Amidst rumours they were on the brink of a divorce, President Bharrat Jagdeo and First Lady Varshnie Jagdeo yesterday announced they have decided to amicably end their marriage and lead separate lives.

The marriage on July 26, 1998.

"We wish to inform the people of Guyana that we have decided to end our marriage as we have grown apart over the years," the First Couple said in a brief joint statement.

Third generation

"It is an amicable parting and we feel this is the best course for us as we both wish to find happiness and have families of our own in the future," the Guyanese Head of State and his wife (ex) said in the statement issued by the Office of the President.

"We hope that you can understand and respect our decision in what is essentially a private matter. We wish to thank all those who have offered their support at this time."

The First Couple when Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo was sworn in as President on August 11, 1999.

President Jagdeo, 43, and Mrs. Jagdeo, 37, however, assured that they intend to continue to serve Guyana, but said this will now be done in their "individual ways".

President Jagdeo, at a media conference last week, hinted at divorce when he indicated that in “two weeks time” the public will know about the status of the relationship between himself and his wife.

In response to a question at a news conference at the Office of the President, on whether there was a rift between the two, Mr. Jagdeo responded: "I will deal with that within two weeks. Within two weeks you will hear about that from me."

"In two weeks time you will get a chance to ask me that again...and then you will get all the explanations," the President stressed.

Varshnie Jagdeo, also referred to by her close friends as "Uma", has emerged as a passionate advocate for children in Guyana. Using her organisation, Kids First Fund, she has helped scores of underprivileged children to access heart surgery in India and has provided humanitarian assistance to hundreds locally.

Mrs. Jagdeo, in a separate individual statement issued by the Office of the First Lady, said, "The President and I have grown apart over the past years and it is for this reason and this reason alone, that we have decided to end our marriage."

"I want you to know it has been an honour and privilege for me to serve Guyana in the capacity of First Lady."

She also expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone in Guyana and overseas for the kindness shown to her and for supporting her work, especially her family.

"I hope you can understand and respect not only this decision, but the desire to keep our personal life just that, personal," the First Lady said.

"It is an amicable parting and we feel this is the best choice for us as we both wish to find love and happiness and have families of our own one day," she said.

"I intend to continue serving Guyana wherever I am, in particular with Kids First Fund, the Citizen's Advice Bureau and by building the first charitable children's hospital in the country with the Bassoo Foundation," she said, adding that "the President is supportive of my work."

"I trust you can appreciate my position and I thank you for your understanding and support," the very simple but charismatic First Lady said.

WEDDING OF THE YEAR
Dubbed the 'wedding of the year', they were married on July 26, 1998 in a gala, high-profile Hindu ceremony attended by hundreds, including then President Janet Jagan and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

The wedding ceremonies were held at the bride's residence in Enmore, East Coast Demerara and the groom's home town residence a few miles away at Unity Village, also on the East Coast.

Mr. Jagdeo was then the up-and-rising Finance Minister, and the acknowledged President-in-waiting.

Just over a year later, he became Executive President of Guyana when Mrs. Jagan stepped down because of health reasons.

Public speculation about the relationship between the First Couple began to grow after they were rarely seen together in public.

A memorable moment for the couple, (a photograph of which was exclusively carried by this newspaper) was the victory hug between President Jagdeo and Varshnie at the People's Progressive Party Freedom House headquarters in Georgetown when the results of the August 2006 general elections were announced and he was re-elected with a landslide.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007