\n\u201cThroughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so,\u201d the Gibsons said in a joint statement released to Access on Monday.
\nRobyn signed the divorce papers on Thursday and filed the papers on Monday morning in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing \u201cirreconcilable differences\u201d as the reason for the split.
\nHowever, Access has learned the couple has actually been separated for nearly three years.
\nMel and Robyn were married in 1980 after meeting in Australia in 1977.
\nThe couple has seven children \u2013 the oldest, Hannah, was born in 1980 and the youngest, Thomas, born in 1999, is the only minor.
\nIn the divorce papers obtained by Access Hollywood, Robyn is seeking joint physical and legal custody of Thomas. She is also requesting the court grant her spousal support from the actor.
\nRobyn is also requesting ownership of \u201cmiscellaneous jewelry.\u201d
\nRobyn has hired Laura Wasser, who has handled other high-profile divorces for celebrities including Angelina Jolie and Britney Spears.
\nAccess has also learned that Mel and Robyn did not have a prenuptial agreement.
\nAccording to an article in the December 1, 2008 issue of the National Enquirer, Gibson has a reported net worth of approximately $900 million.
\nMel, who spent Easter weekend at his home in Malibu, recently wrapped production on his latest film, \u201cEdge of Darkness,\u201d a murder conspiracy thriller due in theaters in 2010.
\nAnd on Monday afternoon, Mel, who is being represented by attorney Robert S. Kaufman, filed his response to the divorce filing.
\nIn his response filing, Mel is also asking a court to grant their divorce and lists their date of separation as August 26, 2006, a date just one month after he was arrested for DUI in Malibu and was accused of using anti-Semitic language at the arresting officer.
\nMel also cited irreconcilable differences for the split.
\nHe also is asking for joint legal and physical custody of their minor son, Thomas Rufus.
\nThe actor has also asked that the court terminate its ability to award spousal support to either Robyn or himself.
\nMel\u2019s lawyer previously represented Michael Douglas and Rupert Murdoch in their divorce cases, according to Entrepreneur magazine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"