‘I’m very lucky things ended so well’: Inside Australia’s most famous modern families

From Miranda Kerr to Jackie O, some of Australia’s most recognisable women reveal their experience of navigating a marriage breakdown – and how they co-parent with their exes.

It’s a time of year when we are bombarded with images of happy families celebrating the holidays. Even in 2023, the greeting card definition of what a family looks like is often very different to the reality.

With around 30 per cent of marriages ending in divorce, many households look very different to what is being reflected in popular culture this festive season.

In a special episode of Something To Talk About, Stellar revisits a few candid conversations with high-profile Australian women including Miranda Kerr, Jackie O, Michelle Bridges and Sarah Harris – all of whom opened up about their personal experience of navigating a marriage breakdown without bitterness, and shared their insights into co-parenting their children with an ex in the most positive way possible.

Miranda Kerr opened up about her co-parenting relationship with ex, Orlando Bloom. Picture: Getty Images

The Australian supermodel is expecting a baby with her husband, Evan Spiegel. Picture: Getty Images

As Jackie O says: “I have nothing but respect for [ex-husband] Lee, we have a wonderful relationship”.

“And, you know, he’s an incredible father. And so for me, I’m very lucky that everything ended so well. And there is no bitterness or anything. I feel so grateful for that.”

There is also insight from Sophie Cachia, who wrote a memoir about the moment she realised she was attracted to women several years into her marriage with the father of her two children.

Listen to the full episode on Something To Talk About below or wherever you get your podcasts:

Jackie O has a ‘wonderful’ co-parenting relationship with her ex, as she revealed on Something To Talk About this year. Picture: Simon Upton for Stellar

And a recently separated Natalie Bassingthwaighte, where she spoke for the first time about being in a relationship with a woman – and reflected on her ex-husband’s unwavering support during this new chapter of her life.

“I think there’s a perception that if your marriage is over, or if something is over, it’s a failure. And I don’t believe that at all,” Bassingthwaighte said.

“We had a very successful marriage; it was very beautiful. We’ve done amazing things together. We’ve achieved a lot. We have two incredible children. We both admire and respect each other. And there’s love there – it’s just different.

“One of the most beautiful things that happened out of [the] media speaking about us separating was that it was brought to our attention that – and this is something that I feel comfortable talking about now, whereas before I probably wasn’t – I wanted to be able to do it in my time, when I was ready.”

Listen to the summer series of Stellar’s podcast Something To Talk About below or wherever you get your podcasts:

Something To Talk About will return with brand new episodes in late January 2024.

Originally published as ‘I’m very lucky things ended so well’: Inside Australia’s most famous modern families