S.C. First Lady Jenny Sanford is filing for divorce from her husband of twenty years, S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.
The news comes less than a week after FITS exclusively reported that Mrs. Sanford had served her philandering husband with legal papers – which the second-term GOP governor reportedly refused to sign.
Those papers reportedly outlined details of a financial settlement between the two, while papers served on the governor Friday were the actual divorce papers.
“As so many of us know, the dissolution of any marriage is a sad and painful process,” Mrs. Sanford said in a statement. “It is also a very personal and private one. I remain thankful to so many across this state and nation for their words of encouragement and prayers during this difficult time. Please know the boys and I are doing well and are blessed with the incredible support of friends and family and bolstered by our faith and the unfailing love of our God above.”
Mrs. Sanford said that her decision came “after many unsuccessful efforts at reconciliation.”
She also said that she was committed to “keeping the process that lies ahead peaceful for our family.”
Gov. Sanford mysteriously disappeared from the Palmetto State for five days in late June – Father’s Day weekend, to be precise. He later confessed to having an extramarital affair with his Latin lover, Maria Belen Chapur, a woman he later described as his “soul mate.” The governor also admitted to “crossing lines” with other women in the past.
In a statement released from his taxpayer-funded office, the governor acknowledged that he was disappointed with his wife’s decision.
“While it is not the course I would have hoped for, or would choose, I want to take full responsibility for the moral failure that led us to this tragic point,” Sanford said. “Jenny is a great person, and has been a remarkable wife, mother and First Lady. She has been more than gracious these last six months and gone above and beyond in her patience and commitment to put the needs of others in front of her own. While our family structure may change, I know that we will both work earnestly to be the best mom and dad we can be to four of the finest boys on earth.”
Mrs. Sanford’s announcement comes a day after the governor said publicly that he wanted to reconcile with her, and two days after a legislative committee investigating his administration assigned an “unfavorable report” to a resolution of impeachment against him.
The governor is widely believed to have used tax dollars to facilitate romantic liaisons with Chapur, including a 2008 “economic development” trip to Buenos Aires.
Mrs. Sanford publicly exited the Governor’s Mansion in August with the couple’s four children after attempts at reconciling the marriage proved fruitless. She also shed her wedding ring and has been telling people privately for months that her marriage is “over.”
The First Lady and the couple’s four boys have been living in her home on Sullivans Island, S.C. since August.
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By old timey elephant December 11, 2009 at 9:30 am
Good for Jenny. I believe she has made the very best decision for her boys and for herself.
By Calhoun Fawls December 11, 2009 at 9:40 am
I call BS on both Sanfords. Jenny is just as much a publicity hound as the Governor. I feel sorry for their boys. Resign, and go to Argentina, Mark, and live a good life for a change. That’s right, I said it. After her interview and book deal, I feel sorry for Governor Sanford. Resign and go to Maria, Governor. Be a man.
By 1 + 1 = 3 December 11, 2009 at 9:49 am
Her release comes right after her cheating ex announces he wants to reconcile his marriage – implying to their boys that it’s their mom who is throwing their family away. This from the guy who threw his wife and his kids under a bus with his actions before,during and after his AP interview about his soulmate.
Here’s Jenny’s answer:
“…I am now filing for divorce. This came after many unsuccessful efforts at reconciliation…”
If a life well lived is the best revenge….Jenny, have a great life.
By Old Yeller December 11, 2009 at 10:04 am
Calhoun, “be a man” that is too good. Leave your office, lie to your staff, nail bimbos outside of marriage, ruin your marriage, ruin your kids, bill the SC taxpayer for your legal defense, make SC a laughingstock, give ammo to the libs, on and on…run away — be a man. You are either pretty funny or a total putz.
Old Yeller loves me some Jenny Sanford. Girl can do no wrong. Pretty, smart, loves her kids. The book deal is for the dough. No probs wit dat. Someone needs to pay the bills. Citizen Sandbag will be out of work trailer trash in 13 months.
By Old Yeller December 11, 2009 at 10:10 am
1+1=3,
Maria has been at the Sanford farm recently. Mark saying he wants to reconcile while he is still seeing Maria seems a little ridiculous.
Those boys will grow up and decide what they want to be and my hope is they look at their parents — one a cheating douchebag and the other a graceful saint — and they pick a direction.
By Ynot December 11, 2009 at 10:16 am
scumbag sanfraud may be out of work sooner than that
By 2 cents December 11, 2009 at 10:22 am
Good for her. I hope she leaves his ass penniless. He is a disgrace to everyone, his family and SC. He could do the decent thing and step down, but no. For those who did not impeach him, I hope they are elected out.
