The Key Reasons for Divorce in Long-Term Marriages
While every couple’s story is unique, there are common themes that surface in conversations about divorce over 50. These are not sudden fractures but slow drifts that, over time, create an unbridgeable distance. Understanding them can provide a sense of validation and clarity as you process your own experience.
Growing Apart: The ‘Empty Nest’ Transition
For decades, the daily rhythm of life was dictated by the needs of children. School runs, sports practices, homework help, and family dinners provided a shared project and a constant source of connection. When the last child leaves home, the quiet can be deafening. The “empty nest” often exposes a relationship that was running on the fuel of parenting. Without that shared purpose, some couples look at each other and realize they’ve become great co-parents but have forgotten how to be partners and friends. They are strangers living in the same house, with little common ground beyond their shared history.
A practical next step: If you are feeling this distance, try suggesting a low-pressure, shared activity that has nothing to do with family logistics. A simple, “I was thinking it might be nice to take that cooking class we talked about years ago, just the two of us. What do you think?” can be a gentle way to test the waters of reconnection.
Mismatched Personal Growth and Changing Values
The person you are at 55 is rarely the same person you were at 25. Over the years, you’ve had experiences that shaped your beliefs, priorities, and passions. Sometimes, partners grow in the same direction. Other times, they grow in opposite directions. One partner might discover a passion for travel and adventure in retirement, while the other craves the comfort of home and routine. One may have a spiritual awakening, while the other becomes more secular. This isn’t about one person being “right” and the other “wrong.” It’s about a fundamental divergence in what you each want out of your remaining years. This is sometimes called a lack of “values fit,” where your core principles about how to live are no longer aligned.
A practical next step: Have an honest conversation about your individual dreams for the next 10 years. Use “I” statements to avoid blame. For example: “Lately, I’ve been dreaming about spending more time volunteering. It feels really important to me. I’m curious to hear what you’ve been thinking about for your future.”
Financial Disagreements and Retirement Realities
Money is a frequent source of stress in any marriage, but it takes on a new weight as retirement approaches. One partner might be a saver, anxious about outliving their nest egg, while the other is a spender, eager to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Disagreements over how to invest, when to retire, or whether to downsize the family home can reveal deep-seated differences in risk tolerance and life philosophy. These aren’t just arguments about dollars and cents; they are arguments about security, freedom, and trust. A major financial decision can become the final straw in a relationship already strained by other issues.
A practical next step: If possible, schedule a meeting with a neutral third-party, like a fee-only financial planner. Having an expert facilitate the conversation can lower the emotional temperature and help you both look at the numbers objectively, separate from the relationship dynamics.
Issues of Intimacy and Connection
Intimacy is far more than just sex. It’s emotional closeness, shared vulnerability, affection, and feeling truly understood by your partner. In many long-term marriages, physical and emotional intimacy can wane. This can be due to health issues, unresolved resentments, or simply falling into comfortable but passionless routines. One or both partners may feel more like roommates than lovers. The longing for affection, for a deep conversation, or for the feeling of being desired can become a powerful motivator to seek a different kind of connection elsewhere, or to choose solitude over loneliness within a partnership.
A practical next step: Try to initiate a non-sexual form of physical touch, like holding hands while watching TV or giving a longer-than-usual hug before leaving the house. This can begin to rebuild a foundation of affection without the pressure of performance. For more on navigating intimacy, a certified sex therapist or couples counselor can provide invaluable guidance.
The Desire for a ‘Third Act’ of Happiness
Many people entering their 50s and 60s feel a sense of urgency. They see the finite nature of time and feel a powerful pull to make the most of what’s left. This can lead to a period of profound self-reflection. They ask themselves: “Am I truly happy? Is this the life I want to live for the next 20 years?” If the answer is no, the prospect of a “third act”—a final, vibrant chapter of life defined by personal joy and authenticity—can be a compelling reason to make a major change. It’s a conscious choice to pursue happiness, even if it means dismantling the life they’ve known.
A practical next step: Spend some time journaling or reflecting on what an ideal day would look like for you, five years from now. Don’t censor yourself. What activities fill your time? Who are you with? What feelings come up? This exercise can help clarify what you’re truly longing for.
