Tragic past of Wally Lewis’ new partner revealed after marriage breakdown

The trauma and grief of Wally Lewis’ new girlfriend has come to light after the rugby league icon’s bombshell marriage breakdown.

Lynda Adams and Wally Lewis are together. Photos: AAP and News Corp Australia.

The tragic past behind Wally Lewis’ new flame Lynda Adams has emerged following rocky revelations this week the rugby league legend’s marriage is over.

Reports emerged the 61-year-old is now in a relationship with Adams after separating from wife Jacqui last year, ending their marriage of 36 years.

Lewis has acknowledged the “pain and upset” his family has endured as a result of the relationship breakdown.

The Queensland State of Origin icon, affectionately known as The King, is now dating mum-of-one Adams, whose brave background has since come to light.

The volunteer worker and writer has become well known in Townsville for her long-time charity work with local support group Still Birth and Neonatal Death Support (SANDS).

She suffered six miscarriages in four years before undergoing successful IVF treatment, celebrating the birth of her now teenage daughter Sydney with ex-husband Mark Adams.

The incredible pain of her background is written all over her online support network profile for SANDS.

“I felt alone. I felt that I was the only woman in the world going through this incredible pain and loss,” she wrote.

“In finding SANDS I realised I was not alone.”

Adams (left) has worked tirelessly for other people.

Fifteen years ago Adams established the group’s Walk to Remember initiative, which aims to raise awareness and support families who have experienced similar trauma.

The event sees 13 walks take place across Australia in October, as families gather together to remember and acknowledge babies that have died, and share stories about their personal experiences.

Adams has previously spoken of her pride in starting the concept, telling DUO Magazine: “By starting the Walk to Remember in Australia it gives me so much pride and happiness knowing this day helps so many families.

“Offering the gift of support, of understanding, of love and of ensuring they know they are not alone is the most rewarding experience.

“Thankfully … the Walk to Remember is now helping families throughout Australia every October as we come together to support each other during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month.”

The Courier-Mail reported Adams has previously spoken passionately about encouraging women to share their pain and grief after the trauma of miscarriages and stillbirths.

“When I was going through, all my losses — my husband and I lost six babies — I really felt I needed to do something to help other families going through such pain,’’ Adams said in a 2015 interview.

“I wanted to offer an avenue where people could not only get support from other families suffering, but also allow their friends and family to come together to discuss a subject typically kept silent, and show support in a way they may not otherwise know how to.’’

Adams was devastated after her first miscarriage, although somewhat understanding as she knew the stats behind how many pregnancies don’t reach full term. She kept on trying and while she fell pregnant multiple times, tragedy was never far away.

Amid all the pain, there was finally joy when Sydney was born. Adams tried again for another child afterwards, but another miscarriage convinced her to give up on hopes of a sibling for her daughter.

“Instead of being excited about being pregnant, I was now terrified,” Adams told DUO Magazine in 2013. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re at the 12-week mark, or full term; you still dream, plan and hope from the minute you’re pregnant — it’s still your baby.

“I now say I have six angels with wings and one with feet.”

RELATED: Lewis family’s ‘pain’ after Wally departs

Connecting families who have experienced similar traumas is important for Adams (right).

LEWIS REVEALS FAMILY ‘PAIN’

Lewis confirmed he had separated from wife of 36 years earlier this week, Jacqui, in a statement released by Channel 9 this week.

“Wally and Jacqui Lewis separated last year after 36 years of marriage. It has been a difficult time for everyone in the family and they are still working through the details of the separation,” the statement read.

Lewis, who shares three children — Mitchell, Lincoln and Jamie-Lee — with Jacqui, admitted the separation had taken a heavy toll on his family and confirmed he is in a new relationship.

“This is a deeply personal matter that we do not want to discuss publicly, but I want to acknowledge the pain and upset my family has gone through since Jacqui and I separated last year. I hope over time we can rebuild our ties and move on with life,” Lewis said.

“I will confirm I am now in another relationship and only ask for the media to respect our privacy.”

The Lewis clan has been rocked by Wally and Jacqui’s break-up.

Wally and Jacqui were married on November 10, 1984, at St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane.

He revealed in his autobiography My Life last year how Jacqui had helped him through his epilepsy diagnosis — a condition he kept secret from 1987 to 2006 when he had a seizure on air on Nine News.

Lewis finally underwent a four-hour operation in 2007 but wrote he and Jacqui hadn’t anticipated the depression that would follow.

“I had suicidal thoughts and found myself crying uncontrollably, for no reason,” he wrote.

Lewis admitted to coming close to committing suicide at his Brisbane home when his wife had ducked out to the shops.

“Another time I walked down to the pontoon on the canal at the back of the house and considered jumping in,” he says. “The thought was actually there that day … (Jacqui) never left me alone after that.”

Originally published as Tragic past of Wally Lewis’ new partner revealed after marriage breakdown