‘Felipe’ was the character in the book that she met by the end of her travels. The man’s real name is José Nunes, a Brazilian importer, whom she later married and with whom she shared her life for 12 years.

The announcement was made on Friday, as the author felt the need to share the update given that the love story has become widely known through her memoir.

“I am separating from the man whom many of you know as "Felipe" — the man whom I fell in love with at the end of the EAT PRAY LOVE journey. He has been my dear companion for over 12 years, and they have been wonderful years,” Gilbert wrote.

(Read also: Scarlett Johansson ranked Hollywood's top-grossing actress)

Although she officially announced her separation, she declined to elaborate further preferring to keep it private.

Gilbert inspired millions of people with the story of her spiritual quest in Italy, India and Bali to find herself again. Eat, Pray, Love sold millions of copies, and was adapted into a movie starring Julia Roberts as Gilbert.

Gilbert is currently still in a transition time, and has asked everyone to respect her privacy.

“I trust that you understand how this is a story that I am living — not a story that I am telling.” (kes)

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