WWE icon Ric Flair has confirmed he and wife Wendy Barlow have ended their relationship, citing their busy schedules as the cause of their separation.

The wrestling legend broke the news in an emotional post on Instagram, explaining the ‘difficult’ breakdown of their relationship after 13 years.

WWERic Flair is universally known as one of professional wrestling’s biggest stars[/caption]

The pair wedded in 2018, the performer’s fifth marriage in a life – and career – that’s rarely stayed away from the headlines.

A 16-time world champion, Flair insisted the parting of ways had been amicable, explaining that their demanding work schedules had taken their toll.

“Wendy and I enjoyed 13 great years,” Flair wrote in the post. “As with every couple, we have experienced our ups and downs. I think it’s important for everyone to know right now that we have decided to part ways respectfully.

“I’ll never be able to thank her enough for standing by my side through my terrible health crisis in 2018. She never left my side! And for that I will always be grateful!

“We both are working on different projects at the current time and it becomes difficult with my schedule and her schedule to make this work.

“I wish her the best of luck with her projects and I know that she supports mine.”

Canadian Barlow, an All-American-ranked retired professional tennis player and coach, featured at Wimbledon in 1978.

She and her now ex-husband even crossed paths in the wrestling world when she acted as his personal valet, Fifi during a stint in WCW nearly four decades ago.

She was by Flair’s side as he was still launching himself around the wrestling ring as recently as 2022, his final career match, a tag team victory alongside Andrade against Jay Lethal and fellow veteran Jeff Jarrett.

The rigors of that match resulted in Flair suffering what he claimed to have been told was a heart attack during the match, in which he appeared to lose consciousness several times.

WWEFlair was given a WWE send-off with an epic WrestleMania match against Shawn Michaels[/caption]

Flair confirmed the news on his Instagram accountIG: RicFlairNatureBoy

That maddening affair came four years after the grappler made an astonishing recovery having been left in a serious condition in hospital. An operation to remove a piece of his bowel led to complications, including kidney failure.

Flair married his first wife, Leslie Goodman, in 1971 though they divorced 12 years later. The veteran then wedded Elizabeth Harrell, Tiffany VanDemark and Jackie Beams, divorcing the latter in 2014 before his relationship with Barlow.

The father of current WWE star Charlotte Flair, Ric had initially announced his separation from Barlow in early 2022 before the pair reconciled.

Flair himself last wrestled for WWE in 2008, losing a match to Shawn Michaels having vowed to retire should he leave Orlando, Florida unsuccessful.

That had been set to be the star’s journey into the sunset, but he was back in the ring on Hulk Hogan’s Australian tour a year later before joining up with TNA Wrestling.

It was his time with WWE and WCW for which he’s best remembered, winning the WWE title at Royal Rumble in 1992 between stints with their arch rivals.