"People" cover ((HANDOUT / April 26, 2010)) |
LOS ANGELES -- Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock says she has filed for divorce from husband Jesse James, and is adopting a baby as a single mother.
The actress separated from James in March in the wake of his cheating scandal.
The split came just 10 days after Bullock won the best actress Oscar for her role in the blockbuster "The Blind Side."
Bullock filed for divorce April 23 in Austin, Texas, where she has a home.
The case was filed under her initials, but backwards -- B.A.S. -- which is why it didn't surface until now.
The paperwork simply says the two "have ceased to live together as husband and wife" and that the "marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities."
The filing states the couple has no child under 18 years of age who is entitled to financial support.
There are also reports that Bullock has filed a restraining order against James, forcing him to stay away from her.
Meantime: in a story posted Wednesday on People magazine's website, the 45-year-old actress confirms, "Yes, I have filed for divorce," and also reveals that she is adopting a 3 1/2-month-old boy, Louis Bardo Bullock, as a single parent.
Bullock and James, 41, started the adoption process four years ago and brought Louis home in January but decided to keep the news to themselves until after the Oscars.
The boy was born in New Orleans and is named after after jazz great Louis Armstrong, who had particularly touched Bullock with his signature song, "What a Wonderful World."
James is speaking out as well, saying he has a huge hole in his heart but understands his wife's decisions.
"The decision to let my wife end our marriage, and continue the adoption of Louis on her own, has been the hardest. The love I have for Louis cannot be put to words. Not having him around to love and to hold has left a huge hole in my heart," James told the magazine.
"Sandy is the love of my life, but considering the pain and devastation I have caused her, it would be selfish to not let her go. Right now it is time for me to beat this addiction that has taken two of the things I love the most in life."
James also defended Bullock.
"I ask that you please do not judge Sandy for the things I have done. She has done no wrong. She played no part in any of this. She has been an amazing wife, mother, and best friend, for the over 6 years we have been together."
Bullock said she got the call that a baby might be available for adoption during what she described as "the media craziness of the awards season."
She decided to shield Louis from the flurry of activity and kept his existence a secret from all but a few trusted associates and loved ones.
"Just the doctors' visits were filled with decoys and dark cars," she said. "People that I had worked with for years couldn't understand why I wouldn't let them into my house for (Oscar ceremony gown) fittings."
While she's a new mom, Bullock also said she is "sad" and "scared" about the end of her five-year marriage.
When asked about whether James had cheated, Bullock told People she "had no idea about anything."
"I did the only thing I could do, and that was to pack enough clothes to live on, get all of Louis' things and get out of town. My main concern was Louis."
James reportedly confessed to Bullock that he had been unfaithful with at least seven women. He also issued a public apology to his family following the reports of his infidelity.
The motorcycle mogul briefly checked into a Tucson, Arizona rehab facility to receive treatment for sex addiction.
When asked about her relationship with James' three children, Bullock said, "I don't want to know what life is like without those kids. ... Whatever we need to do, in the healthiest way, we are going to be co-parenting."
Looking ahead to life without James, the actress said, "I really don't know how our paths will intersect in the future, but the father I have known Jesse to be with all the kids is one that I hope Louis can experience one day, no matter how Jesse and I go on with our lives."
The actress separated from James in March in the wake of his cheating scandal.
The split came just 10 days after Bullock won the best actress Oscar for her role in the blockbuster "The Blind Side."
Bullock filed for divorce April 23 in Austin, Texas, where she has a home.
The case was filed under her initials, but backwards -- B.A.S. -- which is why it didn't surface until now.
The paperwork simply says the two "have ceased to live together as husband and wife" and that the "marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities."
The filing states the couple has no child under 18 years of age who is entitled to financial support.
There are also reports that Bullock has filed a restraining order against James, forcing him to stay away from her.
Meantime: in a story posted Wednesday on People magazine's website, the 45-year-old actress confirms, "Yes, I have filed for divorce," and also reveals that she is adopting a 3 1/2-month-old boy, Louis Bardo Bullock, as a single parent.
Bullock and James, 41, started the adoption process four years ago and brought Louis home in January but decided to keep the news to themselves until after the Oscars.
The boy was born in New Orleans and is named after after jazz great Louis Armstrong, who had particularly touched Bullock with his signature song, "What a Wonderful World."
James is speaking out as well, saying he has a huge hole in his heart but understands his wife's decisions.
"The decision to let my wife end our marriage, and continue the adoption of Louis on her own, has been the hardest. The love I have for Louis cannot be put to words. Not having him around to love and to hold has left a huge hole in my heart," James told the magazine.
"Sandy is the love of my life, but considering the pain and devastation I have caused her, it would be selfish to not let her go. Right now it is time for me to beat this addiction that has taken two of the things I love the most in life."
James also defended Bullock.
"I ask that you please do not judge Sandy for the things I have done. She has done no wrong. She played no part in any of this. She has been an amazing wife, mother, and best friend, for the over 6 years we have been together."
Bullock said she got the call that a baby might be available for adoption during what she described as "the media craziness of the awards season."
She decided to shield Louis from the flurry of activity and kept his existence a secret from all but a few trusted associates and loved ones.
"Just the doctors' visits were filled with decoys and dark cars," she said. "People that I had worked with for years couldn't understand why I wouldn't let them into my house for (Oscar ceremony gown) fittings."
While she's a new mom, Bullock also said she is "sad" and "scared" about the end of her five-year marriage.
When asked about whether James had cheated, Bullock told People she "had no idea about anything."
"I did the only thing I could do, and that was to pack enough clothes to live on, get all of Louis' things and get out of town. My main concern was Louis."
James reportedly confessed to Bullock that he had been unfaithful with at least seven women. He also issued a public apology to his family following the reports of his infidelity.
The motorcycle mogul briefly checked into a Tucson, Arizona rehab facility to receive treatment for sex addiction.
When asked about her relationship with James' three children, Bullock said, "I don't want to know what life is like without those kids. ... Whatever we need to do, in the healthiest way, we are going to be co-parenting."
Looking ahead to life without James, the actress said, "I really don't know how our paths will intersect in the future, but the father I have known Jesse to be with all the kids is one that I hope Louis can experience one day, no matter how Jesse and I go on with our lives."
