Eat Pray Love author Elizabeth Gilbert announces split with husband.

In news that will sadden many Eat Pray Love fans, the book’s author Elizabeth Gilbert has split from ‘Felipe’ – the man she fell in love with at the end of the book.

Gilbert  took to Facebook to deliver the news that she and her Brazilian-born husband, José Nunes, 63, were separating.

The best-selling author told fans, “He has been my dear companion for over 12 years, and they have been wonderful years.”

“Our split is very amicable. Our reasons are very personal.”

She explained, “because I have shared details of my private life with you all so intimately over the years, I feel the need to share with you this recent change in my personal life.”

The 46-year-old asked readers to respect her privacy during this time of “transition”.

Elizabeth Gilbert tells Oprah the advice she would give her younger self.  (Post continues after video.)

She then explained she would, understandably, “be a bit absent” from social media for a while.

“I thank you for your love, and for your kindness, and for your continued blessings. Hold us in your thoughts.”

She shared Failing and Flying, a poem by Jack Gilbert, who she admires, but is not related to.

“This poem has been helping to carry me through this experience. Perhaps it will help some of you, also.”

Many of her fans posted comments of support and shock after reading the emotional post.

One woman commented:

Elizabeth Gilbert, with everything you post, you take my love and respect for you to a whole new level.. And yet again, you’ve done the same! How lovingly have you shared your life’s sensitive moment.. What else can we say but send your way some love!

The American author has written five novels, including Eat Pray Love, Big Magic and The Signature of All Things.

Eat Pray Love gained even more success when it was turned into a film starring Julia Roberts in 2010.

The memoir chronicles the journey she took across Rome, India and Bali after she split from her first husband Michael Cooper.

Listen to Liz Gilbert's chat with Mia Freedman about embracing creativity without quitting your day job: 

See Elizabeth Gilbert's full post below: