Gary Ablett’s wife Jordan fights tears over question about their marriage

Jordan Ablett has choked back tears after being asked about her relationship with AFL icon Gary Ablett days after revealing a family secret.

Jordan Ablett has become overwhelmed with emotion after being asked about her relationship with AFL icon Gary Ablett on breakfast TV.

The inspirational figure has poured her heart out in recent weeks with her book One Day at a Time being released this month.

The 33-year-old mum-of-three last week revealed the condition her son Levi has lived with since he was born — a detail that the family had not previously divulged since their precious boy was first diagnosed in 2020.

The Good Friday appeal ambassador has dealt with more hardship than most parents will ever face — and has been brave in sharing her journey.

Ablett’s Instagram followers will be very familiar with the sight of her in tears while speaking in front of the camera — but Wednesday morning’s interview with Channel 7’s Sunrise shows she will always have more tears to shed.

Ablett told Sunrise hosts Matt Shirvington and Nat Barr about the difficult months that followed Levi’s diagnosis in 2020 — but it was a question about her husband where the interview turned emotional.

You can watch the emotional moment in the video player above.

Jordan Ablett was emotional on Sunrise. Photo: Channel 7.

She said her relationship with Geelong Cats legend husband Gary remains “so strong”.

“To be honest with you, we’ve definitely had our lows, and I really feel for other parents that are raising a child with a disability because I get it, I fully get it, and there are so many layers,” Jordan said, before choking back tears.

“I think people from the outside might... sorry... kind of presume that it’s so heavily physical, but it’s so mental as well.

“But I could not have asked for a better husband and a better father to raise Levi and to spend my life with.

“He’s been absolutely incredible; not once has he ever made it about him and about those plans and those things that we anticipated — that’s just irrelevant.

“He has been incredible at embracing our life now and we’re both so excited for our future with Levi as well.

“It’s not just about what we’ve lost, but it’s about almost what we’ve gained as well.”

Jordan has repeatedly spoken about the ways Levi has blessed their lives and spoke about the troubles faced when raising a child with a rare disease.

She last week announced her son has Menkes – a degenerative illness that affects Levi’s respiratory system.

The disease devastatingly results in a shorter life expectancy.

Those with Menkes struggle to absorb copper, an essential mineral for the human body. Those that live with low copper levels in their system can face a number of deficiencies, including neurological function.

It is unlikely Levi will ever speak and the couple made the difficult decision to not send him to school last year while they continue to care for him.

Ablett says it has taken her this long to process everything to a point where she is comfortable talking about Menkes.

“I always knew deep down that I would eventually be open and transparent about it. I don’t know what good can possibly come from not being that.” Ablett told The Herald Sun.

“I didn’t want people to misinterpret me holding onto that information as being ashamed of Levi. It was purely a matter of me just trying and needing to process it all first myself. I knew that once I could do that, I’d be in a position where I could then offer encouragement and hope to others through our journey.”

Jordan Ablett and Levi Ablett watch the footballer walk out to play his final game. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos.

The diagnosis, delivered in May 2020, came around the same time Jordan was caring for her mum before she died of lung cancer the same year.

It tested every facet of the couple’s relationship — but they have never been broken.

Gary Ablett Jr — whose father was a high-flying full forward in the 1980s and 90s — is one of the great players of the modern era.

Now 40 years old, Ablett Jr played 357 games for Geelong and the Gold Coast, winning two flags with the Cats and a Brownlow Medal with each of his clubs.

He and Jordan also have a daughter Grace and son Ezra.

The couple in January celebrated their nine-year wedding anniversary.

Originally published as Gary Ablett’s wife Jordan fights tears over question about their marriage