Balthazar Getty leaves wife

Balthazar Getty has left his wife

Balthazar Getty has confirmed he has split from his wife of eight years.

The oil heir - who has four children with Rosetta - released a statement yesterday (21.07.08) explaining the decision to end the relationship after photographs of him kissing Sienna Miller emerged earlier this month.

He said: "The breakdown of a marriage is a very difficult and painful experience especially when children are involved. In light of the fact that many pictures have surfaced in print and on the internet which has caused myself and my family great embarrassment, I felt it necessary to at least acknowledge publicly that yes indeed my wife and I have separated and I will not be commenting any further."

However, the news came as a shock to Rosetta, who recently discovered the 33-year-old actor started spending time with Sienna, 26, before they had decided to separate.

A source told gossip website perezhilton.com: "Balthazar was 100 per cent not separated from her when he started dating Sienna. Rosetta is heartbroken. She has an eight-month-old baby and three other kids with Balthazar."

Sienna has yet to comment on the relationship.