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KIIS host Jackie O says she is lucky to have stayed friends with estranged husband

POPULAR radio host Jackie “O” Henderson says she and estranged husband Lee speak on the phone daily, enjoy a family dinner once a week and often spend weekends together.

Jackie O announces separation

POPULAR radio host Jackie “O” Henderson says she and estranged husband Lee speak on the phone daily, enjoy a family dinner once a week and often spend weekends together.

The 43-year-old this week revealed in the Telegraph she and her partner of 18 years had called time on their relationship.

“We have had a beautiful marriage and shared some lovely memories together but our marriage has had ups and downs and I feel like everyone’s marriage goes through that,” Henderson told listeners of hit FM breakfast show, Kyle and Jackie O.

Lee Henderson pictured on Friday. He and Jackie O split after 18 years together. Picture: KHAPGG/MEGA
Lee Henderson pictured on Friday. He and Jackie O split after 18 years together. Picture: KHAPGG/MEGA

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“Lee and I have decided to separate.

“It is not a decision we took lightly at all.

“Lee and I have been so lucky that our separation has been extremely amicable and I know everyone says that but we actually have remained really good friends throughout this.”

The couple, who were married in 2003, are parents to seven-year-old daughter Kitty.

“We talk every day on the phone,” she said.

Jackie O said it was “a miracle” the news stayed private for so long.
Jackie O said it was “a miracle” the news stayed private for so long.

“We all still hang out as a family, so we are lucky in that respect. It is not something that happened overnight for us.

“We have been separated for quite some time now. We are just lucky, I guess, that we were able to do it in private.”

Henderson and her husband met nearly 20 years ago at a Sydney bar before marrying. They split some time ago but kept the news private as they worked through issues and to protect their family.

Together in an Instagram post.
Together in an Instagram post.
A date at Kangaroo Valley, south of Sydney.
A date at Kangaroo Valley, south of Sydney.

“It was a miracle, if I am honest,” Henderson said of being able to keep the information out of the news until this week.

“We wanted to keep that private for as long as we possibly could.

“A separation is never easy so I feel lucky that we were able to get through that period of time dealing with it on our own.

“Our priority has always been Kitty through this and that is why it is so important for us to keep a good relationship Lee and I. We want her to be a part of a loving family.

“For us, we just felt a separation was the right decision for us.”

KIIS co-host Kyle Sandilands admitted being emotional while discussing Jackie’s situation.
KIIS co-host Kyle Sandilands admitted being emotional while discussing Jackie’s situation.
At her Vaucluse home. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
At her Vaucluse home. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
“I am lucky we have remained friends.” Picture: Christian Gilles
“I am lucky we have remained friends.” Picture: Christian Gilles

Asked by her KIIS FM co-host Kyle Sandilands how her daughter was coping, she said: “As a family, we are really good. We go out every week together for dinner.

“We spend weekends a lot of the time together. Everyone is different and I am lucky that we have remained friends throughout this.”

Sandilands, 47, himself having been divorced several years ago, was emotional when discussing the split.

“I feel for you,” he said.

“I have known for a while but there’s a part of me, it eats at me.

“I cried yesterday. I am not good at these situations.”

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/kiis-host-jackie-o-says-she-is-lucky-to-have-stayed-friends-with-estranged-husband/news-story/6f7bab84551c45008a4ecb45b139e635