Fergie and Josh Duhamel split after 8 years of marriage

Fergie and Josh Duhamel have called it quits after eight years of marriage.

The couple, who share 4-year-old son Axl, released a joint statement to People on Thursday announcing their surprising split.

SEE ALSO: Heidi Klum and boyfriend Vito Schnabel are taking a break: 'Things have been difficult recently'

"With absolute love and respect we decided to separate as a couple earlier this year," they said. “To give our family the best opportunity to adjust, we wanted to keep this a private matter before sharing it with the public. We are and will always be united in our support of each other and our family.”

The couple's last official public appearance together came all the way back in August of 2016 at the premiere of the movie "Spaceman," though they celebrated their eighth anniversary together in January.

Duhamel opened up to AOL Entertainment earlier this year about his relationship with Fergie and gushed about her incredible parenting skills.

"The thing that really amazes me about her is her incredible patience and absolute dedication and love for him," he told us around Mother's Day. "She puts him above anything else."

"For a girl, which everything has always been about her, to see what the love of a child can do is pretty amazing," he continued. "She would do anything or that kid. She's an amazing mom."

More from AOL.com:
Jennifer Aniston opens up like never before about her engagement and marriage to Justin Theroux
Candice Bergen turns heads with phrase on her sweater as she details date with Donald Trump
Meghan Markle's 'Suits' co-star Patrick J. Adams says he went off social media after posting a pic of actress