These boots are made for walkin', and Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson are stepping in different directions.
The singer, 44, announced her separation from the former football player, 45, on Jan. 13 after 10 years of marriage.
“Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Jessica told E! News in a statement, going on to share how they’re co-parenting kids Maxwell Drew, 12, Ace Knute, 11, and Birdie Mae, 5. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”
The fashion mogul met the Yale alum back in May 2010—four years after she finalized her divorce from her first husband, 98 Degrees member and Newlyweds costar Nick Lachey.
"I fell head over slippers in love with this perfect man 10 YEARS ago today!” she captioned a May 2020 Instagram post. “By chance he knocked on my dreamy cottage door (sigh), I let him in and never let him leave. He is mine, I am his...forever.”
Six months later, Eric—who was previously married to Keri D'Angelo—and Jessica got engaged. In October 2011, the athlete and the Dukes of Hazzard actress announced they were expecting a baby—with daughter Maxwell entering the world in May 2012.
By the end of that year, Jessica and Eric revealed they were growing their family—going on to welcome son Ace in June 2013.
One year later, Jessica and Eric tied the knot in July 2014.
“Our unity was written in God’s sky of colliding stars,” she shared in a sixth anniversary tribute. “Together we manifest dreams, nurture desire, and hold space. Destined, it always has been and always will be, forevermore.”
As they entered married life, Jessica and Eric navigated challenges—including a battle with alcohol that led her to begin her sobriety journey in 2017—and celebrations, including the birth of daughter Birdie in March 2019.
"Eric, you are the answer to every question, the completion to all equations,” Jessica, who marked seven years alcohol-free in November, wrote in her 2020 memoir Open Book. “My love you, you helped me arrive to the pure abundance of soulful, connected ideas. You have grounded me with an extreme grace of patience while moving with the mosey of my steps as I get myself to this exact purposeful destination."
While Jessica only recently announced her split from Eric—days after listing her home in Hidden Hills, Calif. for nearly $18 million—there have been signs they’ve been heading for a split for months. To review some of the clues, keep reading.
MIA on Social Media
Even before Jessica Simpson announced her separation from husband of 10 years Eric Johnson on Jan. 13, 2025, social media sleuths noticed he hadn't appeared on her Instagram feed in a long time.
While the "With You" singer had posted birthday and anniversary tributes to the former football player in the past, she didn't do so in 2024. Eric also wasn't included in the back-to-school snaps Jessica shared of their kids Maxwell Drew, Ace Knute and Birdie Mae in September.
In fact, the last time the NFL alum appeared in one of the fashion mogul's posts was last April, when she uploaded photos from their family's spring break trip to Cabo.
For his part, Eric used to have an Instagram account but deleted it a while ago—with Jessica previously noting "he ain’t an Instagram guy" and last tagging him in a 2022 post.
Cryptic Posts
However, followers had some questions about cryptic posts the "Irresistible" artist shared over the past few months—including one in which she appeared to tease new music.
"Interviews in my Nashville music room where I unearthed my singular magic," she wrote in a Nov. 11 Instagram post.
"This comeback is personal, it’s an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve."
Ashlee Addresses the Rumors About Jessica and Eric
As rumors about Eric and Jessica continued to spread, her sister Ashlee Simpson weighed in on the speculation.
When asked Nov. 11 if there was any truth to the gossip, the "Pieces Of Me" singer simply told TMZ, "No."
Eric Spotted Without Wedding Ring
But the very next day, Eric was spotted in Los Angeles without his wedding band—as seen in photos obtained by the outlet.
Jessica Also Seen Without Her Ring
Similarly, Jessica has been photographed without her wedding ring, including during a November sighting at Los Angeles International Airport and a December trip to the movies as seen in photos and videos obtained by the Daily Mail.
Real Estate Moves
While fans might not have picked up on this sign right away, it appears The Dukes of Hazzard actress quietly listed her home in Hidden Hills, Calif., for $17,900,000 on Jan. 11—just days before she announced her separation from the athlete.
Fewer Public Appearances
The last time Jessica and the Eric were photographed attending a public event together was in June 2023, when they went to the opening of Bernie Taupin's exhibit "Reflections" at the Choice Contemporary fine art gallery in Los Angeles.