Grey divorce[1] is the demographic trend of an increasing divorce rate for older ("grey-haired") couples in long-lasting marriages, a term typically used for people over 50. Those who divorce may be called silver splitters.[2] Divorcing late in life can cause financial difficulties.
Former American vice-presidential couple Tipper and Al Gore's decision to separate after over 40 years of marriage is an example of this trend. Another example is the former married research and writing duo Masters and Johnson. Similarly, the music duo Captain and Tennille divorced in 2014 after 39 years of marriage.[3] A more recent example of grey divorce is the divorce of the world's fourth-richest man, Bill Gates, and his wife Melinda French Gates, who were married for 27 years, in May 2021.