Phoebe Burgess opens up on traumatic relationship breakdown with Sam Burgess

Phoebe Burgess wanted to “go to sleep and not wake up for a while” as she battled through a traumatic relationship breakdown.

Phoebe Burgess has opened up on the aftermath of her relationship breakdown with former NRL superstar Sam Burgess, saying her two children have helped her push through the most difficult period of her life.

Ex-South Sydney champion Sam was found guilty in February of intimidating his estranged father-in-law, Mitchell Hooke, as the troubles in his and Phoebe’s relationship played out publicly. However, that conviction was overturned on appeal in March.

The ugly headlines came after explosive drug and domestic violence allegations were levelled at the footballer last year. Burgess strenuously denied the claims.

Now living with her parents on their family property in Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands, Phoebe told Stellar in an exclusive interview how her kids have been the key to keeping things together.

Daughter Poppy, 4, and son Billy, 2, who she shares with Sam, have helped Phoebe overcome “a lot of pain, a lot of trauma, a lot of ugly stuff” that emerged in her life when her marriage fell apart.

Phoebe is devoted to her children.

Sam Burgess’s playing days are over.

“I have days where I want to give up and fall apart and I just want to break – I want to go to sleep and not wake up for a while, for everything to stop, but you can’t,” Phoebe told the latest issue of Stellar, available on Sunday.

“It sounds awful but being trapped in motherhood and being trapped in responsibility has saved my life.”

Phoebe said Poppy and Billy are “my purpose”, adding, “I’m really proud that through the loss and grief, they’ve never felt it. They’ve been so loved and I don’t think they ever felt anything was taken from them.”

Phoebe’s mum Sarah Hooke has been in awe of her middle daughter’s strength in recent times.

“I knew she was strong but no one should have to go through what she’s been through,” she said.

Phoebe Burgess has leant on her family for support. Photo: David Mandelberg. Source: Stellar.

Read the full interview with Phoebe Burgess in the current issue of Stellar, available in the Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Herald Sun, on sale Sunday, April 18