Golf:Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren announced their divorce as they brought an end to a saga which tarnished the reputation of the world's number one golfer.
Woods (34) who has struggled on the course since the first allegations he had been unfaithful emerged, earlier this year apologised publicly for having had affairs.
Rumours of Woods' affairs first leaked out last November, resulting in him losing high-profile endorsement deals and his clean-cut image, before culminating in his permanent split from Nordegren.
The couple issued a joint statement through their lawyers, which read: "We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future.
"While we are no longer married, we are the parents of two wonderful children and their happiness has been, and will always be, of paramount importance to both of us.
"Once we came to the decision that our marriage was at an end, the primary focus of our amicable discussions has been to ensure their future well-being.
"The weeks and months ahead will not be easy for them as we adjust to a new family situation, which is why our privacy must be a principal concern."
The divorce had been anticipated, and there was no word from lawyers on details of a settlement.
Suggestions of Woods' indiscretions first emerged last November after he was injured in a car accident near his Florida home after colliding with a fire hydrant and a tree. He was not seriously hurt.
Gossip websites in the United States began speculating that the incident may have been connected to reports earlier that week in the National Enquirer alleging an
affair with a New York nightclub hostess.
Two days after the accident, Woods released a statement. "I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again. This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way."
He released a further statement on December 11th, apologising for his "infidelity" and announcing he would be taking an "indefinite break" from golf.
In the meantime, he lost sponsorship deals with Gatorade and Accenture, while other endorsement deals were scaled down.
Woods spent time in therapy, staying away from golf for five months, and he kept his counsel until February 19th. It was then that the 14-time major winner issued an emotional apology for cheating on his wife in front of a gathering of selected journalists and colleagues.
"I was unfaithful, I had affairs, I cheated," he said then. "What I did is not acceptable and I am the only person to blame. I stopped living by the core values I was taught to believe in.
"I knew my actions were wrong but I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I never thought about who I was hurting, instead I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries a married couple should live by.
"I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled thanks to money and fame. I didn't have to go far to find them. I was wrong and I was foolish."
Woods faced media questioning for the first time on his return to golf at the Masters at Augusta in April. He finished joint fourth behind Phil Mickelson, who has subsequently threatened to end Woods' run as world number one.
Woods remains without a win in 2010 and missed out on automatic qualification for the US Ryder Cup team for the tournament at Celtic Manor in October. He will require a captain's pick from Corey Pavin to play in Wales.