Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg, partners from the late 1960s to the late 1970s, separated due to a complex interplay of factors rooted in their personal lives and external influences. Their split reflects deep-seated challenges beyond mere public speculation.

Primary Causes of the Separation

• Substance Abuse: Mutual dependency on heroin and other drugs fueled escalating health crises and erratic behavior, eroding trust and stability over time.
• Infidelity and Trust Breakdown: Documented instances of affairs on both sides created irreparable rifts, with Anita's alleged involvement with other band members adding to Keith's disillusionment.
• Violent Conflicts: Frequent arguments, some escalating to physical altercations, exemplified the volatile nature of their dynamic during turbulent episodes.
• Family Strains: The welfare of their children, Marlon and Angela, suffered amid neglect and instability, as Keith struggled with fatherhood duties during tours and addiction cycles.

Overall, these factors converged by the late 1970s, culminating in a formal separation that underscored the unsustainable pressures of fame and personal demons.