Mel Gibson Responds to Wife's Divorce Petition

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Mel Gibson has filed a response to the divorce petition filed earlier by his estranged wife Robyn.

The actor filed papers Monday that declare the couple's date of separation as August 26, 2006 and he also cites "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split.

In the papers, Gibson is asking to terminate the court's ability to award spousal support to either party, and he is seeking joint legal and joint physical custody of the couple's children.

After 28 years of marriage, the star's wife filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the separation from the actor.  She also seeks joint physical and legal custody of their youngest son Thomas, who turns 10 tomorrow.

According to a statement from Mel's rep released on the actor's behalf, "Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so."

A source tells ET the couple has been separated for nearly three years. Mel and Robyn have 7 children: Hannah, twins Edward and Christian, William, Louis, Milo and Thomas, who is the only minor.

Published 4/13/09 by the Insider

Comments (12)

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  • Their marriage is over. It's stupid to say Robyn should forgive him and Mel should just dump his pregant girlfriend and they will all live happily ever after. As if, gross. He's not worth taking back and I'm sure he's all too happy with his...
    Anonymous 6/2/09 Reply
  • I believe Mr.Mrs.gibson love each other but they need to seat down and talk things with their family.So what if the girlfriend is pregnant and want's to destroy a family so she can become reach. For woman to stand by her manfor 28 years is only...
    Anonymous 5/8/09 Reply
  • Is there anyone out there who can give Mel Gibson my email address. It is very important. I need to speak to him. It is not about what is happenning in his now, but about some he did in the pass. It would make him one of happiest men in the world....
    Anonymous 4/30/09 Reply
  • Mel, Have you COMPLETELY lost your mind???
    Anonymous 4/29/09 Reply
  • It's NOT about the money - whether Robyn should get half of Mel's $900 million or the house or the jewels or spousal support. It's about 7 children, 28 years together and a lifetime of love and sharing. I don't know to whom Robyn has been listening...
    MISSMOO 4/14/09 Reply
  • I can't believe he does not want to pay his
    wife spousal support. He has had many out
    of marriage affairs and alcohol problems that
    she put up with. She is going to get half of the income I hope. I feel bad about the failure of the marriage, but...
    Anonymous 4/14/09 Reply
  • It's hard to believe that 28 years can go just like a blink of an eye ! I 'm sure that there is a lot of love and understanding between them to keep them going that long . I also believe that God can fix broken hearts . I pray , of course , that...
    Anonymous 4/14/09 Reply
  • After being separated for three years it's time to end the marriage. It's never easy for the family and I wish them the best.
    Anonymous 4/13/09 Reply
  • Sad:(
    NeverLetGo 4/13/09 Reply
  • My husband and I have been married for 15 & 1/2 years. We have definately had our fair share of hard times, and through it all, we work it out with faith, love, and patience. Marriage is alot of work, no one ever said it was easy, but when you are...
    Anonymous 4/13/09 Reply
  • My husband and I have been married for 15 & 1/2 years. We have definately had our fair share of hard times, and through it all, we work it out with faith, love, and patience. Marriage is alot of work, no one ever said it was easy, but when you are...
    Anonymous 4/13/09 Reply
  • This is very sad news ;( We pray for Mel & his wife to relook at their marriage & seek Godly counsel.

    If they both love Jesus, or even just one do, they should fight to the very end as The Bible said specifically grounds that permit divorce, even...
    Anonymous 4/13/09 Reply