Hollywood star Mel Gibson has confirmed the end of his relationship with his partner of almost ten years, Rosalind Ross. The 69-year-old actor and the 35-year-old former equestrian champion and writer issued a joint statement confirming their separation, which is understood to have occurred roughly a year ago.
A Decade-Long Relationship Comes to an End
The couple, who met through mutual friends back in 2014, shared the news with People magazine. "Although it’s sad to end this chapter in our lives, we are blessed with a beautiful son and will continue to be the best parents possible," their statement read. They welcomed their son, Lars, now eight, in 2017.
Gibson's relationship with Ross began when she was 23 and he was 58. She was recruited by his production company to co-write a script, and their romance reportedly blossomed quickly, with an early luxury trip to Costa Rica. This year, the former couple faced the loss of their $14.5 million Malibu home in the Los Angeles wildfires, though all family members and animals were evacuated safely.
Gibson's Complex Family History and Career
This separation marks another significant chapter in Mel Gibson's often-turbulous personal life. Lars is Gibson's ninth child. He shares his eldest children with ex-wife Robyn Moore, to whom he was married for 26 years from 1980 to 2006. Their divorce, finalised in 2011, was estimated to be one of the most expensive in Hollywood history at over $400 million.
Following that, Gibson had a relationship with Russian musician Oksana Grigorieva, which ended acrimoniously in 2010 with allegations of domestic violence and a restraining order, which he denied. Professionally, Gibson remains a formidable figure. He rose to fame in the Mad Max trilogy and later starred in and directed major hits like Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ.
Looking Forward: Fatherhood and Future Projects
Despite the personal split, Gibson's focus remains on co-parenting and his upcoming film project. He is currently working on The Resurrection of the Christ, the highly anticipated sequel to his 2004 biblical epic. The film is set to be released in two parts, with the first instalment scheduled for Good Friday, March 26, 2027.
The original film, The Passion of the Christ, was a colossal box office success, grossing over $612 million, though it was not without controversy. The sequel has also sparked debate after it was announced that younger actors, including Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus, would be taking over the lead roles from the original cast.
For now, Gibson and Ross have emphasised their commitment to their son. As Gibson stated earlier this year regarding the wildfire loss, the wellbeing of family is paramount: "The good news is that those in my family and those I love are all well... that’s all I can care about, really."