By SiliconeInTheSun December 11, 2009 at 10:41 am
IMO, the book is for spite or to feed some narcissistic need for attention. What the book deal is NOT about is money since Jenny comes from money and, by all reports, is “independently wealthy.”
I dream of a future where I’ll never hear or read another word about either of these two. Even if he fades into the special obscurity reserved for disgraced has-beens, I have a sick feeling that Saint Jenny will never let any of us forget.
By annie December 11, 2009 at 10:58 am
I agree with 1+1=3 – - he wants to reconcile now!! He still doesn’t answer the question if he is in touch with his Bimbo in Arentina but he wants to talk about reconciling!! Unreal- too late Mark, hope you realize what you lost – God Bless you Jenny and your boys-they are lucky to have at least a Mom who cares – Stay strong
By Huh? December 11, 2009 at 11:09 am
For a nickle, I might give a rip! Divorce has ass already, and please move on, preferably without us having to hear about it.
By colleen December 11, 2009 at 11:18 am
Is it true that Maria was at the plantation recently? Why didn’t the news report it? What kind of a person could Mark be to say he wants a reconciliation with his wife and entertain his mistress in SC at the same time? It’s hysterical that someone could do that and still govern SC!!!!!!!
By Jonny D December 11, 2009 at 11:21 am
todo tiene su final…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdquakMg-B8
By Sullivan@aol.com December 11, 2009 at 11:50 am
Ok Mark go ahead and tell the world now what we know is already true you are going to be a father again Maria is pregnant.
By colleen December 11, 2009 at 12:22 pm
So she did file the legal papers last week which he refused to sign. That was right after Thanksgiving week so Maria may have been there then. The boys looked so sad at the lighting ceremony and after that Jenny’s web site went off for couple days as to tell us that she is no longer the 1st Lady of SC. That’s all begining to add up.
By countryboy December 11, 2009 at 12:36 pm
He’s a womanizer, she’s a publicity seeker. I could give a $hit what happens to either of them. And I would describe her looks as “plain”, at best.
By Trey December 11, 2009 at 12:52 pm
So much for forgiving and trying to start over.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' December 11, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I see the Governor has cast his vote in your poll …
By Judy December 11, 2009 at 1:05 pm
is Maria truly pregnant and here in the US … her boys must be so ashamed of their mother .. way to go Jenny .. hope your boys distance themselves from their “father”
By OhNoNotAgain December 11, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I asked once before, and it may be relavent only to me, but you FITS probably know the answer.
Jenny Sanford went to a Catholic girls school and her family is Catholic. Is she?
Because if so, divorce isn’t enough.
But Marky Mark saying Ms. Chapur is his soul mate might be enough, in the modern lay of the land, for her to get an annulment. Because you do have to be in love with your wife when you marry her.
By Old Yeller December 11, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Jenny knew the marraige was kaput after the week of press conference. She was waiting til after he was out office to file.
He had Maria up the to farm and tried to keep it secret from her. Hence the filing today.
Mark needs to understand — actions create reactions.
Give Jenny some slack — she’s dealing with craziness.
By Callie December 11, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Old Yeller, is Maria pregnant? How do you know that Maria was at the farm? What a sad situation! The pain in Jenny’s eyes during her interview with Walters was so plain to see.
By colleen December 11, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Old yeller-where did you get that info about Maria? Hard to believe that she would go along with Mark and hide. Makes you wonder what she’s like especially if she is an older woman not a twenty year old one. Thought she would want Mark to go public and show her off to the world. Why be so sneaky if you are in love? It is a lust story at the end of the night.
By Sam Kinason December 11, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Agentine televison is reporting Maria is pregnant with South Carolina Governors baby!!
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tmz.com/media/2009/07/0716_gov_sanford_mistress_3.jpg
By Callie December 11, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Sam:
The link doesn’t work…please check it again. Where did you get your information?
By jean December 11, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Do you know how many reporters/paparazzi follow Sanford around? There’s no way he had the woman at the farm or even in the state, or best yet in the country. Not with the impeachment committee’s judgment so close.
I doubt he will see that woman anytime in the near future even with this divorce filing. Even if he doesn’t have to hold up his image for the marriage, he has to do it for his sons and he does love them enough to do that.
