The 20-Year Itch: Why Marriages Now End After Two Decades 2026

The 20-year itch is replacing the seven-year itch as the most common time for marriages to end, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). More than a quarter of all divorces between opposite-sex couples in England and Wales now occur after 20 years or more of marriage.

This shift challenges the long-held belief that most relationships falter after five to nine years. Instead, couples are increasingly calling it quits after two decades together, and celebrities are no exception.

What the ONS Data Reveals About the 20-Year Itch

The ONS figures show that 26% of the 102,879 divorces granted to opposite-sex couples in England and Wales in 2022 happened after at least 20 years of marriage. That's more than a quarter of all splits, and it marks a significant change from historical patterns.

Since records began in 1963, the largest proportion of divorces each year has almost always been among couples married for five to nine years. But the average length of a marriage ending in divorce reached a record high last year, indicating that couples are staying together longer before separating.

Celebrities and the 20-Year Itch

Several high-profile splits have brought attention to the 20-year itch. Former Strictly presenter Tess Daly separated from her husband, Vernon Kay, after 22 years of marriage. Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville split from his wife, Lulu Williams, in 2023 after 25 years together.

In 2019, Colin Firth announced his separation from wife Livia Giuggioli after 22 years. And last year, Hollywood star Nicole Kidman and singer Keith Urban separated after almost 20 years of marriage. These celebrity examples mirror the broader trend seen in the ONS data.

Why Couples Are Waiting Longer to Divorce

Divorce lawyers have previously said some couples are putting off splitting up because of the cost of living crisis. Financial pressures can make it harder to afford separate homes, especially after decades of shared assets and responsibilities.

Additionally, couples who have been married for 20 years or more often have grown children and may feel less urgency to separate while children are still in school. Once the nest is empty, they may reassess their relationship and decide to part ways.

The Seven-Year Itch Still Exists

Despite the rise of the 20-year itch, the seven-year itch hasn't disappeared. ONS figures have long shown that the largest proportion of divorces each year is among those who have spent between five and nine years as a couple.

So while more couples are divorcing later in life, the early years of marriage remain a vulnerable period. The difference is that now, a significant number of couples are also calling it quits after two decades, creating a bimodal pattern of divorce risk. The background to this story is set out in Gen Z Marriage and Divorce Trends: A Sensible Shift. A related thread runs through Therapist Advice: When to End a Marriage and Why. Earlier coverage in Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller Marriage Musical Unveiled shows how the argument developed.

Key Takeaways for Couples

• More than a quarter of opposite-sex divorces now occur after 20 years of marriage.
• Celebrity splits like Tess Daly and Vernon Kay highlight the trend.
• Financial pressures may delay divorce, leading to later separations.
• The seven-year itch still exists, but the 20-year itch is growing.
• Average marriage length at divorce is at a record high.

Divorce Trends at a Glance

What This Means for the Future of Marriage

The data suggests that marriages are lasting longer overall, but when they end, they are more likely to end after two decades. This could be due to changing social norms, increased life expectancy, and the financial realities of divorce. A closer look at the same subject appears in Celebrity: latest articles. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Why Couples Are Getting Divorced Later in Life: Career First. The same theme surfaces in Lena Dunham's Return: A Voice for 40-Year-Olds Everywhere, which takes a different angle.

For couples, the takeaway is that relationships require attention at all stages. The 20-year mark may be just as critical as the seven-year mark, if not more so. Context on how this played out before sits in Vanessa Williams Joins Portrait Artist of the Year 2026 Cast. A companion piece, The 20-Year Itch: Why Marriages Now End After Two Decades, approaches the same subject from another angle.