Gossip Queen: Friendship goes on after love in the fast lane
DIVORCE isn’t such a bad thing if you can remain each other’s best mates. Just ask Australian motorcycle legend Wayne Gardner and ex-wife Donna-Lee Kahlbetzer.
Fiona Byrne
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DIVORCE isn’t such a bad thing if you can remain each other’s best mates like Australian motorcycle legend Wayne Gardner and his ex-wife Donna-Lee Kahlbetzer.
The former glamour couple attended the world premiere of Wayne, a super documentary by Jeremy Sims about the extraordinary career of the 1987 500cc world champion at Melbourne International Film Festival on Friday.
EMINEM’S SUBVERSIVE RAP MOVIE LEADS MIFF
“I knew it was going to be emotional. I held Wayne’s hand throughout the whole thing because I needed the support as much as he did,” Kahlbetzer, who is the emotional heart of the film, said.
“Wayne and I did have an amazing relationship. We were a team and we worked well together.”
The pair who were together for 18 years, married in 1989 and split in 1995.
“We did not have a shitty divorce which helped,” Kahlbetzer said of their enduring friendship.
“Wayne was very good to me during our relationship, it crumbled at the end and that is the way it goes.
“I could have been the bitter and twisted ex-wife but I did not want to do that, I did not want to waste time like that, so we ended up shaking hands and saying it was fun while it lasted and moving on.
“Once I got over it I have made a new life for myself and I could not be happier.
“I have a wonderful husband, I have been blessed with two wonderful children and I still have Wayne as a great friend.”
She married agribusiness rich-lister Johnny Kahlbetzer in 2003 with whom she has two children. The family divides its time between Sydney and Monaco.
Gardner went on to marry Toni Atkinson with whom he has two sons. He is based in Barcelona and Monaco.
Said Gardner of Kahlbetzer: “Her kids call my kids brothers. We are in different families now but we are still best mates and she is my rock. She still picks me up when I fall down and wipes my chin when I am dribbling.”
The documentary is a must see for anyone with an interest in motorsport.
Gardner described the filming process as like a 30 year reunion of his racetrack rivals including Eddie Lawson, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey and Mick Doohan.
— MIFF runs August 2-19. For more information visit miff.com.au.
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