Britney Spears is hoping to come out stronger from her breakup with husband Sam Asghari.
In fact, a source familiar with the situation told NBC News, "They're separated and it's best for Britney."
E! News reached out to Britney and Sam's reps for comment on the split but hasn't heard back.
The pop star and the fitness trainer's breakup puts an end to their seven-year love story, which began when the pair first met on the set of her 2016 music video, "Slumber Party."
"I kept his number, and it was so weird because it was like five months later that I found his number in my bag," Britney told CBS radio station AMP 103.7 in January 2017. "I was like 'He was really cute. This guy was really cute!' so then I called him. He is just a really fun, funny person."
In the following years, Sam stood by Britney's side as she navigated legal battles related to her conservatorship, with a source telling E! News in June 2021 that the Black Monday actor had been her "rock throughout this entire ordeal since she decided to speak up."
The source added at the time, "She is eternally thankful to have him in her corner."
The pair got engaged in September 2021, with Britney posting alongside her four-carat diamond ring, "I can't f--king believe it." Two months later, Britney's conservatorship was terminated after 13 years.
Britney—who shares sons Sean, 17, and Jayden, 16, with ex Kevin Federline—tied the knot with Sam in June 2022 in a lavish wedding ceremony in Southern California. Sam gave details on the intimate wedding, telling Good Morning America that only 50 to 70 guests attended.
"It's just surreal, man," he said. "It was way overdue for us, and we imagined this thing being a fairy tale, and it was."
Despite rumors earlier this year that the pair had called it quits, Sam's rep told E! News in March that Britney and Sam were not having trouble in their marriage.
In June, Sam even marked their one-year wedding anniversary with a nostalgic tribute.
"Happy 1 Year," he captioned throwback wedding footage, "to me & my better half."
Keep reading to take a look through Sam and Britney's romance.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Britney Spears met Sam Asghari on the set of her super sexy "Slumber Party" music video, which dropped in November 2016. Onscreen chemistry? Check! About five months after filming, they began dating, making joint appearances at places like NBA games and on social media.
Britney wished her fans a very Merry Christmas from her cozy spot in bed next to Sam.
The lovebirds rang in 2017 by each other's side, and Brit-Brit couldn't help but share this adorable snapshot in celebration of New Year's Eve.
Britney and Sam are huge fans of Snapchat, especially the puppy dog filter!
In March 2017, the couple supported Sam's sister as she walked in a show at Los Angeles Fashion Week.
Sunny Malibu has never looked better thanks to these two!
Britney celebrated her main man's birthday with a picturesque hike.
The personal trainer supported Britney backstage at one of her Las Vegas shows in March 2017.
The pair got close for a photo opp ahead of Britney's Sin City performance.
In June 2017, Sam surprised Britney by flying to Japan for some sightseeing between concerts.
Sam tagged along with Britney and her two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James Federline, as they enjoyed a day at Disneyland.
"So in love with this puppy @samasghari," Britney captioned the photo.
The lovebirds stepped out for a good cause at the 2018 GLAAD Media Awards.
"Having the best time with my other half," Britney wrote alongside this photo of the pair in June 2018.
Britney and Sam made a rare public appearance at the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood premiere.
"Felt like a little trip to paradise for an early birthday celebration," Britney captioned a photo of the duo flying to Hawaii amid the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2020.
Following the February 2021 release of "Framing Britney Spears," Sam released a personal statement: "I have always wanted nothing but the best for my better half, and will continue to support her following her dreams and creating the future she wants and deserves. I am thankful for all of the love and support she is receiving from her fans all over the world, and I am looking forward to a normal, amazing future together."
In February 2021, a source close to the pop star offered rare insight into their shared private life.
"Sam is very good to Britney and she's crazy about him," the insider told E! News. "She loves when they get to travel together and take a romantic vacation... They work out together and both are very into staying fit and taking care of their bodies. They love watching movies together and hanging out at home. But Britney also loves going out to dinner, especially for sushi."
The lovebirds get attended Asghari's best friend's wedding in April 2021. Due to what a source described as "restrictions" involving the pandemic and her dad, Jamie Spears, an insider told E! News she "finally had an opportunity to get out and she took it."
Ahead of his girlfriend's bombshell court testimony in June 2021, Sam shared his support for the social media movement calling for an end to her years-long conservatorship.
During the June 23 conservatorship hearing, Britney testified to wanting what she described as the "real deal," marriage and a baby. According to the singer, the conservatorship prevents her from creating the future she wants.
She told the judge, "I deserve to have the same rights as anybody does by having a child, a family, any of those things."
As Britney continued to make positive strides in her conservatorship battle, a source close to Sam indicated a proposal was just over the horizon.
"Engagement has always been in the cards for Sam and Britney, without question," the insider shared with E! News in September. "It's the direction their relationship has been heading for nearly two years now. It's always a discussion and it's not a question of if, it's when."
The source explained further, "Things are evidently becoming better for Britney with her conservatorship and she's never felt this liberated in all aspects of her life. The closer she gets to freedom, the closer she is to seeing all of her dreams become an actual reality. Marrying Sam is high on that list and loving him the way she wants, how she wants, on her own terms."
On Sept. 12, 2021, the music superstar announced her engagement. In a video shared to Instagram, Brit showed off her bling as Sam asked, "Look at that! Do you like it?" "Yes!" she told him.
"Happy Birthday to my Fiancé … I love you so much," Britney captioned a photo of the couple on a romantic getaway in March 2022. "… I want a family with you … I want it all with you !!!!"
On April 11, 2022 the Princess of Pop announced on Instagram that she and Sam had a baby on the way, writing, "I thought 'Geez … what happened to my stomach ???' My husband said 'No you're food pregnant silly !!!' So I got a pregnancy test … and uhhhhh well … I am having a baby." The following month, Sam announced with the "deepest sadness" that they'd lost their "miracle baby early in the pregnancy."
Britney and Sam tied the knot in Los Angeles on June 9, 2022.
For her husband's 29th birthday, the singer shared a tribute to him on Instagram, writing, "Happy Birthday!!! I love you so much and hope you get all your birthday wishes and more!!!"
Parting Ways
Sam filed for divorce from Britney in August 2023.
"After 6 years of love and commitment to each other my wife and I have decided to end our journey together," he wrote on Instagram Story Aug. 17. "We will hold onto the love and respect we have for each other and I wish her the best always."
Their divorce was finalized in May 2024.