Tim Burton and Monica Bellucci have ended their relationship after two years together.
The director and Italian actress announced their split in a joint statement to AFP on September 19.
“It is with much respect and deep care for each other that Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton have decided to part ways.”
The couple’s relationship began in an unexpected way. They first met briefly at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, but both were in other relationships at the time.
Burton, 67, and Bellucci, 60, reconnected 16 years later at the Lumière Festival in France. Bellucci presented Burton with a Lumière Award in 2022.
Romance rumors started when photographers spotted them walking arm-in-arm in Madrid, Spain shortly after the festival.
Going Public
The couple made their first official public appearance together at the Rome Film Festival in October 2023. Burton attended to support Bellucci at the premiere of her film Maria Callas: Lettere e Memorie.
Coverage from The Independent described Burton as appearing “so in love and happy” at the event.
Bellucci spoke about their relationship in June 2023 during an interview with Elle France.
“What I can say … I’m glad I met the man, first of all. It’s one of those encounters that rarely happens in life … I know the man, I love him and now I’m going to meet the director – another adventure begins.”
Professional Collaboration
Burton cast Bellucci as the villain Delores in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the 2024 sequel to his 1988 film. The movie became one of the year’s biggest box office successes.
The collaboration marked Bellucci’s first major Hollywood role in recent years.
Previous Relationships
Burton’s most significant previous relationship was with actress Helena Bonham Carter from 2001 to 2014. The couple never married but had two children together: son Billy in 2003 and daughter Nell in 2007.
Burton and Bonham Carter worked together on multiple films including Sweeney Todd, Dark Shadows, Alice in Wonderland, Corpse Bride, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Bonham Carter described their breakup as particularly difficult during a 2022 appearance on the podcast Therapy Works.
“I went through a very painful divorce. It was a long-lasting thing. That’s the other thing, it’s not that finite. It never ends. Even if you divorce somebody, it’s a kind of marriage if you have children with them.”
Bellucci was previously married to French actor Vincent Cassel, known for his roles in Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen. They married in 1999 and had two daughters: Deva in 2004 and Léonie in 2010.
Bellucci and Cassel divorced in 2013 after 14 years of marriage.
Both Burton and Bellucci remain focused on their respective careers and co-parenting responsibilities with their former partners.
