HOLLYWOOD -- Writer Joe Hyams says his 17-year marriage to actress Elke Sommer gave him the best years of his life, but he has filed for divorce because she needs her independence.
'When we were married 17 years ago,' Hyams said Saturday, 'no one thought our marriage would last long.
'And I replied that it didn't matter because if we were married for only three months they would have been the best three months of my life. As it was they were the best 17 years of my life. I have no regrets.'
'I've always done what I thought would make my wife happy,' Hyams said. 'Now I think giving Elke her independence would make her happy.'
Miss Sommer, 41, was at her home in Germany and unavailable for comment.
Hyams, 58, has co-authored several books with celebrities and sports stars, including books on the late Edith Head, Pancho Gonzales, Tony Trabert, Billie Jean King and the late Peter Sellers.
Miss Sommer has appeared in such films as 'A Shot in the Dark,' 'Boy Did I Get A Wrong Number,' 'The Venetian Affair' and 'The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz.'
