Berry Separates From Husband

Actress Halle Berry announced Wednesday she has separated from her husband, R&B singer Eric Benet, after less than three years of marriage.

"Eric and I have had marital problems for some time now and have tried to work things out together," Berry said in a written statement. "However, at this point, I feel we need time apart to reevaluate our union. We ask that you respect our privacy as we are going through this emotional time."

Benet's representatives did not immediately return a call for comment Wednesday.

Tabloids have speculated about instability in their relationship and Benet's faithfulness from nearly the moment the "X-Men" star married Benet in January 2001.

Berry and Benet met in 1999 at a party to celebrate the premiere of Berry's HBO movie "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," about the first black woman nominated for a best-actress Oscar with 1954's "Carmen Jones."

Berry won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for the Dandridge role. Ironically, Berry became the first black woman to win a best-actress Oscar for her work in 2001's "Monster's Ball."

This is the second marriage for the actress, who divorced Cleveland Indians outfielder David Justice in 1996. Benet has a young daughter, India, from a previous relationship with a girlfriend who was killed in car crash 15 months after the girl was born.

His first album, "True to Myself," was released in 1996. He has had such hits as "Spend My Life With You" and "Love Don't Love Me.