Uncoupling in the third age – the importance of the existential context for late-life divorce

Abstract Late-life divorce is increasingly common in many Western countries, however, studies on this transition remain scarce. The purpose of article to study attributed reasons for late-life divorce, and if any life phase-typical aspects can be identified these attributions. Qualitative interviews were carried out with Swedish men women aged 62–82, who after the age 60 had divorced from a cross-gender marital or non-marital co-habiting union (N = 37). results, analysed using principles Grounded Theory, revealed four different types narratives: (a) incompatible goals third age, (b) personality change caused by age-related disease, (c) last chance romance, (d) enough inequality abuse. A central insight an original contribution generated was importance grey divorcees existential conditions later their decisions. results are discussed relation theories late modern intimacy age.