News of Samantha Armytage’s split from her husband Richard Lavender was first exclusively revealed by Daily Mail Australia on Thursday evening – but there were key signs pointing to their separation in the weeks beforehand.
The former Channel SevenTV presenter, 48, and the equestrian businessman, 61, have gone their separate ways on the eve of their four-year wedding anniversary. The couple tied the knot at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands in NSW on New Year’s Eve in 2020.
Well-placed sources revealed news of their split exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday evening, with Samantha then confirming that they had ‘amicably’ gone their separate ways.
However, there were signs pointing towards trouble in Samantha’s marriage in the weeks before the news became public.
Indeed, she was last photographed with Richard over three months ago.
The couple were last sighted together on September 5, when they arrived back at Sydney Airport following a trip to Noosa together.
The couple were last sighted together on September 5, when they arrived back at Sydney Airport following a trip to Noosa together (pictured)
No more: News of Samantha Armytage ‘s split from her husband Richard Lavender emerged this week, but there were signs pointing to their separation
They both flashed big smiles as they appeared to be in good spirits after the trip, which had been to celebrate Samantha’s 48th birthday.
Samantha has instead made a string of solo appearances in recent weeks, including at the 2024 Melbourne Cup, despite Richard working in the equestrian business.
The former Farmer Wants a Wife host made a very glamorous appearance at Flemington Racecourse’s world-famous Birdcage, but posed for photographs without her husband.
Stepping out on Melbourne Cup Day, Samantha cut an elegant figure in a vibrant red gown as she worked the angles for the camera during the solo outing.
It is not known if Richard was in attendance at the races, but Samantha was notably seen stepping out by herself as she mixed with the stars at the glitzy event.
While the couple do not normally walk red carpets together, Richard’s involvement in the equestrian business sparked speculation they would attend the races as a couple.
The pair have previously made very rare public appearances together at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse, stepping out holding hands at the races back in 2021.
Samantha Armytage’s ‘change’ column
Samantha also made some cryptic comments about everything in her life ‘changing’ in recent weeks, following her departure from Channel Seven and amid her marriage split.
Before news of their separation emerged, Samantha penned a candid column for Stellar in which she referenced the many changes in her life she was dealing with.
‘All of a sudden, everything is changing: hair colour, waistlines, sleep patterns, pelvic floors, skin texture, friends, colleagues, houses, jargon, clothing styles,’ she wrote.
Though she was talking about her career change in moving from Seven to Channel Nine, Samantha went on to speak about ‘loving’ and ‘losing’ in a poignant segment.
‘I’ve loved and lost. I’ve laughed and cried,’ she penned.
‘I’m stronger, yet more vulnerable. I have learnt discernment, acceptance and patience (to a degree).’
Samantha concluded her column by revealing she is happy with the person she has become and looked ahead with excitement to her ‘new adventures’.
Amid the huge period of change in her life, Samantha has seemingly been looking for a new companion in recent weeks as she hinted that she was looking for another dog.
Samantha has since made a string of solo appearances in recent weeks, including at the 2024 Melbourne Cup, despite Richard working in the equestrian business
The couple have previously made very rare public appearances together at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse, stepping out holding hands at the races back in 2021 (pictured)
A new animal companion
The former Sunrise host tragically lost her faithful four-legged companion Banjo in February after he was bitten by a snake.
But she appeared to be on the lookout for another dog after spending an afternoon at a Guide Dogs NSW pop-up shop in Paddington, Sydney, with her sister Georgina.
One photograph showed Samantha, beaming broadly as she rested her head on one adorable pooch, called Ginger, as Georgina cuddled the dog tightly.
However, it appeared that Georgina was the one who was keen to take Ginger home, with Samantha captioning the image: ‘Georgie Armytage, home!’
A second image showed Georgina clearly bonding with the adorable pooch, holding the dog tight as she smiled blissfully with her eyes closed.
Social media clues to split
Samantha’s social media pages have also signalled towards her split as she is no longer followed on Instagram by Richard’s two daughters, Sascha and Grace.
However, she is still followed by her now-ex-partner Richard on the platform after she insisted their separation was ‘amicable’.
House hits the market
Samantha also pulled her beautiful home on the NSW south coast off the market just hours before her and Richard’s split made headlines.
Samantha has seemingly been looking for a new companion as she hinted that she was looking for another dog while spending the day with her sister Georgina at a Guide Dogs pop-up
Samantha also pulled her beautiful beachfront home on the NSW south coast off the market just hours before her and Richard’s split made headlines
The three-bedroom, two-bedroom beachfront property had been languishing unsold since last December.
Samantha slashed the original $3million asking price on the Hyams Beach property in September and relisted it with a $2.5million-$3million guide.
But on Thursday morning, the Illawarra Mercury reported that the house had been dropped from the agent’s listing and was no longer for sale.
Though news of Samantha’s split from Richard emerged this week, it is understood that her television presenter friends have been comforting her behind the scenes for some time.
How the split went public
The couple’s separation was planned to be leaked to a Sydney newspaper on Friday but sources confirmed the news to Daily Mail Australia in advance.
‘Yes Richard and I have separated. All break-ups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable and we wish the best for each other,’ Samantha then told media late Thursday evening.
‘I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I won’t be making any further comment.’
It’s understood she has moved out of Richard’s sprawling Southern Highlands home and is now living in an apartment located in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Though news of Samantha’s split from Richard emerged this week, it is understood that her television presenter friends have been comforting her behind the scenes for some time
The couple first started dating in April 2019, and announced their engagement in June 2020 before tying the knot at his property in rural NSW six months later.
The intimate ceremony only featured a small number of guests due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Richard’s daughters believed to have attended.
Amid her marriage breakdown, Samantha has also undergone a huge career change after stepping down from Channel Seven after 21 years with the network.
Describing the departure as ‘sad and bittersweet,’ she said she felt her time had come to an end.
‘I’m big on instinct. I listen to my instinct. I know when the time comes. I am proud of the fact that I back myself enough to say: ‘I’ve done what I can do here’ and I move on,’ she said.
‘This is not the end. It’s just the end of this chapter.’
She has instead moved to rival network Nine and been signed up as the host of brand new reality dating show The Golden Bachelor.
The Golden Bachelor is a spin-off of The Bachelor series, but differs in that the contestants of the reality dating show are singletons in their 50s and 60s.
