HEAVYWEIGHT boxing legend Vitali Klitscko has split from his wife of 26 years Natalia with the pair living in different countries.
But the 51-year-old has insisted the pair still have a “very good relationship”.
Klitschko is mayor of Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where he has been working tirelessly since Russia’s invasion earlier in February.
Meanwhile ex-model and musician Natalia, 48, has been living in Germany for years.
The pair married back in 1996 after reportedly first meeting in the Ukrainian capital, although they have been separated for some time.
And Klitschko has confirmed they have now officially filed for divorce.
Read More In Boxing
He told German outlet Bild: “We filed for divorce together because we have been living apart for years and now want to make it official.
“We have a very good relationship and respect each other, but we’ve been living separately in different cities for a long time.”
The ex-couple have three children together – Yegor-Daniel, 22, Elizabeth-Victoria, 19, and Max, 16.
Natalia is half German, half Ukrainian and is also a yoga teacher.
Most read in Boxing
Vitali is still said to be writing to her every morning to tell her he is safe in Kyiv.
Natalia is claimed to have been helping looking after refugees who have fled war-torn Ukraine in the last six months.
As a boxer Vitali boasted a 45-2 record, winning the WBO and WBC heavyweight titles along the way.
He got involved in politics before retiring from the sport, and has been mayor of Kyiv since 2014.
Alongside brother and fellow boxing icon Wladimir, Vitali vowed he was willing to die for his country fighting against Russian invaders.
The pair took up arms to defend Kyiv from Russian soldiers when the invasion was targeting the Ukrainian capital earlier this year.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
