LOS ANGELES - Hollywood glamour couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have split, Pitt's longtime publicist confirmed Friday.

"We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate," the couple said in a joint statement released by Pitt's publicist Cindy Guagenti.

"For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration."

The couple didn't indicate if they planned to file for divorce, and Guagenti declined to comment beyond the statement.

The separation, first reported on People magazine's Web site, comes 4 1/2 years after the couple's Malibu wedding and after months of speculation that their marriage was in trouble.

Aniston has recently been photographed in public without her diamond-studded wedding ring, according to People, although the magazine said the couple had spent the New Year's weekend together on the Caribbean island of Anguilla with Aniston's former "Friends" co-star Courteney Cox and her husband, actor David Arquette.

Pitt, 41, and Aniston, 35, have been together since being set up on a blind date in 1998. They were married in 2000 in a lavish wedding at a Malibu estate overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Some 200 people attended the wedding that included four bands, a gospel choir, fireworks and tens of thousands of flowers.

Part of Pacific Coast Highway was shut down to accommodate the influx of guests, which included actress Cameron Diaz and most of Aniston's "Friends" co-stars.

^^heard that today, its pretty sad

I'm happy about it. She was holding back Brad's career. She wouldn't let him do a lot of movies including Alexander.

I heard about their divorce on the news, and all I can say is. Another marriage bites the dust. Brad Pitt was a lucky man for awhile there.

Woo hoo...I'd say a good number of women around the world are happy about that news. I always thought they were an odd couple. I don't really dislike Jennifer..but they just didn't seem right together.

and i have proof about brad sleeping with angelina in beverly hills.

and i have proof about brad sleeping with angelina in beverly hills.  

What is this proof?

there is a hotel across the street from my uncles optical in beverly hills....he saw brad going in there with angelina...there were paperazzi there too.

That's not exactly proof. I'd need a little bit more than that. NOT that I'm complaining, I think they're cute together.

well they were seen together going to a hotel room....it was seen by my family member....so thats some sort of proof to me.

That's like saying I slept with my best friend because we shared a room AND a bed together.

Which we did not do. You just assume it for obvious reasons.

But hey..if I were Brad I would have slept with Angelina too if Jennifer was't around. Hell I would even sleep with her WITH Jennifer around!

And so would I.

I love that wallpaper loads, thanks Nebucadnezar

that kind of makes me sad though... they were together for a while...

^^me too. Its sad that they didnt work it out.

^^ i knowww

I don't think Jennifer has a pretty face. But, I am sad for her and Brad. But, Brad will find another willing woman soon enough, he is too gorgeous.

^^^ he'll be with me ..... gosh he's sooo damn fiiiiiiiineeeeee