In the wake of Harvey Weinstein’s shocking sexual assault scandal, his wife of nearly ten years Georgina Chapman, 41, has confirmed she is leaving her husband over his “unforgivable actions.”
In a statement released to People the Marchesa designer, who shares a seven-year-old daughter, India Pearl, and a four-year-old, Dashiell Max Robert, with the movie mogul, explained: “My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions.”
“I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time.”
The divorce news comes just days after Weinstein insisted he had his wife’s full support.
“She stands 100 per cent behind me. Georgina and I have talked about this at length,” Weinstein told the New York Post.
“Georgina will be with Lisa [lawyer Lisa Bloom, who is no longer representing the star] and others kicking my ass to be a better human being and to apologise to people for my bad behaviour, to say I’m sorry, and to absolutely mean it.”
However as the story has further develops and the true extent of his apparent actions have come to light, which now include rape allegations, Georgina has clearly had an understandable change of heart.
In light of Georgina announcing her split from Harvey, here’s everything you need to know about her…
After nearly ten years of marriage, it officially over for Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman.
How is she holding up?
According to friends close to the mother-of-two, she’s livid.
“Georgina is really mad [but] not even really at Harvey. Georgina is furious and embarrassed. She is very upset,” an insider explained to People.
The British actress is mainly concerned about the scandal will impact her two young children.
“Georgina talks about the incidents like they happened before they were married. Still, it’s very sad and disappointing to Georgina that Harvey has behaved like this. It’s not anything that can just be forgotten, or forgiven.”
In the wake of the horrifying claims against her husband, Georgina is focusing on her family and her hugely successful fashion label.
“Right now, she seems very focused on Marchesa. Marchesa is her baby too. It’s a family business. She has several friends working for Marchesa and also her brother. She needs to keep business going. She will do what she can to keep her personal life away from Marchesa.”
Friends say the designer is worried about how the scandal will impact their two young kids.
Who is Georgina Chapman?
Born in London, Georgina made her first foray into the entertainment industry as an actress.
She starred on several commercials, TV shows and movies including Bride & Prejudice, Factory Girl and The Nanny Diaries.
In 2004, she and her business partner Keren Craig launched Marchesa.
The brand went on to become a red carpet staple among the A-list and has been worn by the likes of Renee Zellweger, Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz and Sandra Bullock.
She’s also made guest judging appearances on Project Runway: All Stars, which Harvey’s company produced.
In 2015, the Sunday Times Rich List estimated her worth at around £15 million.
The designer, pictured her during her second pregnancy in 2013, is at the helm of the fashion label Marchesa.
Harvey Weinstein claims he helped Marchesa get noticed
Ahh, nothing like a powerful man trying to take credit for his wife’s success.
Renee Zellweger was the first A-lister to step out in Marchesa, donning a strapless red and gold creation to the premiere of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason in 2004 fresh from her Oscar award-winning performance in Cold Mountain, which Harvey’s company backed.
“Maybe I helped, but just very, very little, with Renée Zellweger,” Harvey said to Vogue of the ground-breaking moment which put catapulted his partner’s brand to fame.
While one source told People, her husband’s connections were a huge help.
“Georgina didn’t have those connections for Marchesa to be successful, but Harvey did.”
This is the moment that put Marchesa on the map! Renee Zellweger steps out in one of the brand’s stunning creations for the premiere of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason in 2004.
How did Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman meet and when did they marry?
The pair first crossed paths at a party in 2004 and started dating the following year.
“I had no idea who he was. He’s not a person you can sort of ignore or brush off. He’s incredibly charming and so charismatic, it sort of draws you in,” she told Vogue of her partner.
“Unlike her husband, she’s really nice. People will believe that, trust me. Sometimes people don’t associate people who look like that with compassion and that kind of kindness — but that’s who she is more than anyone else,” Harvey, speaking in the third person, attested.
They tied the knot in 2007 in a star-studded ceremony in Connecticut before welcoming a son and a daughter.
In the past, Georgina has said the creative pair turn to one another for support and guidance in their fields of work.
“Harvey will be at an awards show, worried if an actor in his film is going to win, and I’m thinking, How does her dress look? We’ll both be biting our nails,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in 2011.
“And sometimes his doesn’t win, but if I see my dress up at the podium, I’m clapping and screaming, ‘I won! I won!'”
In 2013, Georgina tried her hand at directing a short film and revealed her husband was on hand to help out.
“Of course [I sought advice from him]. And I think he’ll ask me for tips on dressing,” she revealed to Vanity Fair.
Harvey was married to his assistant Eve Chilton until 2004 and shares three children with her.
“I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time.”
