Ethan and Olivia Plath of 'Welcome to Plathville' Confirm End of Relationship: 'It Simply Wasn't Meant to Be'

Ethan Plath and Olivia Plath have ended their marriage after five years together. In an Instagram statement on Friday, October 27, Olivia, 25, expressed that she and Ethan have decided to pursue separate paths. Reflecting on their relationship, Olivia acknowledged that their youthful aspirations of forever have evolved as they've grown into different individuals, discovering their own identities and envisioning distinct futures.

Olivia acknowledged that after being in a relationship for seven years, she embarked on a transformative journey of reflection, evaluation, and reinvention. This process ultimately guided her towards the difficult choice to terminate their marriage.

"While we shared beautiful moments together, I wish to cherish and respect those memories," she expressed. "We initially fell in love during our youth and are now parting ways as grown individuals. Through wisdom, maturity, and courage, we will overcome this. We will be fine."

Olivia expressed her gratitude to Ethan, who is 25 years old, for the enjoyable moments they shared. She added that she wishes him well.

On Friday, Ethan shared his perspective on their separation in a statement posted on his Instagram. He acknowledged that their relationship simply did not succeed, despite both individuals putting forth their best efforts.

Olivia Plath and Ethan Plath Courtesy of Ethan Plath/Instagram

"It felt like we were constantly pulling each other in opposite directions, each with our own goals in life," he expressed. "I genuinely wish Olivia all the best in her future endeavors. My care and affection for her run deep, and always will."

The news of their split has emerged after almost five months of swirling rumors suggesting their separation. Observant fans in early 2023 noticed the absence of social media photos featuring Ethan and Olivia together for several months. Speculation reached its peak when Olivia's sister, Sophia Meggs, claimed in June that the couple was in the midst of a divorce. However, Olivia promptly refuted these allegations at the time.

In a message shared on Instagram, Olivia clarified that Sophia is her younger sister but they have a distant relationship due to their differing beliefs and reactions to their ultra-religious upbringing. Olivia mentioned that Sophia is not a reliable source of information about her personal life as she is unaware of it. Olivia acknowledged the speculation surrounding her and Ethan but stated that if they had something to share, they would do so.

Ethan, the eldest son of Kim and Barry Plath from "Welcome to Plathville," married Olivia in October 2018. Their wedding led to a dispute with Kim regarding the planning process.

During our dating period, I was aware of the control exerted over what we could do and say," Olivia revealed exclusively to We in August 2021. "The moment it truly dawned on me was the night of our engagement. As we entered, Kim awaited us, took hold of my hand, and fixated on the ring. Her first words were, 'I want to swap rings with you.' I found it quite odd."

Following their wedding day, they faced ongoing challenges and successes.

Olivia revealed at the time that hitting rock bottom was necessary for them to realize the importance of addressing their individual problems. They sought couples therapy to navigate through their issues and heal from their childhood traumas. Starting the season, everything seemed to be going wrong and tensions reached a breaking point. Although the initial episodes and scenes may be uncomfortable, it ultimately leads to significant improvement. They have now reached a much happier state. The couple eventually separated later that year, which viewers saw unfold on season 3 of Welcome to Plathville.

"It's partly my fault for not seeing him frequently and not feeling valued because of his reluctance to make any changes or start something new. So, whenever he comes home, my immediate reaction is that we need to have a serious conversation because things aren't going well. It makes me feel like I'm constantly nagging him," she expressed during a therapy session they attended together in September 2021. "To avoid that, he quickly grabs a beer, goes outside, and focuses on working on his car just to avoid being around me because all I want to do is discuss those issues and he doesn't want to."

In subsequent episodes, fans witnessed Ethan making the decision to put their jointly-owned house in Cairo, Georgia up for sale, which happened to be located near his family's compound.

"I have reached a point in my life where I recognize that leaving Cairo will be beneficial for me," Ethan disclosed in the episode. "After the trip, I have a newfound desire to move forward and explore other places. There are so many breathtaking locations out there, and if given the opportunity, I would love to experience living in different places. In the past, I was adamant about staying in Cairo, but now my plans have changed. Regardless of what happens between Olivia and me, I no longer intend to stay in Cairo."

On the Tuesday, October 24, episode of Welcome to Plathville, Olivia even expressed some "regrets" about her marriage but was unsure if being single would be a better option for her. "Ethan is the only person I have ever been in a relationship with, so I have nothing to compare it to," she admitted in a confessional. "As I question and redefine the beliefs about marriage that I was raised with, I find myself feeling confused about what I should expect from a relationship."