In a profoundly personal and emotional announcement that has captivated her global readership, Elizabeth Gilbert, the celebrated author of the international phenomenon Eat, Pray, Love, has revealed she is leaving her marriage.
The decision, detailed in a heartfelt post on her social media platforms, stems from an immense personal tragedy. Gilbert's close friend and former partner, Rayya Elias, has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic and liver cancer.
Gilbert, 54, explained that upon receiving Elias's devastating diagnosis, the nature of all her relationships shifted instantly. She described the moment as a clarion call, prioritising the need to provide unwavering care and support for her dying friend above all else.
'This is my person,' Gilbert wrote, referring to Elias. 'When she got sick, I felt the tectonic plates of my life realign. I knew I had to be there for her, completely and without reservation.'
The author had been in a committed relationship with her husband, José Nunes—the 'Felipe' from her iconic memoir—for over 12 years. The pair met during the celebrated journey documented in Eat, Pray, Love and married in 2007.
Gilbert was careful to clarify that her separation from Nunes is not due to animosity or a failed relationship, but rather a necessary reorientation of her life to honour a deep, pre-existing bond and a call to duty in the face of mortality.
The literary world and her legion of fans have responded with an outpouring of support for Gilbert's courageous and compassionate decision, highlighting her commitment to living a life aligned with her own teachings on love, loss, and authenticity.
