Alex McKinnon pays tribute to ex Teigan Power in Mother’s Day post

Alex McKinnon has paid a heartwarming tribute to the mother of his three daughters, Teigan Power, weeks after confirming their separation.

Former NRL player Alex McKinnon has paid a heartfelt tribute to his estranged wife for Mother’s Day, just weeks after news of their shock split was confirmed.

McKinnon posted a black and white photo to his Instagram stories of Teigan Power sitting in a field with their twin girls, Audrey Jill and Violet John, and their older daughter, Harriet Anne.

“Happy Mother’s Day,” he wrote, tagging his former partner and including a flower bouquet emoji.

Alex McKinnon paid tribute to Teigan Power on Mother’s Day. Picture: Instagram

The couple were together for 12 years before their separation in January, which was confirmed late last month when they shared identical statements to their respective social media accounts.

“We are together concentrating on protecting our family and children. We have the utmost respect for each other, and are both very grateful for the people, as well as all of the support that we have in our lives,” part of the statement shared by Ms Power read.

“We understand the interest, but would really appreciate your understanding and ask you to please respect our wishes at this time.”

The former couple share twin girls Audrey and Violet, and firstborn, Harriet. Picture: Supplied

Stresses involved with raising a young family were reportedly the primary cause of the separation.

Instagram pictures revealed the couple had left subtle hints not all was rosy in their relationship prior to the news of their split leaking.

McKinnon and Ms Power attended the same wedding in March, however didn’t share any photos together to social media.

The couple warmed hearts across the country when they became engaged in 2014, two weeks after the former rugby league player woke from a coma following a devastating spinal cord injury.

The childhood sweethearts captured Australia once again when they were married in 2017, with McKinnon surprising his wife and guests by standing up from his wheelchair.

Instagram photo of McKinnon and Ms Power during their relationship.

“It took 3 years of EVERYTHING I’ve got in me to achieve this moment of standing with my beautiful wife on our wedding day. ️Dreams do come true,” McKinnon, now 30, said after their special day.

McKinnon revealed in his book Unbroken how immediately after the accident, which unfolded during a match against the Melbourne Storm in March 2014, he feared their relationship would eventually break down.

He described how Ms Power had “been life-changing for me”, and that he was certain she would stick by him in the aftermath of his injury.

“I knew it wouldn’t break her. I thought it would break me,” he wrote.

The couple welcomed their first child, Harriet Anne, in October 2018, and twin girls, Audrey Jill and Violet John, in April 2021.

McKinnon and Ms Power were together for 12 years before separating in January.

They have, for many, been a glowing example of the strength of true love, with the pair regularly being referenced as “inspirational”.

Ms Power often updated her Instagram accounts with photos of McKinnon as he transitioned through different stages of his rehabilitation.

They celebrated their twins’ first birthday as a family unit last month, with the former couple posing for multiple sweet Instagram photos with their daughters.

McKinnon recently left his job as a recruitment officer at the Newcastle Knights and is now studying psychology at Newcastle University and working for Fox Sports as a sideline reporter and analyst.