Al and Tipper Gore announced to friends on Tuesday via e-mail they are separating after 40 years of marriage.

POLITICO obtained a copy of the e-mail and Kalee Kreider of the office of Al and Tipper Gore confirmed the news.

Here is an excerpt:
“This is very much a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration. We ask for respect for our privacy and that of our family, and we do not intend to comment further.”

The former Vice President, 62, and his wife, 61, have four children and just celebrated their 40th anniversary on May 19th.

The Twitter-sphere has been abuzz since the story broke and “Tipper Gore” is now a trending topic worldwide. Reactions range from shocked to snarky, and these are just a preview of what we surely can expect to hear in those the late night talk show monologues.

@funnyordie Al & Tipper Gore are calling it quits after 40 years. Expect a powerpoint movie about the inconvenient truth of divorce rates in the US.

@davidcanter Now that Tipper Gore is leaving Al Gore, will she get half the Internet?

@blujones Al and Tipper Gore are splitting up, which once again proves just how right Kermit was when he said, “it ain’t easy being green”.