(andPOP) -
Hollywood's most powerful couple, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, has split, they said Friday.
"We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate," they jointly said in a statement issued to People.
Pitt, the actor from "Troy" and "Ocean's Eleven," met Aniston, most notable for her role on "Friends," on a dinner date in 1998.
They married 4 and a half years ago, in July of 2000, in front of 200 people in Malibu.
In recent weeks, tabloids have reported that the two were having marital issues. Aniston was photographed without her wedding ring, though last week a photograph of Aniston appeared in a New York paper with her wedding ring on. They were seen on New Year's celebrating on the Caribbean island of Anguilla with Courteney Cox, Aniston's former "Friends" co-star, and her husband, David Arquette.
Pitt, 41, and Aniston, 35, had been together since being set up on a blind date in 1998.
Tabloids speculated that Aniston, 35, was not keen on having children, while Pitt, 41, eagerly wanted to be a father.
"For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media," their statement reads.
"This decision is a result of much thoughtful consideration. We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another. We ask in advance for your kindness and sensitivity in the coming months."
Their personal relationship might be over but their professional relationship has just begun. The two are partners in a film company called "Plan B." The company's first movie, a remake of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," is supposed to be released later this year. Brad Grey, who was just hired this week as the head of Paramount, is also a partner.
The couple has rarely worked together on screen. Pitt once appeared in an episode of Friends, playing a high school acquaintance of Aniston's character who wanted to get back at her for the years of torture. They also played themselves in the 2003 celebrity-filled movie, "Abby Singer," which never got a full release.
Although best known for playing Rachel Green on NBC's long running show "Friends," Aniston has a successful movie career, which includes roles in "Along Came Polly," "Bruce Almighty" and "The Good Girl."
Pitt rarely, if ever, has an unsuccessful movie. He has appeared in such films as "Fight Club," "Seven Years in Tibet," "12 Monkeys," "Legends of the Fall," and "Thelma & Louise."
