Giada De Laurentiis announces divorce

Celebrity chef Giada Pamela De Laurentiis is sharing personal news on her Facebook page. The Food Network star says she is splitting from fashion designer Todd Thompson, her husband of 11 years.

"After an amicable separation since July, Todd and I have decided to end our marriage," she writes.

"Although our decision to separate comes with a great deal of sadness, our focus on the future and overwhelming desire for our family's happiness has given us the strength to move forward on separate, yet always connected paths."

De Laurentiis, 44, and Thompson, who married in May 2003, have one daughter, Jade Marie, 6.

"Todd and I share a beautiful daughter and a lifetime of great memories that we both treasure more than anything. We are so thankful for our friends and family, and really appreciate the support in this time of change."

On Twitter Giada De Laurentiis says: "After an amicable separation since July, Todd and I have decided to end our marriage. Although our decision to separate comes with a great deal of sadness, our focus on the future and overwhelming desire for our family's happiness has given us the strength to move forward on separate, yet always connected paths. Todd and I share a beautiful daughter and a lifetime of great memories that we both treasure more than anything. We are so thankful for our friends and family, and really appreciate the support in this time of change."

In 2011, the star chef shared some insights into her marriage, especially when it came to her fame, in a Redbook interview.

"I think it can be hard for any man to sometimes be upstaged by his wife. So when I'm home, I work very hard to be Todd's wife and Jade's mother. I have no problem going back to those traditional roles. I try to be Giada, the young girl that he met 20 years ago and fell in love with. All men want to be treated like kings in a relationship, and I think if women don't indulge that sometimes, their men are likely to stray and look for someone who can give that to them. It's simple. It's not brain surgery."