Clarke tells of relationships fears spawned by parents’ divorce
News that the former first couple of cricket have split has shone new light on comments former Australian Test skipper Michael Clarke made about the scars his parents’ divorce had left on him, leaving him with deep fears of starting a committed relationship.
NSW
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Cricket great Michael Clarke began his new life in the public eye as a single dad yesterday in the wake of the revelations his fairytale marriage had crumbled.
Ferrying daughter Kelsey Lee to preschool after picking her up in a BMW from the $12 million mansion in Vaucluse he once shared as a family home with wife Kyly, the sports star looked downcast.
News the couple had quietly split five months ago was revealed yesterday, shining new light on the comments the former Australian Test skipper made about the scars his parents Les and Debbie’s divorce after 25 years of marriage had left on him, and how it made him harbour deep fears of starting a committed relationship.
“Their break-up affected me to the core. When I split up with my then-fiancee Lara Bingle in 2010, part of the undercurrent in my thinking is that if a couple like Mum and Dad can’t make it, what hope have I got,” he wrote in his 2016 autobiography My Story.
“I don’t even want to start a serious relationship if it’s going to end in a separation.
“Mum and Dad are my heroes, and their marriage has always been a kind of gold standard for (sister) Leanne and me. I can’t imagine myself measuring up to my parents’ partnership. How can I do it, if they can’t?”
“It takes me a long time to get over that fear. When Kyly Boldy and I started dating, I opened up with her about it.
“There is a strength of love between us that helps me get over my self-doubt.”
The Clarkes, both 38, had been a glittering couple of the Sydney social scene and enjoyed a textbook romance after the cricket legend’s very public and tumultuous relationship with model Lara Worthington ended dramatically in 2010.
Worthington (nee Bingle) was rumoured to have flushed her $200,000 diamond engagement ring down the toilet after the split.
The Clarkes hooked up years after attending the same high school — Westfield Sports High in Sydney’s west — and had reconnected on Twitter.
They tied the knot two years later and welcomed the birth of beloved daughter Kelsey Lee in 2015.
They are estimated to be worth $40 million.
In his book, Clarke had detailed his strong bond with Kyly and their shared devotion to family.
“By that stage I was going through a rough time, and Kyly’s warmth and compassion touched me,” he wrote. “She had been brought up in a very close and loving family and encouraged me to let my vulnerability show rather than seeking ways to cover it up.
“She and I shared fundamental values — she knew that when things were at their most difficult, the people you turned to were your family and close friends.
“She could see that I was needing the comfort of family, and I fell in love with her family too. That strong bond of unity provided an extra reinforcement for me at a time when my self-confidence was being shaken.
“She convinced me that I could hope for the kind of home life I wanted, that I shouldn’t give up on myself.”
Clarke and Kyly’s statement announcing that they had called time on their relationship several months ago was brief.
“After living apart for some time, we have made the difficult decision to separate as a couple, amicably,” the pair said.
“With the greatest of respect for each other we’ve come to the mutual conclusion that this is the best course for us to take while committed to the co-parenting of our daughter Kelsey Lee. We’d like to acknowledge the wonderful support we’ve had from family and friends, and at this time request privacy so that we can manage this next stage of our lives. We’ll not be making any further comments.”
Sources close to the couple say there was no third party involved in the split.
The Australian reported the estranged couple had already agreed to a divorce settlement without going to court and they will share custody of their daughter.
It’s not expected there will be a messy division of their property portfolio and there were reports yesterday Clarke had sold a Bondi property on Campbell Parade, which he bought for $6 million over a decade ago, for somewhere in “the low seven millions”.
On social media, the couple remain amicable — both sharing pictures of their daughter and liking each other’s posts.
Clarke’s devotion to his daughter has always been evident, such as in 2018 when he got a tattoo of a clover leaf with her initials.
Apart from life as a single dad, Clarke has plenty to keep him busy. Apart from his new gig as a radio host on the Big Sports Breakfast with league great Laurie Daley, he is expected to remain focused on running his several businesses including The Michael Clarke Cricket Academy, Michael Clarke Pty Ltd and MC Management.
Kyly is also about to start work in her new role as a host on Seven’s House Rules.
