Arcade Fire’s Win Butler and Régine Chassagne announce separation after 22 years of marriage
Win Butler and Régine Chassagne have announced their plans to separate after 22 years of marriage.
The couple had co-founded the band in the early 2000s alongside original member Josh Due. However, despite going their separate ways as a married couple, a message from the group has explained that Arcade Fire will continue.
A statement read: “After a long and loving marriage, Win & Régine have decided to separate”.
The statement given by the group, Butler and Chassagne, explained that they will continue to work together as creative partners for the foreseeable future, saying, “They continue to love, admire and support each other as they co-parent their son. Their work in Haiti with KANPE continues and their bond as creative soulmates will endure, as will Arcade Fire.”
Adding, “The band send their love and look forward to seeing you all on tour soon”.
Butler and Chassagne were married in 2003 in the months leading up to the release of their debut album, Funeral. The couple also became parents midway through their career together, welcoming their first child during the album cycle for Reflektor in 2013.
Of course, the band had also faced controversy in 2022 when Butler was accused of sexual misconduct. As the group were touring for their record WE, multiple women had come forward about how they were treated by the frontman, with one victim noting that he was “emotionally abusive, manipulative, toxic, and using his power dynamic to exploit my body at times that were convenient for him.”
While Butler did release a statement in response to the allegations, he maintained that all of the interactions he had with any of the accused were consensual, saying, “I started drinking as I dealt with the heaviest depression of my life after our family experienced a miscarriage. None of this is intended to excuse my behaviour, but I do want to give some context and share what was happening in my life around this time.”
Despite the massive controversy, Chassagne released a follow-up statement at the time in support of her husband, saying, “I know what is in his heart, and I know he has never, and would never, touch a woman without her consent and I am certain he never did. He has lost his way and he has found his way back. I love him and love the life we have created together.”
Though the band had continued to make music with 2025’s Pink Elephant, there had been no word on anything new since they stopped their tour in May. As of yet, there has been no word on any future plans that the band have made.
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