RHOP's Ashley Darby Announces Divorce from Husband Michael After 8 Years of Marriage

The 33-year-old "Real Housewives of Potomac" star revealed her intention of divorce on Bravo's "The Daily Dish" on Tuesday. Ashley began her statement, "Almost eight years ago, when Michael and I said 'I do,' we anticipated sharing every single day together from that moment forward. Unfortunately, that is not our current reality. We have decided to separate."

"We are aware that there will be many speculative views as to why we have made this decision," she continued. "People will be quick to assume that the causes were too much intrusion by reality TV into the most personal parts of our lives, age gap issues, cultural problems, or child-rearing differences."

"Pieces of all these may have affected our pure love for each other, but no one reason is the root cause of our mutual decision to go our separate ways. We are now both at very different stages in our lives and have different goals for our futures. We both want the other to achieve true happiness and fulfillment and feel that we cannot do this together."

Ashley and Michael share two children, Dean and Dylan, and although their "romantic bond is broken, we will always love and respect each other. We also know that true happiness can only be achieved by continuing to work together and putting our hearts and souls into raising our two beautiful boys, Dean and Dylan. They will always feel loved and supported, for they were truly created out of love."

She concluded her statement, "As this is a personal matter for us, we appreciate everyone who has been a part of our journey and ask for your continued support by respecting us as we go through this emotional situation."

The TV personality also shared the news on her Instagram with a screenshot of the headline. She addressed the split with the caption, "It's been almost 8 magical years. Please check out bravotv.com ♥️ #rhop#ashleydarby.”

Ashley and Darby were first introduced to viewers on Season one of the series, and since then she has been open about the highs and lows of her marriage. Their relationship became the center of controversy and drama when Michael was accused of making a sexual comment about another man as well as sexual assault.

He denied the allegations against him and additional charges of felony assault and misdemeanor improper sexual conduct were dismissed after lack of sufficient evidence.