Jessica Mulroney, formerly Meghan Markle’s best friend, has separated from her husband Ben Mulroney after 16 years of marriage, according to Page Six. Their split follows several challenging years for Jessica, who was cut off by Markle in 2020 after a public racism controversy that hurt her reputation in Toronto society.
Jessica and Ben share three children, and sources say the separation happened some time ago. Jessica has been seen without her wedding ring and reportedly told friends about the split during a high-profile wedding in Toronto last month. The event was attended by celebrities such as Drake and LeBron James. Jessica wore a standout red gown, but Ben was not present.
On Instagram, Jessica has shared recent photos clearly showing her without her wedding ring. One of the last times she mentioned Ben was in March 2024, when she joked that they both forgot their wedding anniversary.
Ben Mulroney, the son of the late Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, was a well-known figure in Canadian media. Jessica’s social standing grew when her close friendship with Meghan Markle became public during Markle’s relationship with Prince Harry. Jessica styled Meghan for her engagement photos, and her children took part in the royal wedding in 2018. Her daughter Ivy was a bridesmaid, and her twin sons were page boys.
The friendship between Jessica and Meghan ended in 2020 when Canadian influencer Sasha Exeter accused Jessica of racist behavior during a discussion about the Black Lives Matter movement. Jessica later issued a public apology, but the scandal had lasting effects. She lost her job on Good Morning America, her TV show was canceled, and she stepped down from various charitable roles.
Sources say Ben’s family was worried about the damage to the Mulroney name. His sister Caroline Mulroney, who is a current Ontario minister, is seen as a future leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and a potential prime minister.
