Leah Remini and her husband, Angelo Pagán, have announced their decision to divorce after more than two decades of marriage. The King of Queens star, 54, and the entrepreneur shared the news in a joint Instagram post on Thursday, August 29, revealing that they are ending their marriage after 21 years together.
“Well, here we are. After 28 years together and 21 years of marriage, we have decided to file for divorce,” the statement began. “This decision came after a lot of thought and care, and as hard as divorce is, we are approaching this with a positive outlook because we know it’s what’s best for us.”
Despite their separation, the couple emphasized the strong bond they continue to share. “We are proud of how we have worked through this together,” they wrote. While navigating their “new normal,” they assured fans that they will still “celebrate holidays together, watch our favorite TV shows together, and gather as a family.”
In addressing the reasons behind their decision, they explained, “We both changed, as people do, and we got used to playing roles that didn’t fit us anymore. After a lot of effort and consideration, we’ve decided to take this step, which reflects who we are today.”
“Our bond is still strong—it’s just evolved into something different,” they continued. “We think a marriage that lasted this long and created so many beautiful memories, especially raising our incredible daughter, is something to celebrate. From our perspective, this marriage was a huge success. And now, we’re looking forward to creating even more cherished moments—just in a different way.”
The couple also expressed their desire to be transparent with their fans, acknowledging that they had shared their marriage “so publicly” over the years. “We are sharing this unknown territory with you all as we take our first steps into this next stage of our lives publicly,” they said. “We hope our journey can inspire others to see that relationships—whether they change or end—aren’t failures.”
Remini and Pagán first met in 1996 at El Floridita, a Cuban club and restaurant in Los Angeles. They married in 2003 and welcomed their daughter, Sofia Bella, in 2004. Pagán also has three sons—Angelo Jr., Alex, and Nico—from a previous relationship.
Reflecting on their relationship in a 2010 interview for Redbook magazine., Remini recalled, “For me, it was love at first sight.” She candidly shared the ups and downs they faced, including their early struggles and the counseling that helped them overcome challenges.
Despite their separation, Remini and Pagán remain committed to their family and each other as they embark on this new chapter of their lives.