Mark Steines, Leanza Cornett Split After 17 Years; Couple Concerned for Sons

(PHOTO:Twitter/Leanza Cornett)
Leanza Cornett with two sons.

By Brittney R. Villalva , Christian Post Reporter

January 28, 2013|11:26 am

Mark Steines and actress Leanza Cornett, his wife of 17 years, have officially announced that they will seek a divorce.

The Hallmark Channel's Home & Family host and his wife said in a statement Friday that they would seek divorce. The couple has two children, Kai Harper and Avery James. For the sake of their two boys, the couple has respectfully requested privacy over the matter.

"After a great deal of thought and consideration, we have decided to dissolve our 17-year marriage," the couple told Us Weekly. "At this time our concern is for our boys as we help them with this difficult transition. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."

Eva Leanza Cornett, 41, was named Miss Florida in 1992 and Miss America in 1993. Following her pageant years she served as a host to a number of television shows which included "Entertainment Tonight" and "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire." The boys were born just over a year apart, Kai in 2002 and Avery in 2003.

Steines is also a former host of "Entertainment Tonight." He married Cornett in 1995 and became host of the show from 2002 to 2012 before becoming the host of Hallmark.

Fans of the couple expressed sentiments over their split.

"Sad news," a former friend wrote on the Us Magazine blog. "I knew Mark when he was a broadcast student at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. A good guy. Hopefully, they can work things out; 17 years is a long time to just give up on a marriage."

"Aww, this makes me feel sad. I liked her on ET, then when she was let go, I was happy for them both that Mark got a job there," another user added. "You have to wonder here if there's more to it than 'just giving up on their marriage.'"