Actors Daniel MacPherson and Zoe Ventoura have been thrust into the spotlight after announcing their split over the weekend, after five years of marriage.
The news came as a shock to many because the couple, who share a son named Austin Xavier, are known for being notoriously private when it comes to their relationship and family life.
Daniel and Zoe first met on the set of TV series Wild Boys in 2011, and they became engaged over Christmas 2014 after four years together.
Behind the scenes: Inside Dan MacPherson and Zoe Ventoura’s very private relationship following their shock split after five years of marriage
They married in an intimate ceremony in Noosa, Queensland, in 2015 in front of close friends and family.
In 2017, Daniel admitted the first year of his marriage to Zoe had been difficult because they were often travelling for work.
‘The first year of marriage was challenging for us in a lot of ways exactly because of the travel,’ Daniel told Who magazine.
The former soap star explained, however, that the pair had adjusted to their long-distance relationship.
‘We’re just really good at it. We can operate independently,’ he said, adding that they could always ‘hop on a plane’ to see one another at a moment’s notice if necessary.
History: Daniel and Zoe first met on the set of TV series Wild Boys in 2011, and they became engaged over Christmas 2014 after four years together
They were forced apart for a big chunk of their marriage when Zoe was working in Australia and Dan in the United States.
Zoe and Daniel welcomed their son, Austin Xavier, now one, in December last year.
They have been very secretive about their only child, keeping him out of the public eye, as well as keeping the pregnancy and birth under wraps.
The news of Austin’s arrival was only confirmed in May when the family-of-three was spotted by the paparazzi.
Wedding bells: They married in an intimate ceremony in Noosa, Queensland, in 2015 in front of close friends and family. In 2017, Daniel admitted the first year of his marriage to Zoe had been difficult because they were often travelling for work
‘I am very happy to confirm that Zoe and Dan welcomed a baby boy in December last year,’ a spokesperson for the couple told the Herald Sun.
The actors recently marked Austin’s first birthday by sharing a photo of the youngster, albeit with his face concealed.
Zoe spoke to Who magazine last year about the couple’s decision to keep certain aspects of their life private.
‘In terms of my privacy, it’s something I have been very protective about from the start. It’s just always felt like it needs to be protected as much as possible to keep a sense of normalcy,’ she said.
Private: Zoe and Daniel welcomed their son, Austin Xavier, now one, in December last year. The actors recently marked Austin’s first birthday by sharing this photo of the youngster, albeit with his face concealed
Daniel and Zoe had stayed out of the public eye for more than seven months before they confirmed their separation via Instagram on Sunday.
Alongside a photo of the pair with their backs turned to the camera at sunset, Daniel, 40, wrote: ‘With the greatest respect for each other, Zoë and I have separated.
‘Together, we will continue wholeheartedly to raise our beautiful boy Austin. He is, and will forever be, our greatest priority.
It’s over: Daniel and Zoe announced their shock split over the weekend, after five years of marriage
‘We ask for your respect and will be making no further comment.’
Zoe, 39, posted the same photo and caption on Sunday, changing only the first line to read: ‘With the greatest respect for each other, Dan and I have separated.’
They were last pictured in public together in Sydney on April 22, accompanied by their then-four-month-old son, Austin.
Out of the spotlight: Prior to confirming their separation, the pair had stayed out of the public eye for more than seven months. They were last pictured in public together in Sydney on April 22