Comedy star Chris Rock and his wife Malaak Compton-Rock are divorcing after 19 years of marriage. People Magazine reports that Rock’s lawyer Robert S. Cohen confirmed the news in a statement:

“Chris Rock has filed for divorce from his wife, Malaak, This is a personal matter and Chris requests privacy as he and Malaak work through this process and focus on their family,” Cohen said.

Malaak Compton-Rock also released a statement on Sunday confirming the split:

“After much contemplation and 19 years of marriage, Chris and I have decided to go our separate ways,” she wrote. “Being fortunate enough to lead a life of service by working with those most vulnerable makes me well aware of life’s blessings, even when faced with difficulties.”

Compton-Rock is the founder of two nonprofits, the Angel Rock project and styleWorks.

She continued, “While recognizing that this is a significant change, my children remain at the center of my life and their well-being is my top priority. It is in this spirit that I sincerely ask that their privacy and the privacy of our family be respected during this transition in our lives.”

The pair married in 1996 and have two daughters together: Lola, 12, and Zahra, 10.