Updated

The Rev. Al Sharpton (search) and his wife, Kathy Jordan Sharpton (search), have announced their separation after 23 years of marriage. The Sharptons said in a statement Friday that they "will remain on the best of terms."

The pair "have extremely active careers and their separation allows them to continue pursuing their work interests," the statement said. "They will continue to work together in their civil rights work and in their other business ventures, including those in the entertainment industry."

"Together they have successfully raised two daughters, one of whom started college this year, and the other of whom will be graduating high school in June," the statement said.