I think the mistake Jenny made was that restriction she put on him back in June. Not that I blame her for filing divorce, but that restriction gave him the excuse to sort things out with that woman – who really has not been enjoying her life lately. In Argentina, she would have no future to find another man who would want her after what she’s done. At least not affluent men – of course there are men who would love to have freebies from her, but not for a wife. She’s done as far as that goes, so she may be settling for Sanford after all.
By ohara December 11, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Sanford is such a lying weasel. Yeah, like he wanted reconciliation. He wants JS gone, he wants his gf in Argentina AND he wants back in politics ala Newt Gingrich style. Watch him. Lying hypocrite.
By Michael S. Smith II December 11, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Congratulations, First Lady Sanford!
Whodathunkit: An example of leadership jumps forth into the political dialog in South Carolina. How rare a moment this is! (Of course, as the child of a divorced couple, I find the circumstances to be terribly unfortunate. Good job, Mark.)
… Still, at least someone in the Sanford Administration knows how to do what’s right.
Now the question becomes: How is Mark Sanford really going to be able to focus his energies on resolving the economic issues confronting this state when he’s in the throes of a divorce, a divorce initiated by one exceptionally smart lady who has no-doubt hired one very talented lawyer to represent her?
Mark, a tip (one word): RESIGN. (I don’t know the word for RESIGN in Spanish. A little help please, FITS!)
… The brains behind Team St. Sanford (I mean really, Mark, a press conference in front of church in Charleston your not even a member of) has jumped ship. It’s time for everyone else surrounding the governor to do the same, including his pals serving on the House Judiciary Committee. The compass is lost, the rudder is broken, and Mark’s stranded on ____ (you fill in the blank, just please don’t keep calling me gay, Fits Fans).
What’s their excuse now? He can’t possibly be regarded as someone who can be an effective governor in the next year with this on his plate.
… Game over on the public perceptions front. Have Rasmussen conduct a poll now (that the actual record of information used in the impeachment contemplation process has actually been entered into the public record).
… I wonder if Mark’s already called that real estate company in Buenos Aires to do some more “prospecting.” You know, for a new home.
“Hast la vista, PENDEJO!”
MICHAEL S. SMITH II
By Old Yeller December 11, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Jean, It would be neat to be married to you…for about a week.
You are a doormat.
By colleen December 11, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Jean your post is the most logical one. I find it hard to believe that Maria would have been at the plantation sight unseen. I believe that Jenny should have let Mark back to the house and try to see if they can salvage their marriage not for the boys sakes but theirs. The word soulmate is what came between them and in due time that would go away. Time heals all wounds. Jenny could also swallow the worst of the deadly sins “PRIDE”.
By Michael S. Smith II December 11, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Here is the poll which should be conducted now:
What should Gov. Mark Sanford do next?
Options:
A. RESIGN.
B. RESIGN and don a muzzle when in public.
C. RESIGN and move to Argentina.
D. RESIGN and buy a condo on the “beachhead” he put in at Shanghai.*
E. ALL OF THE ABOVE!
*See comments made by Gov. on September 8, 2009 while a guest on Keven Cohen’s talk radio show, a transcript of which begins on page 9 here:
http://www.palmettotimes.com/pdfs/SpecialReport.RegardingThe2008TradeTripToArgentina.pdf
MICHAEL S. SMITH II
By Ynot December 11, 2009 at 4:08 pm
divorce on the grounds of adultery
filing is “venulo martimonii”
Check out what that means.
Jenny means it.
A VINCULO MATRIMONII – Lat. ‘from the bond of marriage’. A marriage may be dissolved a vinculo, in many states, as in Pennsylvania, on the ground of canonical disabilities before marriage, as that one of the parties was legally married to a person who was then living; impotence, and the like adultery cruelty and malicious desertion for two years or more. In New York a sentence of imprisonment for life is also a ground for a divorce a vinculo. When the marriage is dissolved a vinculo, the parties may marry again but when the cause is adultery, the guilty party cannot marry his or her paramour.
He’s still seeing the mistress though……
A mistress is a man’s long-term female lover and or companion who is not married to him, especially used when the man is married to another woman. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually, but not always, secret. And there is the implication that a mistress may be “kept”—i.e., that the man is paying for some of the woman’s living expenses, or provides her with an allowance.
trust me people, Maria is ” kept”
By ohara December 11, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Michael S. Smith II wrote:
… I wonder if Mark’s already called that real estate company in Buenos Aires to do some more “prospecting.”
“Hasta la vista, PENDEJO!”
—
Hey Smith, add pinche cabron to that sentiment & I’ll co-sign.
