It has been reported that Metallica frontman James Hetfield and his wife of 25 years, Francesca, have intentions on getting divorced and, speaking to TMZ, Francesca lamented that the relationship had “come to this.”

TMZ originally alleged that a “source close to the former couple” informed them that James had filed divorce papers in Colorado earlier this year, though TMZ was unable to confirm having seen a copy of these legal documents themselves.

In an update, the outlet ran a statement provided by Francesca, who did not outright mention the word “divorce,” but instead appeared to indicate some sort of finality to the relationship was coming. “After 30 years of ups and downs but always with a lot of love, I am extremely saddened that my marriage has come to this,” she said on Aug. 16, one day prior to the couple’s wedding anniversary date.

 

The two married on Aug. 17, 1997 and have three children together — Castor, Cali and Marcella.

No other details are available at this time. Loudwire wishes James and Francesca well on navigating this next part of their lives.

Metallica, meanwhile, have received an extra surge in popularity thanks to the viral inclusion of “Master of Puppets” in a crucial scene in the finale to the fourth season of the Stranger Things TV show. Most recently, the song hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top TV Charts. Three other songs that appeared in the show rounded out the rest of the top four as well.

Metallica frontman James Hetfield set to divorce wife after 25 years of marriage

James Hetfield is said to have filed for divorce from his wife of 25-years Francesca earlier this year. The Metallica frontman has previously credited his partner with helping him get his anger issues under control

Metallica frontman James Hetfield and wife Francesca are heading for a divorce, it’s been reported.

The rocker and his wife have been married for 25 years and share three children together, but their union is apparently all over and the former couple are allegedly in the process of quietly divorcing.

James and Francesca first met in 1992 – going on to tie the knot in 1997 – and became doting parents to daughters Cali, 24, Marcella, 20, and son Castor, 22, following their wedding in the late 90s.

The Master of Puppets singer, 59, is said to have actually filed for divorce from his long-term wife earlier this year, but the alleged split has only just become public knowledge.

American publication TMZ reports that James filed for divorce from his wife of almost-three decades in Colorado earlier this year, but the former couple are keen to keep their split low-key

The Metallica frontman previously praised his wife for helping him get his anger issues under control ( 
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Getty Images for NARAS)
Despite going their separate ways, a source claims James and Francesca are splitting on good terms, and are “still in touch” with each other due to sharing their three children together.

The Mirror has approached a representative for James for comment on this story.

Prior to their split, James and Francesca resided together in Vail, Colorado – with the rocker previously citing a “multitude of reasons” for moving there, including it being his wife’s childhood hometown and the quiet nature of the area.

The singer also revealed he relocated from Northern California due to growing tired of the negative reaction he received from locals who didn’t agree with his political views and lifestyle choices.

James and Francesca with their then-young children in 2012 ( 
Image:
FilmMagic)
“I kind of got sick of the Bay Area, the attitudes of the people there, a little bit,” he previously told podcast host Joe Rogan.

“They talk about how diverse they are, and things like that, and it’s fine if you’re diverse like them. But showing up with a deer on the bumper doesn’t fly in Marin County.”

Over the years, James has also credited his wife with helping him mature and deal with his anger issues – explaining how after they met, his destructive tendencies often caused embarrassment for both of them.

James has spoken about his wife’s positive influence in interviews over the years ( 
Image:
WireImage for The Recording Academy)

The rocker previously admitted he and Francesca had got through some tough times ( 
Image:
FilmMagic)
DON’T MISS“My wife has been the most amazing person in my life,” he admitted to the Marin Independent Journal in 2009.

“She has ridden the big waves with me. We have gone through some extremely difficult things and come out stronger. She’s stuck with me through all the hell.

“When I met her, I knew she was brought to me to help me get out of this hell hole. And she did.”

In another past interview, James revealed his wife – who often joined him on tour with Metallica – once threatened to take their kids out of the family home if he couldn’t get his anger issues in order.