage? n/t

[LynneSin]

26. You don't but perception wise I think alot of folks thought the Gore's had a better relationship.

The Clintons seemed more like partners both out to achieve a goal and never really had that warm & affectionate look that the Gore's had.

But who knew?

[Beacool]

35. Perceptions are misleading.

The Clintons may have what most people would think of as a dysfunctional marriage, but those who are close to them know that there's a lot of love between them.

;)

[crim son]

69. Yeah, perceptions are misleading.

How dare you even speculate? :eyes:

[RobinA]

92. Maybe Perceptions

are correct in this case. Maybe "partners" is a better basis for marriage. Or some marriages.

[glitch]

135. Perhaps they do. Divorce can be a sign of health in a relationship. nt

[nilram]

122. and I thought the Bushes would have divorced by, oh, about ten minutes after his term ended.

shrug.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. Holy smokes!

:wow:

I am so sorry to read this. :(

[msanthrope]

4. I wish them both all the best. n/t

[karynnj]

6. So sorry to read this - they always seemed just a real and mutually supportive couple

College sweethearts through the public spotlight of the Vice Presidency and a Presidential run.

[Flying Dream Blues]

7. Surprising and sad. I wish them all the best, though. nt

[SharonRB]

8. I just got an MSNBC alert about this on my phone

This is just awful. I feel terrible about it. They always seemed so happy together.

[sandnsea]

9. I gasped out loud

I am shocked and deeply saddened.

[SharonRB]

10. Same here

When I got the alert, I went "OMG" out loud, and I'm alone in my home office.

[Samantha]

126. I am ashamed to say I cried

Obviously this is what they both have agreed to do, and I wish nothing but the best for both of them.

It is indeed so sad to see them part.

Sam

[Lone_Star_Dem]

13. I did the same

It came across my news feed and I went, "what! no way is this true!" I always viewed them as one of the good couples. Which goes to show how little we really know about the private lives of public figures.

[snappyturtle]

84. Me too! I'm on the last legs of my marriage, divorce final in

less than three weeks. I wouldn't wish this upon anyone and am so surprised by this. I think most divorces are because people go their separate ways for one reason or another. Sad.

[MissDeeds]

103. Me too

Absolutely shocked. It is just heartbreaking, especially since they have been married forty years. Whatever the reason, I think it's safe to say they came to this decision after much soul searching. It's an understatement to say it has to be very painful for them and their family. I wish them peace, and privacy. :grouphug:

[TeaBagsAreForCups]

11. In better days....

[JDPriestly]

88. Boxy language once again.

He has his arms around her. She holds her elbows back away from him and grabs his arms. That may possibly say it all.

[joeybee12]

12. Well that sucks...

Guess it shows you how private they kept their personal lives when none of us saw this coming.

[karynnj]

17. Which is how it should be - they actually have not been that much in the

spotlight since 2000. Al Gore has, but as an activist on climate change.

[wuushew]

14. I hope Al grows his beard back now.

n/t

[Control-Z]

134. He did look hot

with the beard. I'm not that much of a facial hair kind of gal, but Al wore his well, and sexy!!

I wish them both well, but can't help hoping for reconciliation, even though it is something neither of them apparently wants. It's just sad to see such good people grow away from each other after so much time and history together.

My ideal life would have included a spouse to grow old with, or the personality to thrive on my own.

[wordpix]

146. I would date Al in a minute but separated men often get back together with their wives

[Lisa0825]

15. Damn... I thought they were such a cute couple. nt

[spooky3]

18. I am always astonished when people who have been together so long separate

I wish them both well and thank them for their public service.

[Delphinus]

56. Me too.

Had friends of mine get divorced after 30+ years and I was stunned.

[meow mix]

20. good move al

just sayin, i never cared for tipper much lol

[Seedersandleechers]

45. especially

during the time Al was in office (VP), and she was in a censorship mode.