By jean December 11, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Doormat I am not, but I am a supporter of the sanctity of marriage.
Ynot, Maria a “kept” woman? Do you know that she’s a rich woman and has a very high profile life in Argentina? If anything, Mark Sanford is the kept man. If she does meet up with Mark Sanford in the future, I believe the people in SC would resent her and make her life there miserable, so he would have to move to Argentina, but it would mean giving up his farm and his boys. His best option is to give her up because the one sure thing is his boys will not accept her and that will be a huge issue.
By birdman December 11, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Hey Mark, you thought you has good lawyers when you went up against them dumbasses on that panel, Jenny is going to roast your fucking nuts with the shit she has own your ass scumbag!
By Sick of Sanford December 11, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I just saw a picture of Maria on abcnews.go.com. Wow! It must be true what the say; beauty is in the eye of the beholder….or else Markie needs to see an Ophthalmologist pronto. Even a repugnant asshat like Sanford could trade up from that. Then again…maybe not.
By anonymous December 11, 2009 at 9:08 pm
“Sad Mark Sanford Still Thinks His Wife Might Take Him Back” [Delusional]
Maybe the Argentinian lover wasn’t his soulmate, after all? SC Gov. Mark Sanford is still begging scorned wife Jenny to take him back.
Didn’t you see her Barbara Walters interview, Mark? She’s just not that into you, anymore.
Is Maria Belen Chapur, Mark Sanford’s “soulmate”? That’s what he said over and over and over. “Maria is my soulmate!”
Now, Mark “The Freak Show” Sanfraud is saying that he wants to reconcile with Jenny Sanford? What a freakin’ freak!
Marky-Mark Sanfraud is a one-man freak show.
By B.R. Jackie Isgett December 11, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Mark Sanford is nothing more than an idiot and an embarrassment to every
SC citizen. If Sanford endorses any candidate for any office, please use
your own common sense and strike that candidates name. Also, remember the
legislators who wasted so much of the taxpayer’s money to do nothing to rid the state of Mark Sanford. I wish Jenny Sanford and her four children
the best. I am sure the children will need counseling and will get it with
their mother’s intelligence and guidance. I hope Jenny will not even leave Mark
Sanford with enough to buy toilet tissue. If memory serves me correctly
though, it is still the “Good Ole Boy” System in South Carolina!
By wisemon December 11, 2009 at 10:54 pm
What a sad sad day! I feel for the entire Sanford family but maybe most for Gov. Sanford. I do believe he is sincerely sorry and has apologized all over himself to everyone. I know he wants to bring the family back together and really work on it. Jenny , of course, has every right to be angry at him but it does not seem that she has really tried to make the marriage work. Is she really thkning of anyone other than herself? Can’t seh swallow her pride? I hardly think she is doing the right thing for the boys….filing for divorce right here before Christmas!! Let’s all remember the entire family in our prayers. They need them I wish Jenny would reconsider and try a little longer. Their mariage is worth it!
By Tom Davison December 11, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I Tom Davis give my friend Mark as many chances as possible, he will rule the world one day.HA HA HARDEE HARR HAR. WHAT DO PRISONS AND SOUTH CAROLINA LAWMAKERS HAVE IN COMMON? THEY BOTH TAKE CARE OF CROOKS!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
By sancho December 12, 2009 at 3:57 am
honestly, the fact that sanford was not driven out of this state by a pitchfork wielding mob is sad and exposes the fact that the honest, hardworking schlubs of SC are no more than peasants and wage slaves and the mark sanfords of SC are the aristocrats and feudal lords and are subject to zero accountability. in fact, the public dime in SC is just the expense account for the likes of those who continent hop for nookie, and who get caught doing it, and whose rewards is a lifetime pension. and as for saint jenny, if she’s not doing the babs show for money or writing the book for money, then wtf is it for? and if it is for the money, with her persoanl wealth, then that’s even more pathetic.
By anonymous December 12, 2009 at 11:11 am
To read the divorce papers filed in Charleston County Family Court, click here:
http://media.charleston.net/2009/pdf/sanford_divorcepapers.12.11.09.pdf
By 1 + 1 = 3 December 12, 2009 at 12:42 pm
wisemon
Are you kidding me? He begged to see his lover during their initial counseling with cubby, went to see his lover during the quiet time his wife asked him to consider what he was doing to their family, told the world that his lover was his true soulmate, texted his lover during their marriage counseling sessions in Texas, called his lover during the vacation that was so important to his boys and chose his job over quietly going home to heal his family.
