Poppy Delevingne opens up on the ‘stigma’ of divorce and the judgement women face

Poppy Delevingne has opened up about the challenges of ending her marriage to businessman James Cook

Speaking on the Origins With Cush Jumbo podcast, Delevingne, reflected on the complex emotions she faced during the end of her marriage of nearly ten years and shared her journey toward self-rediscovery.

The 38-year-old is the sister of model and actress Cara Delevingne, and married Cook in 2014 at a star-studded ceremony at St Paul’s Church in Kensington, London. 

However, after almost a decade together, the couple decided to part ways. 

Despite their separation, Delevingne insisted that they "will always have a good relationship," with "a lot of love and respect" between them. 

She went on to explain that: "It just no longer worked for us."

Reflecting on their relationship, Delevingne said: "I met him when I was 20 years old, and 15 years is a long time. 

“I think 15 years with someone is a success, and sometimes these things just have to come to an end." 

Despite her sadness due to the breakup, she said she also felt a sense of liberation, and that "it was this sort of bubbling up of freedom... I felt sort of 20 all over again."

Now, Delevingne says she feels "fully independent," and is enjoying making her own choices. 

When chatting about the stigma surrounding divorce, she admitted that there was a societal pressure that played a role in delaying the end of her marriage. 

"I couldn’t really believe it," she said. "I think that’s why it should have probably ended earlier than it did. One of the reasons why it didn’t is because of that stigma, which is extraordinary."

The actress also expressed her disappointment at the judgement faced by divorced women, particularly those in their late thirties who have not had children. 

"It’s not easy to make that kind of a decision," she said, acknowledging the courage required to choose your own happiness over societal expectations. 

"We have one shot at life. Oh my god, I chose happiness. I chose me."

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