They announced their heartbreaking split after just two and a half years of marriage on Thursday.
And as Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux adjust to their separation, it was claimed the pair had taken a crucial step to protect their multi-million dollar fortunes, with an ‘iron-clad’ pre-nup signed before their August 2015 wedding, reports US Weekly.
A source told the website: ‘Jennifer has an ironclad prenup with Justin. It would be very hard for Justin to contest it. The prenup talks before the marriage were long and intense’.
Separation: Estranged couple Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux reportedly signed an ‘iron-clad’ pre-nup before their August 2015 wedding, reports US Weekly
Forever Rachel Green: A source told the website ‘Jen’s assets and Friends fortune are protected’ – she and her five co-stars were paid a record $1m per episode during seasons 9 and 10
‘Jen’s assets and Friends fortune are protected.’
Jennifer, 49, who is most famous for her portrayal of Rachel Green on iconic sitcom Friends, is worth an estimated $200m.
For the last two seasons of Friends, which ran between 1994 and 2004, Jennifer and her five co-stars were paid a record $1m a episode.
She has also starred in a string of hit films including Horrible Bosses, Bruce Almighty, and He’s Just Not That Into You, amassed an impressive property portfolio and is the face of campaigns included SmartWater.
Justin, 46, who has starred in TV shows The Leftovers, Parks and Recreation and Sex and The City, as well as worked as a screenwriter on films including Tropic Thunder, and Zoolander 2, is worth an estimated $20m.
Split: A source told the website: ‘Jennifer has an ironclad prenup with Justin. It would be very hard for Justin to contest it. The prenup talks before the marriage were long and intense’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Jennifer and Justin for comment.
The decision to go their separate ways ‘was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year’, according to a statement released on Thursday through Jennifer’s publicist.
The Along Came Polly star became engaged to the Leftovers actor in August 2012, and they married in a surprise ceremony at their LA home on August 5, 2015.
The couple’s statement says they would have handled their separation privately, but they wanted to counter tabloid speculation and ‘convey the truth directly.’
They say they intend to maintain love and respect for each other.
Acclaimed: Jennifer, 49, who is most famous for her portrayal of Rachel Green on iconic sitcom Friends, is worth an estimated $200m (above with L-R co-stars Lisa Kudrow, Matt Le Blanc, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Courtney Cox)
Talented: She has also starred in a string of hit films including Horrible Bosses (above), Bruce Almighty, and He’s Just Not That Into You
Jennifer and Justin were last pictured together during a New Year’s getaway trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The shock split will come as a surprise to many as Justin had previously described Jennifer as his ‘ally’.
He shared with United Airlines’ Rhapsody magazine back in April 2017: ‘Marriage makes the small things much smaller and the big things small. You have an ally. It’s good to have someone have your back.’The couple tied the knot in August 2015 and it was made ‘so much more special’ because they kept it secret.
Justin added: ‘It’s so much more special when it’s just your closest friends and family and it’s lovely. [Jennifer and I] wanted it to be a peaceful environment, you don’t want it to be hectic.’
Justin had admitted being married to Jennifer has had a calming effect on him.
Multi-millions: Justin, 46, who has starred in TV shows including The Leftovers (above), Parks and Recreation and Sex and The City, as well as worked as a screenwriter on films including Tropic Thunder, and Zoolander 2, is worth an estimated $20m.
He explained: ‘Obviously, I’m married. I think marriage taught me to settle a little bit. It does have a calming effect. I think it’s at what age you make that commitment. When you hear about people in the ’50s getting married at 20, you’re like, What were they thinking?
‘My grandparents were together for over 50 years. My grandfather used to write one sentence every day in his journal: “I love Anne more than ever today.” I think that was his meditation – keeping him in his marriage, and also his appreciation for it. It was very touching.’
Jennifer and Justin met on set of Ben Stiller and Jack Black comedy Tropic Thunder in 2007.
The two reconnected and ultimately began dating when working together in 2012’s Wanderlust.
The Hollywood couple were engaged on his 41st birthday while dining at Dan Barber restaurant Blue Hill in Greenwich Village, New York City in August 2012.
Three years later Jennifer and Justin married in a top secret ceremony at their home in Los Angeles in August 2016.
Aniston was previously married to Brad Pitt from 2000 – 2005.
Spark: The two reconnected and ultimately began dating when working together in 2012’s Wanderlust, five years after meeting on the set of Tropic Thunder
Group outing: Jen (far R, top) was flanked by a group of friends, including her confidante Courteney Cox (far R, bottom) days ago
Comforting: The previous night Jennifer was spotted sharing friendly hugs and kisses with Pharrell Williams outside of Ellen DeGeneres’ star-studded 60th birthday party in LA
Warm: Jennifer gave her friend a warm embrace as they caught up outside