Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter Break Up After 13 Years
Director Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter have confirmed that they have ended their relationship after 13 years together. The pair, who never married, have two children together, son Billy, 11, and daughter Nell, 7.
In an official statement, a spokesman for the couple said, "Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter separated amicably earlier this year and have continued to be friends and co-parent their children. We would ask that you respect their privacy and that of their children."
The director and the actress met in 2001 while filming "Planet of the Apes," which Burton directed. "I can really see you in an ape mask," he reportedly told her at the time.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The couple has since then collaborated on more films such as 2003's "Big Fish," 2005's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," 2007's "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," 2010's "Alice in Wonderland," and 2012's "Dark Shadows."
Carter previously spoke about working with her partner and she admitted that it had its challenges.
"It's not without its pressures, working with Tim. It worked on Alice. Sweeney was very stressful, very hard on our relationship. He's a partner in our private life, but when he's directing, he's the boss. And maybe I confuse that," she said.
The famously eccentric couple is known for their unconventional relationship. They do not share a home, instead, they live next door to each other in North London with their children.
"The houses are joined," Carter explained in a previous interview. "He always visits, which is really touching. He's always coming over. We have a thoroughway. Journalists think there's an underground tunnel, gothic. It's actually quite above ground, lots of light."
In October 2013, the pair found themselves at the center of infidelity rumors after a grainy picture appeared in the New York Post that reportedly showed Burton kissing a mystery female.
Carter came to her partner's defense in an interview with E! News.
"This is absolutely nonsense," she said. "The pictures were taken whilst they were out and the large group includes family, friends, and work colleagues."
The cause of their split was not disclosed, but a friend of the family reportedly told the Daily Mail that Burton was going through a midlife crisis.
"Tim is having a classic midlife crisis," said the source, "All Helena's friends think he's a terrible cliché. Helena gave him a lot of time to sort himself out."
Though they have broken up, they will continue to work together as Carter will be reprising her role as the Red Queen in the "Alice in Wonderland" sequel, which will be produced by Burton.
