Pa. Ex-Gov. Rendell And Wife, A Judge, Separating

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and his wife of 40 years, U.S. Circuit Judge Marjorie Rendell, are telling friends that they're separating.

Rendell finished his second and final term as governor on Jan. 18. He and his wife said in an e-mail obtained by The Associated Press that it was a difficult decision but that they decided it was the right thing to do.

In the e-mail sent Monday afternoon, the Rendells described their breakup as "amicable." They asked their friends to respect their privacy and their decision.

News of the Rendells' separation was first reported by the Philadelphia Daily News.