Title: Former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Wife Chirlane McCray Announce Separation After 30 Years of Marriage
In a surprising announcement, former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, have revealed that they will be separating after three decades of marriage. McCray confirmed the news in an email to The Washington Post.
The couple made the decision to separate approximately two months ago but will not be filing for divorce. Instead, they plan to explore dating other people while continuing to live together in their Brooklyn townhouse, as McCray disclosed to The Post.
McCray described the separation as an opportunity for both of them to experience greater independence. “It’s fair to say the relationship was not fulfilling for us anymore,” she said. The decision to announce their separation publicly was made to avoid any misinterpretation of their actions and behavior.
During a three-hour interview with The New York Times, both de Blasio and McCray admitted that their relationship had grown stale in recent years, with the spark between them disappearing. They attributed the strain on their marriage to factors such as the ongoing pandemic and de Blasio’s unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2020.
De Blasio took to Twitter to address the announcement, describing their separation as a “love story.” However, he did not respond immediately to The Washington Post’s request for further comment.
Both de Blasio and McCray acknowledged that the demands of de Blasio’s tenure as New York mayor also strained their relationship. The former mayor spoke about the overwhelming schedule and constant tasks that took a toll on their connection, stating that it “took away a little bit of our soul.”
Interestingly, de Blasio revealed that he had harbored doubts about their relationship due to McCray’s article titled “I Am a Lesbian,” which she penned in 1979. The article discussed her preference for women before her marriage and children. Despite his initial concerns, de Blasio decided to pursue their relationship.
The couple first met in the 1990s while working for former New York mayor David Dinkins, the city’s first Black mayor. They tied the knot in 1994 and have two children, both now in their twenties.
De Blasio’s time as mayor brought the couple into the public eye, with McCray leading the mental health initiative called ThriveNYC. She continues to work in the mental health sector as a senior advisor at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. De Blasio, on the other hand, is currently a visiting professor at New York University, teaching a class on public policy.
McCray expressed her surprise and relief at the overwhelmingly positive feedback they received after announcing their separation. She hopes that their enduring love for each other and their children will inspire others and help them navigate this new chapter in their lives.
As former New York City power couple Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray embark on separate paths, their announcement serves as a reminder that relationships, even those built on a strong foundation, can change and evolve over time.