Isla Fisher has opened up about her separation from Sacha Baron Cohen with a heartfelt candor. In an interview with The Sunday Times, published on February 8th, the actress, who shares a family of three children – Olive, 17, Elula, 14, and Montgomery, 9 – with the British comedian, described dissolving their marriage as "the most arduous journey I've ever undertaken."
"Through this odyssey, I've gained profound insights into myself," Fisher, now 49, shared, adding, "I never envisioned our family being apart, yet we remain steadfast and devoted parents." Despite the transformation in their relationship, Fisher emphasized that she and Cohen, 53, remain unwavering in their commitment to prioritizing their children.
"Our kids are paramount, and our utmost desire is for them to feel secure and cherished. We're meticulously crafting a fresh, wholesome vision of our family, infusing it with as much care and affection as humanly possible," she confided to the publication.
Elsewhere in the interview, the Wedding Crashers star attributed her resilience during the most trying phases of the separation to her rock-solid female friendships. She revealed that these relationships have afforded her a clearer understanding of her identity beyond romantic partnerships.
"The women in my life have been my anchors... The female bonds I nurtured within our industry have stood by me through thick and thin," Fisher said, her voice tinged with emotion. "I owe my presence here today to them. They've taught me the immense strength of female camaraderie, and I've discovered my inherent resilience, my true self outside of a partnership, and my core values. It's been an incredibly enriching journey of self-discovery."
Fisher and Cohen first crossed paths in 2001 at a lively gathering in Sydney. Recalling their meet-cute to The New York Times in October 2020, Cohen mentioned knowing instantly that he had feelings for his future spouse. "She was hilarious. We were at a snooty party, and we bonded over poking fun at the other attendees," he reminisced.
After three years of dating, the duo got engaged in 2004 and tied the knot in 2010. They announced their amicable split on April 5th, 2024, via a joint statement on their Instagram Stories.
"Following a lengthy tennis match spanning over two decades, we've finally laid down our racquets. In 2023, we jointly filed for the dissolution of our marriage," they penned, accompanied by a snapshot of themselves donning matching tennis attire.
Looking ahead, Fisher, who has recently wrapped up filming for Now You See Me 3 and is set to star in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (releasing on February 14th), expressed her readiness to embrace new challenges.
"I'm endeavoring to reignite my ambition, refocus, and find renewed inspiration for my career," she told The Sunday Times. Moreover, the actress is poised to begin shooting the female-centric comedy Spa Weekend alongside Anna Faris and Leslie Mann.
"I'm absolutely thrilled," Fisher enthused about the upcoming project.
