Julia & Danny visit ‘marriage retreat’

THEIR MARRIAGE HAS BEEN

the subject of persistent speculation, and now it seems Julia Roberts and her husband Danny Moder could be preparing to finally call it quits. The cinematographer was noticeably absent from his wife’s side when she walked the recent GLSEN Respect Awards red carpet, and friends claim they are living increasingly separate lives. Last May, eyebrows were raised when Danny failed to join Julia at the memorial service for her late mother, Betty Lou.

In March, Grazia reported that Julia had taken the unusual step of buying a small property across the road from her $20m Malibu estate for Danny to live in as they trialled a ‘silent separation’. The pair later sold their home in Hawaii for $19.5 million, with insiders suggesting that they may be dividing their assets ahead of a divorce.

According to one insider, ‘Julia and Danny have split several times in recent years, but always get back together for the sake of their kids [twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, 11, and Henry, nine]. As a last-ditch attempt to make things work, they’re planning to attend a week-long retreat in Sonoma County run by Dr John Grey, who’s helped friends of theirs with marriage problems. The course includes intensive therapy to resolve lingering issues, and exercises to continue practising at home. If it isn’t successful, they’ve both agreed that it’s time to draw a line under their marriage.’

Julia met Danny on the set of The Mexican in 2000, while she was still dating actor Benjamin Bratt and he was married to make-up artist Vera Steimberg. Danny filed for divorce a year later, and he and Julia married at her New Mexico ranch in 2002.