Alexis Bellino and Jim Bellino Comment on Their Divorce and Why They Decided to Split

Days after news broke that Alexis Bellino and Jim Bellino were divorcing after 13 years of marriage, the former The Real Housewives of Orange County couple have confirmed the split in a statement to Us Weekly, in which they also shed a little more light on their choice to go their separate ways in an effort to shut down rumors and speculation.

“It is with heavy hearts that we inform the public of our mutual decision to end our marriage — but it’s important to us that you know we made this choice together, with love, and as the best decision for our children’s future,” the former couple said in a joint statement on Thursday (June 28). “We hold one another in the highest regards as spouses, and especially as parents. We have agreed on 50/50 custody of the children, and we ask that you respect our privacy by not theorizing about the reasons for our divorce.”

Alexis and Jim are parents to James, 12, and 10-year-old twins, Melania and Mackenna. In the statement, they added, “In recent days and weeks, there has been a lot of negative discussion about our marriage and why it is ending. Outside of the news of our decision to part ways, there is nothing provocative, alluring, or sordid about the dissolution of our marriage. Quite to the contrary, we strongly support each other just as we have since the beginning of our relationship.”

Since news broke last week about the divorce, the pair remained mum about the news. Alexis then took their kids on vacation to Montana, letting fans in on her excursion. The RHOC alums revealed to Us Weekly: “Our marriage was a good one, but we were never perfect people or spouses —no one is, and in this respect, we were a lot like millions of other married people. And, just like millions of other married people, we simply grew apart over times — there is no ill will or bad blood between us — and maybe that’s why absurd rumors about our marriage and future together began when we filed for divorce.”

They ended their statement by asking fans give them some space and continue to support them and their family. “We ultimately want you to feel happy for us, respect our privacy during this difficult time, and pray for our mutual benefit as we weather this storm," they said in the statement. "To the fans who have supported us since the beginning, we’re grateful for how you cheers us on — we ask that you continue to cheer as our lives and the lives of our children change and ultimately improve as a result of this difficult decision.”

Check out throwback photos of Alexis, below.