Just two weeks after their wedding, Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds have split, Access Hollywood has learned.
The couple released the following statement to Access on Wednesday:
“After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forego having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further. While the recent symbolic union in Bora Bora was representative of our deep love, friendship and respect that we have for one another on a spiritual level, we have decided to remain friends.”
The couple tied the knot on New Year’s Day on a private island near Bora Bora in French Polynesia.
They began dating fall 2006 and were engaged in July.
The wedding ceremony in Bora Bora was a spiritual ceremony and the couple planned on having a legally binding ceremony upon returning to the U.S. However, since that ceremony never took place, the couple was never officially married to begin with.
Murphy, 46, has five children from his previous marriage to Nicole Mitchell Murphy, who filed for divorce in 2005. He also has a daughter with Spice Girl and “Dancing With the Stars” alum Mel B.
Edmonds, a 40-year-old movie producer, has two sons from her 12-year marriage to R&B singer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. As head of Edmonds Entertainment, she has produced the film and television series “Soul Food.”
Murphy’s film credits include “Dreamgirls,” “The Nutty Professor,” “Shrek” and “The Beverly Hills Cop” franchise.