Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony to divorce

After seven years of marriage and a pair of 3-year-old twins, pop stars Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, whose homes include an estate in Brookville, are breaking up.

"We have decided to end our marriage," the couple said in a joint statement. "This was a very difficult decision. We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters. It is a painful time for all involved."

Singer-actress Lopez, who turns 41 later this month, conspicuously appeared without Anthony at last Saturday's BAFTA "Brits to Watch" gala in Los Angeles, held in honor of the visiting Prince William and Kate, Us magazine reported.

The news took observers by surprise -- the couple had renewed their June 5 wedding vows just last year and in 2008. And in January, Lopez told Ellen DeGeneres how much she loved being a parent with Anthony. "As soon as I had the babies, I thought to myself, 'I want to do this a thousand more times. . . . I love this. This is life.' "

This was Lopez's third marriage and the second for Anthony, 42. Rolling Stone magazine said it was uncertain whether the two will proceed with announced plans to produce a show in which they would travel through Latin America seeking new talent.