Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony Split

"We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters," the couple said.

ByABC News
July 15, 2011, 6:57 PM

July 15, 2011— -- Singers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are ending their seven year marriage.

"This was a very difficult decision," the couple said in a joint statement. "We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters. It is a painful time for all involved and we appreciate the respect of our privacy at this time

Lopez and Anthony married in June 2004 and have two children -- twins Max and Emme.

Lopez's marriage to Anthony was her third. It was the second marriage for Anthony.

What Caused the Split?

Ian Drew, senior music editor of Us Weekly, said the couple's breakup wasn't a surprise.

"This has been sort of bubbling for a while. They've been in and out of counseling. You just basically have two very tempered, very in-control people. It just doesn't work," Drew said. "You usually need one person to be more aggressive and one person to be more passive.

"Both of them are very controlling," Drew said. "You can't control a controlling person. It didn't work with Diddy for the same reason. You just can't control Jennifer Lopez."

Lopez's role on "American Idol" and the success of her new album likely had something to do with the breakup, he said. Lopez joined "American Idol" this past season as a judge and released her latest album, "Love?" in May.

"Suddenly, he wasn't the one in control," Drew said. "For a while, they were on an even career path, but then she started becoming the more successful one. When they first got together, she was in a career low."