[texastoast]

81. I didn't see it so much as censorship

But more as full disclosure to protect young minds from negativity. I believe her heart was in the right place.

[Doctor_J]

138. Warning labels are not censorship

Censorship is where someone besides the artist tells the artist what (s)he can publish. By artist, I mean songwriter, singer, magazine writer, screen writer, etc. Requiring warning labels does not does not fit the definition.

[Mad_Dem_X]

21. Damn.

After 40 years, too. What makes a couple decide to separate after 40 years??

Sadness. :cry:

[elleng]

75. Issues that have bothered them for 39, mebbe.

[ginnyinWI]

82. well, I've been married 38 years...

maybe it was nothing more than boredom, or growing apart?

[CBHagman]

90. It's sad but not unheard of.

There are simply so many reasons a couple could decide to call it quits. While it's shocking, it can happen after seven, 25, 50 years.

The older I get, the less I am inclined to judge -- not that I'm accusing you of judging, but I do get that people assumed the Gores' marriage must have been pretty damn solid to have lasted this long.

But no one is precisely the same person at 35, 50, 65 that he/she is at 22.

[florida08]

22. that is a surprise

They just had their 40th celebration. What a shame. I wish them both the best

[NewJeffCT]

23. I'm sorry to hear this

I'm really shocked to hear it, though - especially after 40 years together.

[Kahuna]

24. Uh uh!

:cry:

[Democat]

25. I haven't like Tipper since the PMRC, but this is a shock.

I always thought of them as a pair. Hope the best for both of them.

[newtothegame]

27. I thought we loved divorce? Lemme go back and check but I swear the Rove divorce post 6 mo ago...nt

[Skinner]

28. I can't believe it!

Just heard on NPR. What a shock!

[Dawson Leery]

32. Same here.

[ecstatic]

29. Maybe their break up is related to the oil spill?

A lot of people are becoming filled with rage over the oil spill--there was a case of a man who attacked his girlfriend over an oil-spill related argument. I'm wondering if the oil-spill might be what did the Gores in?

[Common Sense Party]

128. You think their 4-decade marriage ended due to oil spill rage?

What are you smoking?

[LibDemAlways]

30. I actually thought to myself, "Is it April 1st?" when I saw this.

I wish them both well. Separating after 40 years and all they've been through together must have been a very difficult and painful decision.

[BrklynLiberal]

31. My jaw almost broke as it dropped.

How sad...for everyone involved.

[rasputin1952]

33. Oh man...

I still remember The Kiss:

IN Vice President Al Gore's campaign to change his robotic image, nothing may have helped more than the big smooch. Mr. Gore stepped on stage at the Democratic Convention on Thursday and greeted his wife, Tipper, with a quick embrace and a kiss on the lips. But instead of letting go, as nice politicians are supposed to, he wrapped her tighter in his arms, closed his eyes and gave her a full-mouthed kiss that lasted a exceptionally long time. (Actually three seconds; we have tapes; we've counted.)

<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/20/weekinreview/the-nation-when-a-kiss-isn-t-just-a-kiss.html

[glinda]

46. I always saw her body language as "pushing him away". I wish them happiness.

[Still Blue in PDX]

73. I, too, but considering her prudishness about record lyrics she may have been embarrassed.

I have to say, though, that when I was younger and more inclined to black-and-white thinking I was in her corner regarding those explicit lyrics.

:blush:

[glinda]

124. bet she is more high strung and he is more laid back

[lunatica]

130. She's not pushing him away. His thumb is caught in the sleeve of her jacket.

That explains why she seems to be pushing him away.

[kestrel91316]

139. You are correct. He accidentally snagged her arm. That alone may have

made her part more awkward since she couldn't see to free it .

[Still Blue in PDX]

141. Good catch! I see that now. nt

[Festivito]

115. I must say, that kiss did not look like an enjoyable kiss.

It was more like a bad actor's show kiss. Or, a good actor's show of how to show a bad kiss.

