TV chef Cat Cora and wife Jennifer to divorce after 17 years together and carrying each other's embryos
- Cat released statement Monday saying couple have 'mutually decided' to end marriage
- Duo have four sons conceived through IVF
- TMZ reports divorce papers state Jennifer Cora is asking for full physical custody while Cat is asking for joint custody
Celebrity chef Cat Cora and wife Jennifer are divorcing after 17 years together.
The couple - who were in a long-term domestic partnership before marrying in 2013 - share four children together.
In a statement to People Cat said: 'It is with great sadness, that after 17 years, a tremendous amount work, careful consideration and heavy hearts, my wife and I have mutually decided to no longer remain married.'
She added: 'In love, there is a season, a reason and a lifetime.
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Split: TV chef Cat Cora (right) and wife Jennifer (left) are divorcing after 17 years together
'Although this is not what we ever imagined, we will always have four incredible reasons to celebrate our years together: our sons,
'We are forever parents to our boys and are jointly committed to raising them in a peaceful, nurturing and healthy environment.'
Meanwhile it was reported on Monday that the duo could be heading for a custody battle according to their legal documents which were filed at the same time.
In divorce papers obtained by TMZ, the professional chef and author is asking for joint custody of their four sons while Jennifer Cora has requested full physical custody.
Heading for a custody battle? TMZ has obtained divorce documents which show Jennifer wants full physical custody of the couple's four sons while Cora has asked for joint custody. The family are seen in a picture from 2012
The duo share sons Zoran, 11, Caje, eight, Thatcher, and Nash, six and carried each other's embryos during their IVF journey.
Jennifer gave birth to Zoran, Caje and Thatcher while Cat, 48, welcomed Nash three-months after Thatcher was born.
The couple currently reside in Santa Barbara and in a 2010 interview with Working Mother, Cat talked about the couple's unique and complicated process of having their children.
'We knew we wanted to have four kids,' she said, 'She didn't want to wait, and she got pregnant quickly. After she did, we decided I shouldn’t wait … It would be easier to raise two young babies together, almost as twins. Jennifer could breastfeed for me when I was on the road.'
Big brood: The couple (pictured last year) share boys Zoran, Caje, Thatcher, and Nash together
The duo used one sperm donor for all pregnancies and Cora explained: 'The doctor implanted Jennifer and me with each other’s eggs,'
'So she gave birth to Caje, but he's my biological child. I carried Nash, but he's Jennifer’s biological child.'
She also explained that the mothers had to legally adopt their own children.
'As a same-sex couple, we had to go back and legally adopt them. Even though Nash was her biological son, Jennifer had to adopt him. Same with me and Caje.'
Author: The Iron Chef star has been recently promoting her book titled Cooking As Fast As I Can
As Cat is the main breadwinner, TMZ also reports that Jennifer has asked for spousal support in papers she filed.
Cat made headlines in 2012 when she was arrested for a DUI after rear-ending another vehicle.
At the time, the Around the World in 80 Plates host said: 'I deeply regret my decision to drive that evening after my designated driver became unavailable.
'I learned a very important lesson from this experience and take full accountability for my actions.'
The star added: 'This will never happen again.'
Legal woes: Cat, 48, made headlines when she was arrested for a DUI in 2012 after rear-ending another car
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