Unfortunately, Kate Winslet is the latest casualty in the speculated “Oscar Curse”. Since the turn of the century, the pattern has gone… win a Best Actress Oscar, separate from your significant other. Winslet won a Best Actress statuette for her role in “The Reader” at the 81st Academy Awards and in just a little over a year later, she announces her separation from her Oscar winning husband. The two have decided to end their marriage of almost seven years. Here’s the official statement from British law firm, Schillings:

“Kate and Sam are saddened to announce that they separated earlier this year… The split is entirely amicable and is by mutual agreement. Both parties are fully committed to the future joint parenting of their children.”

The two are very well respected in Hollywood and have collaborated professionally together- Mendes directed Winslet in her Golden Globe-winning performance in 2008’s “Revolutionary Road”. Hollywood’s golden couple have a six-year-old son (Joe Alfie Winslet Mendes) together, while Winslet also has a nine-year-old daughter (Mia Honey) with ex-husband, Jim Threapleton.

Here’s a quick rundown of the love lives of the past decades “Best Actress” winners:

Julia Roberts: Erin Brockovich, 2000
Though technically not married, the “Pretty Woman” was in a long-term relationship with Benjamin Bratt prior to her winning her Oscar. Just three short months later, the two ended their relationship.

Halle Berry: Monster’s Ball, 2001
Halle Berry and her crooner husband had been dating for years and officially tied the knot in 2001. With reports of infidelity and a sex addiction on Eric Benet’s half, the two separated in 2003 and divorced in 2005.

Nicole Kidman: The Hours, 2002
Luckily for the porcelain beauty, her marriage with Tom Cruise dissolved two years prior to her big Oscar win. Even luckier, she didn’t meet her future husband Keith Urban a few years later. Til this date, the two are happily married and raising their family in Nashville.

Charlize Theron: Monster, 2003
Charlize and her long-term boyfriend, Stuart Townsend were best friends and lovers but never got married. They didn’t walk down the aisle for their lack of love, but rather their commitment to gay marriage equality. They vowed not to marry until same-sex couples were given the same rights. Sadly, the two split up earlier this year in January.

Hilary Swank: Million Dollar Baby, 2004
Proving the curse is relatively a new thing, Swank didn’t break up with her husband til she won her second Oscar. When Swank won her first one, she infamously forgot to thank her husband, Chad Lowe. Still, the two remained one of Hollywood’s happiest couple- well, until she won again. At that point, the two had just passed their 13-year mark together. In less than a year after her “Million Dollar Baby” win, the two divorced. Rumors swirled that Lowe couldn’t handle the success of his wife.

Reese Witherspoon: Walk The Line, 2005
“The Legally Blonde” star, was also a victim of achieving greater success than her husband. The two met at Reese’s 21st birthday and married less than a year later. With a seemingly perfect domestic life, the too-cute-for-words couple had two even more adorable children. Less than eight months after giving her acceptance speech at the Kodak Theater, the two ended their relationship. Ryan’s supposed affair with Abbie Cornish also didn’t help.

Helen Mirren: The Queen, 2006
Maybe women of a certain age are immune to the curse. Dame Helen is still happily married to her husband Taylor Hackford. The two have been married since 1997.

Marion Cotillard: La Vie en Rose, 2007
Maybe women who are French are also immune to the curse. Parisian beauty, Cotillard is still involved with her domestic partner, actor/director Guillaume Canet. They have been involved since 2007. Her win is still relatively fresh, so you never know.

Kate Winslet: The Reader, 2008
The latest victim to the speculated “Oscar Curse”. Winslet seemed to have the perfect marriage with her equally successful and creative Hollywood power-player husband. Their announced separation has made big waves and shocked most of Hollywood.

Sandra Bullock: The Blind Side, 2009
The latest recipient of loving from The Academy, Sandy surprisingly finally won an Oscar for a rare dramatic turn. Bullock seems to have a solid marriage with her hubby, Jesse James. Hopefully, since Bullock won her statue in 2010, the curse will end with the turn of the decade. I love Sandra and her marriage with Jesse. The odd-couple on paper, are a perfect match in reality. March 17 UPDATE: Rumors of infidelity from Bullock’s husband, Jesse James, have surfaced. Click here for more details. Is Sandra the latest victim of the curse?

So there you have it. Is the curse fact or fiction? You decide.

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