Shannon Beador and David Beador Have Separated: "This Is Not the Path That I Thought That I Would Be Taking"

Shannon Beador and David Beador have separated, The Real Housewives of Orange County mom has revealed. She confirmed the separation to PEOPLE, noting they are trying to be "amicable" during this time. 

"After much thought and careful consideration, David and I have made the difficult decision to separate," she told The Daily Dish in a statement. "We remain partners in parenthood and are committed to raising our three daughters. This is not the future we envisioned, and we kindly ask for privacy, especially for our children, during this transitional time.”

Shannon told PEOPLE, “It’s heartbreaking for me and my daughters that this is the road that had to be taken but it’s the only way. I felt alone in my marriage. You can do what you can to keep your family together, but you have to have willing parties. You need two people to make a marriage work, and that just wasn’t happening in our relationship." She added, "This is not the path that I thought that I would be taking. To come from the highest of the highs last year to go to such a low so quickly? At the beginning when it starts to crumble, you think, ‘This is just a phase. It’ll get better.’ But it never did.”

The pair has documented their ups and downs during their time on RHOC, including showing viewers how they managed to come back from David's affair, later renewing their vows in 2016. However, relations between the couple haven't been as smooth during the current season of RHOC and she has been open about the struggles they have faced as of late. They have been married for 17 years and together the couple are parents to three daughters: Adeline, Stella, and Sophie, who have also appeared on the show.

“As a mother, I want to be a good role model for my daughters,” Shannon explained to PEOPLE. “Three years ago I was proud of what I showed them, because I fought for keeping my family together after infidelity. As the last year went by, it’s been extremely difficult and painful to watch the show, because clearly I was in denial about what was going on in my marriage. I was taking things out on other people instead of at home … As a mother you keep thinking about your daughters and you have to say, ‘This is an unhealthy environment.’ Not only is it unhealthy for me, but it’s unhealthy for my girls, too. They deserve a happy and joyful home, and I am providing that for them now.”

When Shannon recently spoke to The Daily Dish earlier this month, she offered some insight into her life these days. "From this season, I've learned that I need to focus on myself for happiness and for self-fulfillment, and I can be positive and I can be happy whether David is disconnected [from] me or not," Shannon said. "I'm focusing on myself because the happiness comes from me."

The Daily Dish podcast hosts, Megan Segura and Rachael Roberts, reacted to the news on a special bonus episode. Listen below:

Click through for throwback photos of Shannon, below.