And that doesn’t even account for the fact he won’t say if he’s still in contact with his lover or the rumors that his lover is at the farm this whole time…
And this isn’t what he chose to have happen? I think his choices have been very clear all along.
And you feel sorry for him? Unfkng believable
By Samara December 12, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Is it true that Maria is pregnant? If so, that’s horrible. I wish Jenny and her family the best. The prize Maria is getting is a liar and a cheater. Good Luck with that!
By by annie December 12, 2009 at 2:04 pm
1+1=3 – you are again right on!! Why can’t Fitsnews tell the real story of why Jenny had to file right before Christmas-you hit on most of it but there is much more – Mark continues to degrade Jenny by his actions with his Aregentine soulmate-still in the picture big time-while he continues the charade of telling the news he wants toreconcile-those of you who continue to criticize Jenny don’t know how hard she tried-don’t any of you trust him – feel sorry for his boys having him for a father-she also much be careful not to allow him to take those boys on a visit to Argentina.
By Ynot December 12, 2009 at 2:10 pm
He’s seeing her.
It’s a fact.
She’s not who you think she is.
Mark is hiding a lot.
The truth is going to seep out.
The Governor needs to be hospitalized for delusions.
By callie December 12, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Ynot – Who is the real Maria? Why can’t you tell us the whole situation? What is the truth?
By shiya December 12, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Even Time magazine has become her fan.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1947305,00.html
By colleen December 12, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Ynot and 1+1 Are you friends with the Sanford Family or know some one who does? Why are you giving us riddles? Are you helping Will to keep us glued to the Fits News?
Since everything is out in the open, you could at least finish what you are dying to tell us.
Jenny could have said it was hard to reconcile with Mark because Maria is here in SC, but she didn’t and that would have given her more sympathy(like Pricess Diana saying she couldn’t wirk woth Prince Charles because Camilla was in the way).
P&C-one of the articles said they tried to contact a spokesperson, friend of Maria in regards to the divorce story. So there was a way to find out about Maria’s whereabouts. Didn’t Will try that?
By shiya December 12, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Its pretty obvious. The AP article states that the gov still refuses to say if he has cut off contact with Maria. There is your answer. Jenny might just be too classy to bring up her name.
By Ynot December 13, 2009 at 7:13 am
there’s a reason no one has seen or talked with Maria.
Maria does exist.
Mark Sanfraud is a liar.
By alaindelon December 13, 2009 at 9:15 am
Ynot,
Please help us take out the garbage…Tell us point blank what you
know about Sinfraud and the real Maria.We are exhausted with his
lies…Give South Carolina a Christmas gift! The men in the
Assembly have no balls.Go ahead and out this pathological liar.
By Libb December 13, 2009 at 9:26 am
Shiya, Are you on Jenny’s payroll or Prez of her fan club? It’s obvious her actions are the antithesis of the “leave me alone so I can take care of my boys” public bullcrap mantra she keeps spouting. Classy? Puhleeze!
By SnakeMD December 13, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I truly feel sorry for Mark Sanford. IMHO I believe he has had an actual mental breakdown and suffers from some type of personality disorder. He needs actual MD help away from SC and needs to “run away” from his so called spiritual advisors. They have done him more harm than good. I would like to say it is none of our business if he is being diagnosed or treated, but he is the governor of SC, so I guess we do have the right to know if he is stable or not. I just wish he would do a Palin and get some help. If Tiger Woods can quit golf, to get back on track, why can’t Sanford quit doing whatever he does and get some help? He’s on my prayer list.
By hiltonswinger December 13, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Sancho: you have summed up this whole affair (pun intended) nicely. Keep up the good work and observations.
By Designated Driver December 13, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Snake, I think you hit the nail on the head. We don’t need impeachment hearings. We need committment proceedings. The dumb sumbitch really thinks he did nothing wrong and that the censure vote exhonarated him.
By Ynot December 14, 2009 at 6:46 am
Sanfraud is sick.
Nope not friends to answer that question.
Intertwined is a better description of how and what I know.
It’s coming out people… slowly and surely.
It’s gonna make people sick.
By colleen December 14, 2009 at 8:37 am
Not friends huh? Interwined gossip is not always believable; but then if there is something, the tabloid reporters would have been on his you know what.
By ohara December 14, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Even Pravda picked up the story:
http://newsfromrussia.com/news/society/12-12-2009/111089-Sanford-0
Please tell me that he never went to Russia on any Congressional junkets.