Updated at 1:30 p.m. PT: Another broken "Housewives" household.
As suspected, "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' " Paul Nassif has filed for legal separation from wife Adrienne Maloof. The plastic surgeon and hotel mogul have been married for nine years and share three young sons, Gavin and twins Colin and Christian.
Filing the documents in an L.A. County Superior Court Monday morning, Nassif told TMZ : "The welfare of our children is my primary focus as Adrienne and I work through this difficult time. I want the best for her and our children and I hope that everyone can respect our privacy away from the cameras."
Friction between the couple was never exactly a secret to fans, as their sometimes uncomfortable bickering was a common focus on the Bravo hit. "There is a lot of anger and frustration. It's all the stuff you saw on TV," a family friend of the couple tells Us Weekly. "They fight constantly."
Adds the friend: "It was a very volatile relationship. But they are trying to keep it civil for the sake of the kids."
Original story: Adrienne Maloof is stepping out on her own. After nine years of marriage and three sons together, the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star and husband Paul Nassif are splitting.
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After TMZ reported that plastic surgeon Massif plans to file for legal separation this week, hotel mogul Maloof told Radaronline: "I'm so sorry that this is happening, but my children are my life, and sometimes we need to do what's best for them."
On the first two seasons of Bravo's smash reality show, Maloof and Nassif bickered -- seemingly good-naturedly -- on camera.
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Their young sons Gavin and twins Colin and Christian were rarely seen on-camera for the show, costarring Kim and Kyle Richards, Lisa VanderPump, Camille Grammer, Taylor Armstrong and Brandi Glanville.
"It's an unfortunate situation, but I have to have my kids' best interest at heart," Maloof added.
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It's not the first marriage to disintegrate on "RHOBH." The end of both Grammer and Armstrong's marriages also played out during the show; tragically, Russell Armstrong took his own life in August 2011.
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