AFL legend Moana Hope, model wife Isabella Carlstrom break silence on split

Moana Hope and Isabella Carlstrom have confirmed they are “consciously uncoupling” just a year after welcoming their second child.

An AFL legend and her model wife have taken a leaf from the book of Gwyneth Paltrow as they announce they are “consciously uncoupling” from their marriage.

Earlier this month, break-up rumours began to swirl about footy star Moana Hope and model Isabella Carlstrom, as eagle-eyed social media users spotted some suspicious activity on Hope’s Instagram account.

Fans began asking questions after the footy star changed an emoji in her Instagram bio from a family of four to a single parent with two children. Carlstrom has now confirmed the news with a statement posted to Instagram, which was quickly followed by a post from Hope.

Moana and Isabella while Isabella was pregnant with their first child.

They couldn’t have been happier when announcing they were pregnant.

“It’s with a heavy heart that Mo and I have decided to separate,” Carlstrom confirmed on Monday.

“We will continue to raise our beautiful kids together as we consciously uncouple. We appreciate all the love and support over the years, thank you.”

The term, made famous by a break-up announcement from exes Gwenyth Paltrow and Chris Martin in 2014, is used by celebrities to describe an amicable relationship breakdown.

Isabella Carlstrom's statement on her split from wife Moana Hope

“Bell and I have separated,” Hope confirmed in her own post about the split, which comes after four years of marriage and less than a year after the birth of the couple’s second child.

“I understand that I live a public life and people may have questions, and while I live my life candidly, my main priority at this time is our beautiful children and I ask that you respect my privacy.

“We will continue to co-parent as we transition to this new phase of our lives. I appreciate all the love and support I have received.”

Moana Hope celebrates a goal for the Magpies in 2018. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Isabella Carlstrom and Moana Hope have confirmed their split.

Hope was one of the AFLW’s first big stars after a stellar career at state league level, which included becoming the first woman to kick more than 100 goals in a VFL women’s season in 2016, before playing a few seasons of the AFLW.

The couple share two children, daughter Svea, born to Carlstrom in 2020, and son Ahi, born to Hope, in June last year.

They offered fans a window into their journey towards parenthood, posting updates about their children’s IVF conceptions and even sharing intimate images of the early stages of Carlstrom’s labour.

The announcement of their split comes after fans’ curiosity was piqued by a Mother’s Day post by Hope that didn’t mention Carlstrom.

Moana Hope and Isabella Carlstrom

“I’m one of 14 and growing up my mum also adopted some kids, so there was 19 of us living under the one roof. I lost my dad to cancer when I was 12,” she wrote in the post.

“Growing up, I watched my mum go to work at night, come back in the morning and take care of us throughout the day. The resilience she showed is [something] I’ll never forget. As a mother of two, I don’t know how she did it.

“You are unbelievable, mum. I love you and that’s why this Mother’s Day I really want to celebrate you. You’re amazing, you’re my rock and we definitely wouldn’t be here without you, so happy Mother’s Day, mum.”

Fans were blindsided by the news of their split.

“Never thought I’d read this. I hope you guys can work it out, time heals,” one wrote.

“If not, I’m sure you’ll be the best co-parents out there.”

“Gosh this is the last thing I expected to read,” commented another.

Originally published as AFL legend Moana Hope, model wife Isabella Carlstrom break silence on split