Divorcing adults who are 50 years and older, known as ‘Gray Divorce’
When people who are 50 years old or older decide to end their marriage, it’s often called a gray divorce. The term is a nod to the gray hair that’s common among this age group.
The term ‘gray divorce’ was first used by AARP, a group in the U.S. that looks at issues affecting those over 50. It started out being used for couples who had been together for 40+ years who were getting divorced. But now it’s used for any couple where the people are 50 or older, no matter how long they’ve been married for.
This term became popular in the 1990s and 2000s, when more and more older couples started getting divorced. This trend has continued into the 2010s and beyond. You might also hear these divorces being called ‘Silver Splitter’ or ‘Diamond Divorcees.’
Many factors can lead to a gray divorce. Some of the main ones include cheating, or the couple’s kids being old enough to handle their parents splitting up. However, there are many other reasons why people might get a gray divorce.
There are plenty of high-profile examples of gray divorces. For instance, Elon Musk and Talulah Riley, Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee, Larry King and Shawn Southwick, Clint Eastwood and Dina Ruiz, and Bruce Willis and Demi Moore all got divorced after the age of 50.
Example for using ‘Gray Divorce’ in a conversation
Hey, did you hear about Bill and Melinda Gates?
Yeah, they’re getting a gray divorce. 🤯
Related Slang Words You Might Be Interested In
| Slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sorority Squat | Group photo pose with hands on knees and butt out |
| Tween | Tweenager |
| Sleep Divorce | When a couple chooses to sleep in different beds, it's known as 'Sleep Divorce' |
| Duckface | Puckered lips facial expression |
| Revenge Body | Getting in shape after a breakup |