Vanderpump Rules star Tom Schwartz was still wearing his wedding ring when he was seen for the first time as he stepped out in LA after estranged wife Katie Maloney announced the end of their 12-year relationship together only hours before.
The 39-year-old bar owner flashed the gold band on his ring finger while getting out of his car as he stopped by a local liquor store after confirming he was separating from his wife.
Schwartz, who has starred on the popular Bravo show since its inception in 2013, looked downcast following the his-and-hers posts Tom and Katie shared on Instagram detailing their amicable split.
Insiders told PEOPLE magazine their split was partially due to ‘intimacy issues’ as they were years into a sexless marriage and living like ‘roommates’ in the $1.9million Valley Village home they purchased together in 2019.
Tough time: Vanderpump Rules star Tom Schwartz was still wearing his wedding ring when he was seen for the first time as he stepped out in LA after estranged wife Katie Maloney announced the end of their 12-year relationship together only hours before
Not there yet: The 39-year-old bar owner flashed the gold band on his ring finger while getting out of his car as he stopped by a local liquor store after confirming he was separating from his wife
Tom wore a black ‘very much alive’ hooded sweatshirt with green shorts and a red T-shirt as he picked up a few things at a local store.
The longtime VPR couple announced the end of their relationship on Tuesday night in Instagram posts shared to each of their accounts.
‘Well this sucks. How am I supposed to capture 12 years of love in a f***in canned Instagram caption,’ he wrote. ‘What picture am I supposed to use? Is there a go-to break up font? Wanted to clear the air on some rumors floating around. Katie & I are separating.
‘I’m not quite ready to use the “D” word bc it’s too painful. Yes my heart aches but I’ll be ok. Not look to evoke any sympathy here. I’m not the victim. Not gonna write too sad a song. Fully respect Katie’s decision, and we’ve had healthy, productive conversations about it.
Stepping out: Schwartz, who has starred on the popular Bravo show since its inception in 2013, looked downcast following the his-and-hers posts Tom and Katie shared on Instagram detailing their amicable split
Staying connected: He wore a pair of circular frames and carried his iPhone by his side
Errands: Tom, who co-owns TomTom Bar with his best friend Tom Sandoval, was seen out in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon
Not easy: The longtime VPR couple announced the end of their relationship on Tuesday night in Instagram posts shared to each of their accounts
Over: The longtime VPR couple announced the end of their relationship on Tuesday night in Instagram posts shared to each of their accounts
He added: ‘It would be far sadder if she decided to stay with me whilst not happy.’
‘After nine years on a reality TV-show it feels a little tone def to say ‘please respect our privacy’ (especially while posting this) so instead I’ll ask to please be kind.
‘I don’t fault you for any snap judgement. If I was watching us on VPR for the last 9 years I’d be making them too.’
Schwartz said that although it’s ‘hard not to be feel like a statistic’ for being ‘another failed marriage,’ he does not look at his relationship with Maloney as a ‘failure.’
‘As sad as I am, I am happy to say there is no anger or bitterness. Zero. Still so much love for you @musickillskate and your family,’ he wrote, tagging Maloney’s Instagram.
‘I don’t think we were ever a model couple. Maybe we are model divorcees. A dubious title I suppose. Also I am aware of tragedies taking place in the world right now. I have perspective here. I’ll be fine.’
Katie, 35, shared in her own post: ‘I never thought I would have to make an announcement like this. But I feel it’s important that I’m open about my life with you.
‘After nine years on a reality TV-show it feels a little tone def to say ‘please respect our privacy’ (especially while posting this) so instead I’ll ask to please be kind,’ he wrote.
Tough topic: Schwartz said that although it’s ‘hard not to be feel like a statistic’ for being ‘another failed marriage,’ he does not look at his relationship with Maloney as a ‘failure’
Difficult decisions: Katie, 35, shared in her own post: ‘I never thought I would have to make an announcement like this. But I feel it’s important that I’m open about my life with you
‘After 12 years on an adventure through life together Tom and I are ending our marriage. This ending is not met with resentment or animosity, no sides to choose. We have deep admiration for one another that will always remain and we cherish our friendship.
‘Although we may be on different paths we will continue to love and support one another’s happiness. Thank you for all the kind words and support.’
The couple — who were set up by VPR matchmaker Kristen Doute — were first married in front of Bravo cameras in 2016 during an elaborate forest wedding where Lisa Vanderpump served as the officiant.
But years later, Tom admitted he forgot to send in the paperwork legally certifying their union, and the couple went to Las Vegas in 2019 with their friends for another wedding, this time officiated by Stassi Schroeder and Tom Sandoval.
While Tom and Katie’s friends seemed to be having no issues conceiving children — Stassi and Beau Clark had baby Hartford, Lala Kent gave birth to daughter Ocean with now ex-fiance Randall Emmett, and Scheana Shay had daughter Summer with fiance Brock Davies — their fertility journey didn’t seem to be as easy.
‘As far as the timeline, I’m still noncommittal, but I’m on the record — it’s official, we do want to have kids, and I love kids,’ Tom told PEOPLE in May.
When an Instagram fan asked if she had FOMO (fear of missing out) about her friends’ growing families, she responded: ‘Zero fomo. I’m so happy for my friends and really enjoying being along for their journey. It will happen for us when it’s right. Sometimes it just takes time and doesn’t always happen the first try.’
In season nine, which premiered in late 2021, Schwartz revealed that he and Maloney were actively trying to expand their family and have children during the pandemic.
‘During quarantine, Katie and I decided to really put a concerted effort into trying to make a baby,’ he revealed. ‘There was a two-month window in which we were really working on it.’
But by January 2022, Maloney confirmed to Page Six that they were no longer ‘actively trying’ to conceive.
In the past: The couple were first married in front of Bravo cameras in 2016 during an elaborate forest wedding where Lisa Vanderpump served as the officiant
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