Stewart Butterfield, the billionaire co-founder of Slack and Flickr, and Jen Rubio, co-founder of the luggage company Away, have announced their separation after six years of marriage. The announcement came via a joint statement posted on Rubio's Instagram, in which they stated their decision was made with "deep love and respect for one another."

Despite the amicable public statement, sources close to the couple have suggested that differing priorities and Rubio's increasing focus on public attention played a role in the split. Insiders speaking to the Daily Mail indicated that Butterfield grew weary of his wife's perceived "need for attention" and "obsession with status and privilege."

Rubio, who recently made her debut as a trustee at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and garnered attention for her distinctive attire at the Met Gala, was reportedly focused on elevating her public profile. One source claimed that Rubio had "made sure her name was out there as much as possible before the breakup so it was all about her."

IMAGE1

The couple's philanthropic efforts, including a significant donation from the Rubio Butterfield Foundation to the Met's internship program and a pledge for a new modern art wing, are expected to continue. Their joint statement emphasized their commitment to their children and their shared business interests, stating, "Though we will no longer be married, we are still a family and what matters most to us remains the same."

Rubio, 39, was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States at age seven. Butterfield, 53, is Canadian and is embarking on his second marriage, having previously been married to Flickr co-founder Caterina Fake from 2001 to 2007.

The couple share two young children. They had showcased a lavish lifestyle on social media, including a substantial property portfolio across multiple states, reportedly purchasing five homes in 2021 and 2022.

IMAGE2

Rubio's appearance at the Met Gala in a custom dress featuring a corset-style bodice with hand-sculpted monkeys drew considerable attention. She later shared that the unique outfit, which took 400 hours to create, was a last-minute choice after her original attire fell through.

While a representative for Butterfield denied that Rubio's alleged obsession with status was the reason for the divorce, Rubio's representative did not respond to requests for comment. The couple, who married in 2020, are navigating their separation while co-parenting their children and continuing their shared ventures.IMAGE3IMAGE4IMAGE5IMAGE6IMAGE7IMAGE8