On Thursday, it was announced that she had parted ways with Justin Theroux, after just two-and-a-half years of marriage.
And it has now been reported that Jennifer Aniston, 49, had stopped regularly spending time with the actor and writer several months before they made their shocking announcement.
According to TMZ, the former Friends star was last seen at her estranged husband’s apartment in New York City’s Greenwich Village in October, with sources telling the website that she’d stopped regular visits as far back as August.
Separated: Jennifer Aniston reportedly stopped regularly spending time with Justin Theroux several months ago, and was last photographed by TMZ at his New York City home in October
A further report from ETOnline suggests the couple split over a disagreement about where they should live.
Sources close to the pair have claimed that a difference of opinion on where to live was one of the main causes for the break up, with Jennifer preferring Los Angeles, while Justin opting for New York.
An insider explained to ETOnline: ‘He much prefers being [in New York] and that’s been a major issue for them for a long time.
‘Justin has a very diverse friend group, and he likes that they’re not all ‘in the industry. He’s friends with people in the restaurant world, writers, comedians, artists, tattoo artists. It’s an eclectic group and he doesn’t have that type of network in LA.
‘Justin can hop on his [motorcycle], walk in the neighborhood, hang at a bar and all that without being bothered, but for Jen, the paparazzi are all over her.
Separation: The estranged couple reportedly signed an ‘iron-clad’ pre-nup before their August 2015 wedding, reports US Weekly
‘He really wanted her to be comfortable [in New York. He even negotiated with the paps to make a deal that they would only shoot her once per day and then leave her alone. He also agreed to move out of his apartment, which he loves.’
‘She just never really could get settled in, she wasn’t happy [in New York. He was bicoastal, she was not.’
The source added that the pair fought to make their relationship work but were ultimately unsuccessful.
The insider explained: ‘They really were a great couple. And they cared a lot about each other. Justin was always really protective of her. They both wanted this to work.’
While the exes have yet to file for divorce, it has also been claimed they 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.
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’
A source told the publication: ‘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. Jen’s assets and Friends fortune are protected.’
Jennifer, who is most famous for her portrayal of Rachel Green on iconic sitcom Friends, is worth an estimated $200 million.
For the last two seasons of Friends, which ran between 1994 and 2004, Jennifer and her five co-stars were paid a record $1 million an 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, 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 $20 million.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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
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.
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.’
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.
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.
They got 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.
Jennifer was previously married to Brad Pitt from 2000 to 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