Southern Charm's J.D. Madison Reveals Why He and Wife Elizabeth Madison Separated
The Southern Charm entrepreneur shares what the future holds for the couple.
J.D. Madison had some huge news about his marriage with Elizabeth Madison to share when this season of Southern Charm began. The Charleston entrepreneur opened up to good friend Thomas Ravenel about his and Elizabeth's decision to separate. In the Season 5 premiere, J.D. said that he and Elizabeth had "been separated for a couple months now" by that time.
J.D. recently shared with The Daily Dish via email why the couple ultimately decided to separate. "Over the last few years, whether it was from lifestyle differences, demanding work hours, high levels of stress, or the demands of marriage, we had grown apart. At times, there were so many issues that it seemed impossible for us to reconcile. It seemed one of us was often hurting the other's feelings, and eventually she felt withdrawn and I felt rejected," J.D. explained. "Although we had extreme highs and lows, and we were a passionate couple, the fighting was pointless and the constant negativity was exhausting. We had grown so far apart that separation seemed our best option, and the best solution for our family. We wanted to keep our friendship intact so we could effectively co-parent the children. We were not bringing out the best in each other, so we needed time to work on who we were and figure out what we wanted moving forward."
He went on to say that "there wasn't really a 'last straw' fight or an event that led" to their separation. "For over a year, every argument ended in one of us verbalizing the desire to get out of the marriage. It wasn't healthy for either of us," J.D. said. "I loved her very much and I couldn't make her love me back."
When the Southern Charm couple separated, they didn't tell anyone about their decision for months, according to J.D. He said that he became "more social" and drank more "to avoid the heartbreak." "It didn't take long though before I realized nothing was making me happy except time with the kids. So, spending more time with the kids led to spending more time with Liz. For the past few months, we have had a lot of time together as a family," J.D., who is a parent to four children with Elizabeth, told The Daily Dish. "Liz and I live for our children, and we have both done some growing up. I've taken Liz out on a few dates, and we joke about being boyfriend-girlfriend. It is hilarious."
J.D. and Elizabeth are still separated today, but this is by no means the end of their relationship. In fact, it could signify the beginning of an entirely new chapter of their marriage, according to J.D. "We remain separated, but the good news is that we are not entertaining divorce at this time. We are taking things very slowly and looking at our relationship with new eyes," he shared. "We are going to a marriage counselor, and who knows? If we can put our pasts aside, I may court her all over again! What a roller coaster!"
Among the Charmers, J.D. said that Thomas has really been there for him during his separation, as he has been throughout their 20-year friendship. "He allows me to talk about it and doesn't judge Liz or I on our crazy relationship," J.D. said. "He focuses his advice on my happiness and urges me to see things clearly."
J.D. said that he anticipates having a hard time while watching his marriage woes play out this season of Southern Charm. "It isn't easy watching us go through that time. Liz and I were in such a rough place during filming. I now keep my focus on what I need to do in order to be the best father I can be," he shared. "I'm working on having a better life balance and working on myself."
Though J.D. said it's "still a very sensitive time" for him and Elizabeth, he said he remains hopeful about their future. "Liz and I are separated, and yet, in some ways, closer now than we ever were. We aren't back together, and we aren't completely apart. We are working on ourselves, and as weird as it sounds, what we have now is working for us! We still have a long way to go if we are going to get back together and stay together," he shared. "I know that Liz will always be in my life and that we will always be close friends and great parents. She is an inspiration and I love her dearly.”
Southern Charm fans will continue to hear more about J.D. and Elizabeth's relationship this season. Watch a preview of an all-new episode coming up on Thursday at 9/8c, below.
