Guyana First couple decides to end marriage

20.APR.07

Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo and First Lady Varshnie Jagdeo on Monday announced the end of their marriage.

The first couple said they have taken the decision to end the union after growing apart during their eight years together.{{more}} “It is an amicable parting and we feel this is the best course for us as we both wish to find happiness and have families of our own in the future,” they explained, in a joint statement released by the Office of the President last evening.

Bharrat Jagdeo, then Finance Minister, and Varshnie “Uma” Singh, wed on July 26, 1998, about a year before his accession to the presidency.

The success of the marriage has been long viewed with suspicion, owing in large part to the couple’s rare appearances together. Yesterday’s announcement came almost one week after President Jagdeo promised to clear the air on the state of their relationship, hinting at the major disclosure. At that time, his allusions accompanied speculation that the First Lady was at the centre of a dispute between the President and his protocol officer, which led to the latter’s decision to walk out on assignment. The President has denied this claim.

“We hope that you can understand and respect our decision in what is essentially a private matter,” the couple said in the joint statement.

In a separate release issued from her office, the First Lady emphasised that their “growing apart” was the only reason for their decision to end the marriage. She also reiterated their desire “to keep our personal life just that – personal.”