Michael Hickey/Wireimage.comUpdated Jan. 19, 2011: E! confirms that John Mellencamp filed his petition for divorce on Jan. 14. The papers were filed in Brown County Indiana.
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It's the laws of Hollywood. After a certain number of engagement announcements, a split like this has to come along to even things out. It's just a bummer that it happened to a long-standing couple.
After 20 years together, John Mellencamp and Elaine Mellencamp (née Irwin) have decided to part ways, E! News has confirmed.
The pride of Indiana and the erstwhile supermodel haven't filed divorce papers yet, but his rep has this to say about the couple splitting up:
"John and Elaine Mellencamp are proud of their 20 years together and are very happy with their accomplishments both as parents and as a family. They will continue to raise their two children in Indiana but have decided to call it a day as a couple."
Elaine was the 59-year-old singer's third wife. He divorced Priscilla Esterline in 1981 and then was married to Victoria Granucci until 1989. Along with having two sons with his current wife, John has three other children from his previous marriages.