Sorry Al. I wish I could teach you some of those important things to know in life.

I feel sad for them. Forty years. I hope they each find happiness and kisses that look and feel right, but, of course, mostly, that feel right.

[rasputin1952]

120. I think she was taken aback...

this was not one of those, bush "kisses" or even a Nixon or Reagan kiss. Generally they are a peck, this was a first, (for presidential prospects), and I think it surprised her...;)

I just had a mental pic of the above... Nixon, Regan and both bush's, slapping a wet one on their spouses... and now I'm nauseous...:D

[Beacool]

34. I just heard it on the radio.

Color me shocked!!! They seemed to have such a great marriage. Oh well, one never truly knows what goes on in other people's marriage. I wish them both the best.

:(

[tinrobot]

36. Color me blindsided.

They seemed like the perfect couple.

[Yeahyeah]

37. She found his secret risque record collection.

[Radical Activist]

71. Someone should set Al up with Lil' Kim.

Or some other equally wholesome female musician who has ugly parental warnings fouling up their album art. Is Peaches single?

[marshall]

I wonder how they will divide up their property?

Will he stay in Tennesee, and she relocate or California? At any rate, I suppose they can downsize.

[SnakeEyes]

49. For the sake of the climate

They should downsize and reduce what would be a doubling of their carbon footprint.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

38. So sad

I'm very surprised. :(

[penndragon69]

39. 40 years is a fantastic run.

They had a long and fruitful marriage. Now they can spread their
wings and try some other things.

At least there is no apparent sexual freeplay involved...but you never really
know, do you?

[marshall]

41. I wish them both well

They will always be tied by their children, which was their best project. Now they can devote their free time to their own interests.

[Xenotime]

106. Exactly. How can you get things done while being tied to somebody the rest of your life?

[marlakay]

40. Some people really know how to hide their problems

I never would have guessed. I thought they were close.

[Blasphemer]

42. Very sad and surprising but I'm glad that it is amicable... nt

[saracat]

43. I am stunned, and saddened. The Gores always inspired me and gave me genuine hope

but I guess that was also an illusion. I really wish this wasn't so. I wonder why this happens after so many years? And two weeks afrer celebrating their anniversary? Wow.

[karynnj]

111. It might no have been an illusion - 40 years is a huge amount of time

I am stunned because, like everyone, I did not see this coming. I think we never know what anyone else's marriage is like, including many people we really know well - rather than politicians who we, at best, have some small view of. It is far saner for them to keep as much of their private life private - though that comes at a cost when the media far prefers people who SEEM to allow the public to see the most.

They both seem to be good people and I wish them both the best in finding happiness.

[BeyondGeography]

44. That's pretty brutal for both of them

I hope they come out of it as well as can be.

[xchrom]

47. i wish them both well -- i like them -- and things do change over time. nt

[Proletariatprincess]

48. Separation is not divorce.

It may not come to that...and I don't think it will. Even after 40 years, things happen that can lead to separation. But after spending the majority of ones life with the same person, divorce is less likely than just a period of separation. It could strengthen the relationship in the long run...or not. No one can know what goes on with in a marriage...especially one of such duration.

[CTyankee]

60. Do you wonder if perhaps Gore's preoccupation with environmentalism

finally just got to her? That perhaps she was cut more and more out of his life and needed to carve out something in life for herself, that she couldn't really be much more than an appendage to his preoccupation? Maybe she felt this was her last chance to "get a life." Maybe she wanted to travel and experience new things and just needed to stop being "Mrs. Al Gore" and just be Tipper?

Just my random musings while I sit here, like everyone else, in total shock...

[totodeinhere]

63. I am sure that you mean no harm, but speculation about these things accomplishes nothing.

I am willing to allow the Gores their privacy and wish both of them well.

