Forget the 'seven-year itch'—that trope is officially entering its flop era. If you thought the danger zone for a marriage was just after the honeymoon phase, think again. New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that couples in England and Wales are actually hitting their breaking point way later, with 26% of heterosexual divorces in 2025 happening after 20 years or more of marriage.
Real talk: this shift is giving major 'grey divorce' energy. We've seen plenty of high-profile splits recently, from Tess Daly and Vernon Kay calling it after 22 years to the 25-year marriage of Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Williams ending in 2023.
So, why the delay? Experts say many couples lowkey stay together for the kids, waiting until they've flown the nest before pulling the plug. Divorce lawyer Lisa Pepper confirmed, "The largest percentage of cases I see are after a long marriage. Staying together for the sake of the children is true."
There’s also the financial side of the plot. With the cost of living crisis hitting everyone hard, the price of maintaining two separate households is keeping some couples stuck in unhappy situations. Senior associate Rebecca Aston-Jones noted that these financial pressures are a major factor in delaying the inevitable.
Even in the US, the trend is catching on, with rates of 'grey divorce' doubling since the 90s. While it might sound bleak, it’s not all Ls. Many see this as having more 'permission' to leave unhappy situations and actually enjoy their golden years, especially if they have the resources to flourish solo.
Why it matters
Marriage isn't seen as the ultimate goal for adulthood like it used to be. As societal pressure shifts, people are prioritizing their own happiness over staying in a relationship that no longer serves them, even if it takes twenty years to realize it.
