The awkward truth behind billionaire Stewart Butterfield's split from Away co-founder Jen Rubio after her rise to Met Gala stardom

By GREG WOODFIELD, US SENIOR REPORTER Published: 18:51, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 18:55, 12 August 2026 Just three months ago, Jen Rubio was making her debut as a trustee of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art while wearing one of the most eye-catching looks of the Met Gala. Now, the billionaire entrepreneur's marriage to Slack co-founder Stewart Butterfield has collapsed - with friends telling the Daily Mail her growing obsession with 'status' and public 'attention' played a major role.  Since marrying six years ago, the couple's flashy lifestyle has been showcased on social media while Rubio has opened up to publications eager for the kind of fodder that spotlights apparently blissful partnerships and business savvy. In May, she enjoyed quite the stir at the Met Gala after appearing in a custom dress with a striking corset-style bodice that appeared to be made of wood and featured hand-sculpted wooden monkeys perched on her bust. And that may have been part of the problem behind the couple's 'shock' announcement last Wednesday. For insiders tell the Daily Mail that Butterfield, worth an estimated $1.8 billion as co-founder of messaging system Slack and photo site Flickr, was growing weary of his second wife's 'need for attention.' As one put it: 'Jen's obsession with status and privilege was becoming too much for Stewart. He can't stand it anymore. It's all about her ego.' Barely weeks before her appearance at New York City's premier fashion event, luggage firm co-founder Rubio reached another pinnacle by being elected a trustee of the very institution that hosts it, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Businesswoman Jen Rubio was seen making her Met Gala debut as a trustee of the museum this May, where she wowed in a unique dress that featured a corset-style 'wooden' bodice with hand-carved monkeys on the bust   Rubio and billionaire businessman husband Stewart Butterfield (pictured in 2024) announced their separation last Wednesday Three months after that election, a $23 million donation from the Rubio Butterfield Foundation to the Met's internship program was excitedly announced by the museum along with an 'additional pledge' for a new wing for modern art opening in 2030. Yet now the couple, who have two young children, are moving on, although will continue with their philanthropy and shared business interests, according to a joint statement Rubio posted on Instagram. 'With deep love and respect for one another, we've made the decision to separate,' it said.  'Though we will no longer be married, we are still a family and what matters most to us remains the same.  'Our children will always come first, and we are committed to raising them in a loving environment with two active and present parents.  'We're also partners in the life we've built together… We are profoundly grateful for the extraordinary life we share, and we step into what comes next with optimism and light.' Yet to insiders who spoke with the Daily Mail, even the run-up to the announcement was tinged with an element of calculation. 'Jen is frantic when it comes to publicity and has made sure her name was out there as much as possible before the breakup so it was all about her,' one said. Friends close to the couple tell the Daily Mail Butterfield grew tired of his wife's alleged 'obsession with status and privilege'  The pair shared a joint statement on Instagram Wednesday, confirming they 'remain dedicated' to their philanthropy and shared business interests, despite their separation   And of her recently-minted Met Museum honor, the source added archly: 'They effectively paid their way for her to be a member of the board of trustees. And she showed up in the most outrageous outfit at the gala to make sure she was noticed.' Of that creation, Rubio, worth an estimated $130 million as co-founder of luggage Away, later revealed that she only wore it because her original outfit 'fell through' nine days before the red carpet. Sharing on Instagram, she explained a friend suggested the look from France-based Ashi Studio, and 'within 48 hours' had the team send measurements via WhatsApp and convinced a friend flying from Paris 'to bring the bubble-wrapped runway sample corset in his lap.' Rubio added that the 'bodice alone took 400 hours to make: it was hard plaster, hand-painted in oils with a trompe l'oeil burl wood finish so realistic I kept forgetting it wasn't wood.' She even noted that her husband, 'who collects Old Masters wood products, 'loved the monkeys too.'  Adding with a flourish, she concluded: 'For my first Met Gala as a trustee of The Met, I wanted to wear something that honored art, fashion, craft, and obsession. And what we did in a week managed to do that in a much more personal way than I could have ever imagined.' The entrepreneur has a $140 million property portfolio with 53-year-old Butterfield, with the couple splurging on five homes in three states in 2021 and 2022, according to the Wall Street Journal. One of them is a $40 million ranch in New Mexico covering 20,000 acres. Others include places in New York City, Southampton in the Hamptons, and ritzy mountain resort Aspen, Colorado. Jen Rubio poses with actress Olivia Wilde and another guest at the Art Production Fund Gala in March 2024 The couple were seen attending the High Line Spring Benefit together as recently as May  Top interior designer Jake Arnold, who worked on their Hamptons spread, spoke about designing the home on social media last year.  'Having known Jen for years, it's been incredible to watch her evolve and build such a beautiful life with her family and Stewart,' he wrote.  'Their inspiring art collection and collaborative spirit made the design process deeply fulfilling.  'Set within a storied Gilded Age estate, the house has been thoughtfully brought back to life with a contemporary twist.' Rubio, 39, was born in the Philippines and moved to New Jersey when she was seven.  She and Butterfield became engaged in May 2019, marrying the following year. The couple have a five-year-old son and a younger daughter - who have been featured in loving photos on Instagram amid the regular glam shots of herself. Occasionally her relationship with other parents in her circle has attracted attention. Just a month ago, the couple appeared happy and loved-up, holding hands as they arrived at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference in Idaho on July 7   Rubio and Butterfield have two children together, a five-year-old son and a daughter born in 2023 'There has been some bizarre behavior,' a source revealed.  'Last Halloween, Jen invited her friends from their kids' pre-school and insisted they take off their shoes and wear $1,000 slippers she'd bought.' For Butterfield, this will be the second failed marriage. The Canadian entrepreneur was first wed to Caterina Fake, his Flickr co-founder. They were wed from 2001 to 2007. A representative for Butterfield denied his estranged wife's obsession with status is the reason for divorce. He did not elaborate. Rubio's rep did not return the Daily Mail's request for comment.