[CTyankee]

68. I wish them well too. However, they are public figures and we do wonder, if not

trying to do them any harm. It is a kind of political speculation, however, and because I am such a strong feminist I ask these questions. I go no further with the Gores per se because "au fond" it is none of my business. It is, however, a political question in the sense that I have raised it...

[totodeinhere]

87. OK. No problem. n/t

[karynnj]

113. I don't think we will ever know.

I think he is actually less active than he was when he was doing the thousands of talks and then the movie - though it may just be that he is in the news less.

[Dappleganger]

67. It pretty much is.

You cannot divorce in most states until you've been legally separated for a period of time. Once that process begins most people follow it through.

They probably have lived separately but in the same home (or him just traveling on his own) for years. And people can change over time, just not everyone can adapt to the changes.

[wordpix]

148. yes and here's a story about that

I started seeing a friend after he became separated. His wife had gone on vacation in another state 1500 mi. away, "accidentally" met an old boyfriend in the other state and was living with the boyfriend for a year.

When the wife found out her estranged hubby was seeing me (because he told her), she flew into a rage, threatened to commit suicide, professed her undying love and said she wanted him back.

He went back. It's hard to give up decades of shared history with someone, even if part of it isn't good.

[joanmj]

50. A surprise.

Good luck.....40 years is a long time!

[demokatgurrl]

51. Al and Tipper Gore to separate after 40 years

Source: Yahoo news

Hope this is not a dupe.

By ERIK SCHELZIG, Associated Press Writer Erik Schelzig, Associated Press Writer – 47 mins ago
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, are separating after 40 years of marriage.

According to an e-mail circulated among the couple's friends and obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, the Gores said it was "a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration."


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100601/ap_on_re_us/us_gore_separation

[skyounkin]

52. I just saw this

Heartbreaking...I wish them both well.

[myrna minx]

53. How sad.

:-(

[n2doc]

54. very sad

I hope there is no sleaze factor coming up as a reason for this.

[Jennicut]

57. Nope. Seems they just were not spending enough time with each other anymore.

Back to Google News
Gore associates: No affair involved in separation

By RON FOURNIER (AP) – 39 minutes ago

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, are telling friends they "grew apart" after 40 years of marriage and there was no affair involved.

According to two long-time close associates and family friends, the Gores say they are separating amicably. Their decision came after a "long process of careful consideration," said one of the associates.

They both spoke on condition of anonymity.

The associates said the Gores, over time, had carved out separate lives, with the former vice president on the road frequently. One of the associates said: "Their lives had gotten more and more separated."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iThExauUhRX4LGfw1eMoHsTnabEQD9G2JQS81

[customerserviceguy]

119. Ten years ago

I would have never believed that Al and Tipper would be splitsville, while Bill and Hillary would still be married.

[Deep13]

55. Shit!

:(

[davekriss]

58. I find this very sad

I wish them all the best, but love is all that counts. Never, once found, should any of us let it fade out.

[hollowdweller]

114. Amen!

Always thought that Paul McCartney's long marriage to Linda was as an amazing feat as his musical career. Really sad they apparently grew apart.

Maybe if they are separate and can reflect on their shared experiences together they will have a change of heart.

[lumpy]

59. Proof that there is no such thing as a perfect marriage.

It is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish in human life.

[NashVegas]

61. "mutual and mutually supportive"

When I see that, I usually assume one of the partners is experiencing/has experienced a major, major "life" change.

[McCamy Taylor]

62. That means Gore is available again? Be still my heart!

Best looking man in politics ever !

[musette_sf]

64. he's prolly hot for

Laurie David. just sayin'.....

[demokatgurrl]

86. Must confess that for a millisecond

I had the same evil thought. Not for me, mind you- I'm still hitched.

[AlbertCat]

102. I even kinda liked the beard

[FailureToCommunicate]

65. Another casualty of Climate Change? Al spending too much time on the cause (for all of us)

and his marriage suffered? Wouldn't be the first...

