Mel Gibson and his long-term partner Rosalind Ross have officially parted ways after nearly ten years together. The acclaimed actor, aged 69, and the 35-year-old screenwriter revealed in a joint statement to PEOPLE that their relationship came to an end approximately a year ago. Despite their separation, the former couple expressed their commitment to co-parenting their eight-year-old son, Lars. In their statement, they shared, “Although it’s sad to end this chapter in our lives, we are blessed with a beautiful son and will continue to be the best parents possible.”
The couple had kept their relationship relatively private, and the dissolution of their partnership occurred largely without public scrutiny. Gibson and Ross’s paths first crossed in 2014, introduced by mutual friends, leading to a swift romantic connection. They welcomed their son Lars in 2017, just days before Gibson received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director for his film Hacksaw Ridge. Reflecting on that moment, Mel expressed, “What could be more exciting than listening to the nominations being announced while holding my newborn son?”
Rosalind Ross, who holds a degree in literature from Emerson College, has established herself in the film industry as a screenwriter and director. Notably, she contributed to the TV series Matador and wrote and directed the critically acknowledged boxing drama Father Stu, which co-starred Gibson and Mark Wahlberg. She is currently developing several projects, including Black Sam and the highly anticipated Barbarian, which has been described as a “female Braveheart.” In addition to her film ventures, Ross is an accomplished equestrian, having won a gold medal at the World Equestrian Games in 2010.
Mel Gibson is a father to nine children across three different relationships. Besides Lars, he shares daughter Hannah and six sons—Christian, Edward, William, Louis, Milo, and Thomas—with ex-wife Robyn Moore. He also has a 16-year-old daughter, Lucia, with former partner Oksana Grigorieva. As both parents navigate this transition, their focus on providing a supportive environment for their son underscores their commitment to co-parenting despite the end of their romantic relationship.