Blair Underwood, Desiree DaCosta Announce Split After 27 Years Of Marriage: 'A Beautiful Journey'

Blair Underwood and his wife Desiree DaCosta are divorcing after nearly three decades of marriage.

On Sunday, the 56-year-old actor and his wife, who share three children together, announced in a joint statement on Instagram that they are calling it quits after 27 years of marriage.

"After a tremendous amount of thought, prayer & work on ourselves individually & collectively, we have come to the conclusion to end our marriage that began 27 years ago," they wrote.

"It has truly been a beautiful journey," the statement continued. "Our proudest achievements are our three incredible children. Three souls to which God entrusted us. We continue to be awed & humbled by the blessings of parenting. We have always put their best interests first & will continue to do so."

Underwood and DaCosta also said that they will remain best friends and will co-parent their children — sons Paris, 24, and Blake, 19, and daughter Brielle, 22. They also ask for understanding and privacy following their announcement.

"We will continue to be the best of friends and co-parents and have the utmost respect for one another as we embark upon this new chapter of our lives, separately," the exes said.

"We thank you all for your support throughout the years & we humbly ask for privacy & understanding during this new season of change," they concluded.

Underwood married DaCosta on Sept. 17, 1994. In an interview with Oprah.com in 2008, the "Madea's Family Reunion" star spoke about his relationship with his wife while recalling his own parents' marriage. He said his dad served as the breadwinner to his mom.

"My parents have been married for 48 years. They are my heroes in love, and they've taught me what a relationship can be—enduring and powerful," he said.

The "Dirty Sexy Money" star also shared that when his father, a colonel in the Army, was away, he and his brother were the de facto men of the house. He said that the way his parents brought him up had a huge impact on his relationship with DaCosta.

"I took this role to heart when I was young and feeling my way around my relationship with my wife-to-be, Desiree. I wanted to be her rock, her protector. If she had a problem, I wanted to solve it. I thought that's what was expected of me," she shared.

He recounted one memory where DaCosta talked to him about a heavy issue in her life, and he interjected with a series of solutions. The actor recalled that she put her hand on his arm, looked him straight in the eye and told him, "Baby, I don't need you to fix it. I just need you to listen to me."

According to Underwood, he realized at the time that sometimes listening and being supportive were enough.

"I was relieved as well; she didn't expect me to always have an answer for her," Underwood said. "She wasn't coming to me for a repair. She just needed a shoulder to cry on."