Still sad to hear

I keep thinking of that wonderful SNL skit where Gore IS president and he talks about the success of energy conservation efforts such that the Big Oil companies are hurting (lower sales/ prices) and suggesting we, the compassionate citizens, would of course help bail them out of their hard times ("...cause they would do the same for us")

[musette_sf]

66. Is this the other shoe dropping...

on the Larry and Laurie David split???

Are Al and Laurie gonna be the New Two You couple of the year?

?????

[Still Blue in PDX]

70. They've both undoubtedly changed a lot since their college sweetheart days.

I wouldn't presume to guess their reasons, but I wish them both well, and I won't consider the marriage over until the divorce is final.

[crim son]

72. The local paper reported this and the comments are

embarrassing. Every hateful conservative has oozed out of his or her crack to express their joy at the news of the split. Disgusting.

[Still Blue in PDX]

74. No surprises there. Shame on them. nt

[mnhtnbb]

76. Now that's a surprise.

[420inTN]

77. Guess the Love Story has ended.

too soon?

[quiet.american]

78. Normally, when I post "I'm stunned," it's total sarcasm on my part. Not this time - I'm stunned. nt

[Kolesar]

79. Ass. Press F**khead Ron Fournier mentions Lewinski in the first paragraph of his "story"

news.yahoo.com

[AlbertCat]

80. Well, that's interesting. Hope it all works out for the best. next!

I mean, the Gore's personal life is not top priority for me. And they aren't "family Values" hypocrites so there's no need to point out anything or dwell on it....y'know?

[azmouse]

83. How sad.

They always seemed to be so happy together.

[buff2]

85. This news sucks

I never would have thought they would end their marriage. Is everything a facade these days? Geesus.

[klook]

89. She didn't want to live in the igloo with him any more

It's starting to melt...

[Lugnut]

91. Well, that sucks eggs.

I'm really sorry to hear this. My best wishes to them both.

[Demeter]

93. After 40 Years, Why? What's the Point?

Stupid, stupid, stupid....and disappointing. So which one is chasing tail?

[Raine]

118. Those were my first thoughts

seems pointless unless there is "third party" in the mix.

[greiner3]

94. Could be why Al did not run in 2008;

That Tipper was saying things about her needs and Al thought of his marriage first.

Just saying.

[LiberalFighter]

95. How many marriages lasted 40 years from 1 AD to 1800 AD?

[road2000]

96. They are both admirable people.

This has not changed. Both have big hearts and a capacity for humanitarianism that knows no bounds. My respect for each has not lessened with this upsetting news, and I am convinced they meant exactly what they said in their e-mail. There's no place for joking speculation here.

[orbitalman]

97. If them, what about mine??? nt

[Odin2005]

98. I never liked her, she is one of the hysterical anti-video game fanatics.

[davidwparker]

99. was shocked when I heard this during Thom's show. you never know .... n/t

[DFW]

100. Very sad.

I'll bet there was plenty to this that we haven't heard (and won't, and probably shouldn't).

[emmadoggy]

101. Shocked and saddened to hear this, but I wish them both the best. nt

[Myrina]

104. Shocking and Sad to hear, but ...

Hey Al, I'm single!!!!! :loveya: :loveya:

[Xenotime]

105. Reight wingers are going to love this.

[colsohlibgal]

107. Wow!

I'm not sure I'd have been more surprised if an alien spaceship landed on the White House lawn. I know people grow apart, but it usually happens, or is acted upon much sooner than 40 years. Maybe in the end it was the difference in the coolness factor, I know Tipper is renowned for her stance on CD's, but other than that she always struck me as being way hipper than Al and his monotone. or maybe Al blew up when she pitched a pizza box instead of recycling it.

[TheCowsCameHome]

108. You never know..........you just never know.

Good luck to both of them

[WinkyDink]

109. I cannot accept this. Does. Not. Compute!!

[bitchkitty]

110. It's too bad.

Here's hoping that their separation doesn't subject them to any public scrutiny or malicious gossip.

