Washington - Former United States vice-president Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, have decided to separate after 40 years of marriage, they announced on Tuesday.
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The Gores, in an email message confirmed by their office, said the decision was made "after a great deal of thought and discussion".
"This is very much a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration," they said. "We ask for respect for our privacy and that of our family, and we do not intend to comment further."
Al Gore, a Democrat, who was Bill Clinton's vice-president for eight years, narrowly lost the presidency to Republican George Bush in 2000 and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his work against global climate change.
During the Democratic National Convention in 2000, the Gores exchanged a long, passionate kiss on stage that became famous. - Reuters