Ellie Aitken reveals heartache as husband Charlie moves on with her best friend

Sydney society figure Ellie Aitken has spoken out about her “hurtful” marriage split from funds manager Charlie Aitken, who moved out and began dating her best friend Hollie Nasser.

Sydney society figure Ellie Aitken is taking a break from social media amid her “painful” split from her estranged husband and top funds manager, Charlie Aitken.

In a lengthy statement shared on Instagram on Tuesday morning, Ms Aitken described the breakdown of her nearly 20-year marriage as “incredibly difficult” after Mr Aitken recently confirmed that he is now dating her best friend Hollie Nasser.

“It’s no secret that the past few weeks have been an incredibly difficult time for me personally while dealing with a very hurtful private situation,” she wrote.

Chris and Hollie Nasser with Ellie and Charlie Aitken and a friend (far left).

Ellie Aitken has revealed her heartbreak after her husband and her best friend Hollie Nasser confirmed they were a couple.

Ellie and Charlie Aitken. Picture: Jake Scevola.

“I had attempted to put on a brave face and tried to manage my feelings and wellbeing despite the fact that I have not had any control over the reasons for my sorrow.

“Unfortunately, I was pushed to my limit over the weekend and as a result I made a painful matter worse by sharing my private thoughts on social media.

“The truth is that despite the support of friends and family I have not coped well with the deeply hurtful lies, gossip and innuendo that has surrounded the breakdown of my relationship. It is a situation that I honestly never expected to endure, let alone so publicly.”

Ellie Aitken poured her heart out on Instagram amid her marriage split.

Ms Aitken said that her sole focus going forward is the two young children who she shares with Mr Aitken.

“I now need to take time out to focus solely on me and my children. This focus includes, for my children’s sake, the practicalities of co-parenting and the importance of maintaining their relationships with all of our family members,” she wrote.

“I am taking a step back from view – including taking a break from social media - in the hope that my children and I will be afforded privacy as we come to terms with our changed circumstances.”

It comes after the mergers and acquisitions lawyer was pictured having a domestic dispute with Mr Aitken outside their family home in Bondi on Sunday.

Hollywood actor Russell Crowe was dragged into the drama after Ms Aitken’s posted her private text exchange with Ms Nasser on Instagram.

Earlier in the day, Mr Aitken posted then deleted a screenshot of her private text conversation with Ms Nasser, who accused the mother-of-two of having a two-year affair with Hollywood actor Russell Crowe which she denied.

Ms Aitken was photographed with Crowe at a pre-Oscars bash in Beverly Hills in February 2016 while she was still married to Mr Aitken.

Mr Aitken recently moved into a serviced apartment in Bondi Junction with Ms Nasser, who is the wife of his business partner, Chris Nasser.

The Nassers have been married for five years and share two children.

One source said Mr Aitken, 48, and Ms Nasser, 36, have been “completely ostracised” from eastern suburbs social circles after it was claimed they had been having an affair for five months.

“This has been going on for months including encounters at [the Nasser] family home,” the source said.

An insider claimed Ms Nasser “always wanted” Ms Aitken’s life.

Ms Aitken has resigned from her post as executive director of the couple’s investment business, Aitken Investment Management, but remains a director.

Mr Nasser also recently resigned from his position as a director at AIM.

Mr Aitken is the son of Perpetual Bank investment legend John Aitken and a former stockbroker.

Ms Aitken, 42, is a mergers and acquisitions lawyer who dabbled in fashion design before joining her husband at the family funds business.