[polichick]

112. Odd timing, considering they just bought a new house last month. nt

[eridani]

116. Ending it amicably after recognizing that you have have drifted apart over the years

--is probably the easiest kind of divorce. They'll both be fine--probably have had separate lives since their kids left home.

[onehandle]

117. Thanks, Ralph.

Yeah. You heard me.

[tomp]

137. another delusional naderphobe heard from. nt

[qanda]

121. I could not believe this when I first heard it

I wish them both well.

[Doremus]

123. Wonder which one is having their midlife crisis, or both. nt

[rosesaylavee]

125. Very shocking

and so very sad. I hope this is a separation only.

[Catherina]

127. These things happen. Best of luck to both of them n/t

[Common Sense Party]

129. Didn't they author a couple books about family values a decade ago?

[glitch]

136. And? Divorce can be the most healthy choice for a family. nt

[RedState_progressive]

131. Al's failure to fight the 2000 election coup...wonder if that drove them apart..

I have a great deal for respect for AL gore, and also Tipper, in a different way. I thing it is sad. For gosh sakes they are in their 60's - got to be...
I wonder if Al Gore's failure in 2000 to fight the SCOTUS coup in the Congress...to get just one senator to contest the results...that was all that was needed. given what has happened to the nation, and how different it would be nowdays with 8 years of Al Gore rather than war ciminal Dubya...could that have failed to have an impact on Tipper's respect for her husband?
Just some thoughts.

[neverforgetflorida]

143. Gore did all he could in 2000

As someone who spent 15 years volunteering on election campaigns when I lived in Florida, I write to strongly object to red state progressive's comment as it has no basis in fact. I know the laws that the Bush election stealers broke and the disputed territory like the back of my hand. Red state progressive has no such experience. The truth is, Al Gore did all he could for 36 days in 2000 short of starting a civil war. It' s long overdue to place the blame where it belongs which is with the Bush election stealers. I think famed prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi has said it best, "none dare call it treason". Blaming Al Gore for what the Bush election stealers did is like blaming crime victims for the illegal behavior of the crimminals. As for the U.S. Senate, the republicans were solidly on board with the Bush coup and the democrats did nothing because they all wanted to run their own sham campaigns for President and they didn't want to have to run against an incumbant democratic President. Our country wil pay forever for their failure to act.

[lunatica]

132. First Susan Sarandon and Tim Robins and now the Gores?!

Damn! That's two marriages I thought would last the rest of their lives! What next? Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell?!

My world is falling into that sink hole in Guatemala City. Man oh man...

[wordpix]

147. Susan and Tim? I didn't hear that...sad

[politmuse1]

133. So I'll blame this on the coup, too

I know. This is no time for cheap shots. I know nothing and I'm just stunned and saddened like everyone else. But sometimes you just need to find a villain, and in this case he's so easy to find.

No, I can't claim that if Al Gore had been inaugurated president in 2001 and even served two happy terms, his marriage would be 100% intact. Maybe it would have disintegrated sooner. Maybe never. But we all know what a horrible blow that entire coup was for the Gores, and how stressful it must have been to never vent, never scream bloody murder, just play the nice guy and joke about it. To this day I've not come to terms with it, so why should I expect that President Gore has? And if so, it's not a huge stretch of the imagination to consider that a painful situation like that could have put a big strain on their marriage. Chances are there was a straw that broke this camel's back, but maybe a happier decade might have made the difference. Just maybe ...

[glinda]

140. of course separating is not the same as divorce

[L. Coyote]

142. I'd like to see 140 replies on DU to issues that really matter, FCS!!!

[defendandprotect]

144. No real problems . . . money, children grown -- not the worst time to do this ...

though they did buy quite a new home just a few years ago --

[EgyptianGirl]

145. sad

:(