According to research published by Psychology Today, around 10% to 15% of couples reconcile after legally separating. A further 6% go a step further and marry each other for a second time.

The success rate for these second marriages is surprisingly high, with only 30% ending in a second divorce.

Other statistics published in the Guardian reveal that 1 in 10 people who go through divorce admit that they regret it at some point. In the same article, the newspaper covers the story of real-life couple Karen and Louis Beardsworth. They divorced in 2015 after a 20 year marriage, had 5 years apart and then – after some solo and couples therapy – married each other again in 2020.

Louis explained what was different the second time around:

“After time apart, it felt as if we were marrying more as the people we actually are, rather than the people we thought we should be,”

And in the opinion of Relate relationships therapist Ammanda Major, this isn’t an uncommon experience – where the weight of expectation on a marriage causes it to crack. She says:

“We get married because, mostly, it feels like the right thing to do, whether that’s due to romantic, cultural, idealised thinking or just seeking evidence of that attachment that so many of us seek,”

Majors continues:

“People quite often have regrets about separation or experience a sense of failure, shame, sadness, a lot of ‘if only’,”  

“We can regret a situation even though we knew it was the right one. The challenge is sorting through these complex emotions and questions to understand whether to close a door or attempt to ease it open once more.”

Celebrities set the trend for divorce regret and reconciliation

Reconciliation after separation is of course nothing new. One of the most famous pair for this were the Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who married and divorced twice during their tumultuous relationship.

There are more recent celebrity examples too, including tech mogul Elon Musk and British actor Tallulah Riley marrying twice. And golf star Rory McIlroy reportedly backtracked on divorcing his wife of seven years, Erica Stoll, even after divorce papers were served.

One of the most high profile cases to date is the reconciliation and separation of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck (dubbed ‘Bennifer’ by the press). After 20 years apart, during which they were married to other people, the A-list couple finally married in 2022. Unfortunately, they separated again in 2024, and divorce proceedings are ongoing at the time of writing.

Need expert help with divorce and separation? For legal advice you can trust, get in touch with Liverpool divorce solicitor Tracey Miller Family Law.

Call 0151 515 3036 or email info@traceymillerfamilylaw.com to arrange your free initial consultation – with no obligation and no time limit.