Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock has filed for divorce to end her five-year marriage to Jesse James, she told People magazine in remarks published on its website today.
Bullock, the star of films such as Speed, also said she had adopted a son, three-and-a-half-month-old Louis Bardo Bullock, and now plans to raise him as a single mother.
"Yes, I have filed for divorce," the 45-year-old told the celebrity magazine. "I'm sad and I am scared."
It was the first time Bullock, coming off the pinnacle of her career after her first Oscar win in March for The Blind Side, had commented publicly on revelations that James had cheated on her throughout their marriage.
James, a bespoke motorcycle manufacturer and reality TV star, said last month that he took full responsibility for his actions, although he stopped short of admitting to published allegations that began with a California tattoo model who spoke of a five-week affair.
The reports surfaced just 10 days after Bullock won her first Oscar and paid emotional tributes to James throughout the awards season.
On the winner's podium at the Golden Globes in January, she had said she "never knew before what it felt like for someone to have my back".
Bullock, who left her Southern California home as the allegations about James broke in the media, said in the People interview that she had "no idea" about whether James had cheated.
"Never in a million years did I foresee something like this happening. I wish I hadn't, and it still doesn't seem real." she said.
"I did the only thing I could do, and that was to pack enough clothes to live on, get all of Louis's things, and get out of town. My main concern was for Louis."
James, 41, told the magazine that he had a "huge hole" in his heart in reaction to Bullock's decision to seek divorce and to let go of his adopted son. He recently spent 30 days in a treatment facility.
"The decision to let my wife end our marriage, and continue the adoption of Louis on her own, has been the hardest," he said.
He added: "Sandy is the love of my life, but considering the pain and devastation I have caused her, it would be selfish to not let her go."
They were married in 2005. James had three children from previous relationships.
Bullock told People she was in the midst of finalising her adoption of Louis, born in New Orleans, as a single parent.
"He's just perfect, I can't even describe him any other way," she told the magazine.
Bullock's representative told People she had filed divorce papers, but did not say where. Celebrity website TMZ.com said Bullock filed for divorce in Austin, Texas, on April 23.
She and James began the adoption process four years ago and brought Louis to their Southern California home in January but decided to keep it a secret until after the Oscars.
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