The estranged wife of METALLICA frontman James Hetfield’s says she is “extremely saddened” by the end of their marriage

TMZ first reported the couple had split after two decades of marriage back on August 13.

Sources close to them reportedly revealed to the site that James filed for divorce from Francesca Hetfield in their home state of Colorado earlier this year.

On August 16, Francesca released the following statement to TMZ: “After 30 years of ups and downs but always with a lot of love, I am extremely saddened that my marriage has come to this.”

James Hetfield initially met Francesca back in 1992 and the pair have been married since 1997. The two continue to co-parent their daughters Cali, 20, and Marcella, 16, as well as son Castor, 18.

James has been open about his struggles with addiction and low self-esteem in the past, recently describing the transformation he had to undergo in order to front METALLICA during the touring cycle for the band’s 1991 self-titled album, also known as “The Black Album“.