'Extremely lucky': Michael Clarke reveals secret to marriage split
Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has opened up on his marriage split with Kyly Boldy.
The 39-year-old recently went public about his new relationship with fashion designer Pip Edwards, but says he still remains good friends with his ex-wife.
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The pair announced in a joint statement in February that their seven-year marriage was ending, while revealing that they remained committed to co-parenting daughter Kelsey Lee.
Clarke says his role as a father has been made so much easier by how amicable his split with Kyly has been.
“I think I’m extremely lucky to have been able to go through a separation with the mother of my child and us still be great friends,” Clarke said on KISS 1065’s Kyle and Jackie O Show.
“I actually think Kyly and my friendship now is as strong as it’s ever been. We still talk daily and I think you’ve heard Kyly say as well both of us will always prioritise our daughter and a big part of that is a friendship between mum and dad.”
The former cricket star admits he and Kyly were fortunate in that they had several months to adapt to life apart, before news of their split was made public.
“We were lucky in a sense that we went through our separation five or six months before it touched the media so that allowed us the time to deal with (it),” Clarke said.
“Like any break-up it’s always tough, so thankfully we were able to do that before it got out to the media.
“There’s a lot worse things in life. We’ve got a great relationship, a beautiful little girl and we move forward.”
Relationship between parents key for Clarke
Clarke revealed a recent incident in which his daughter wanted to see her mum while she was in the care of the retired cricketer.
The 39-year-old proceeded to drive his daughter to Kyly's house, where the three of them hung out together.
“It’s probably easier to do when your child’s so young but I would hope that’s mine and Kyly’s relationship forever,” he said.
“That our daughter is No. 1, we keep our friendship strong and we do what’s best for her.
“There’s always other people involved. There’s families, there’s friends, if there’s a new person there’s that as well so you’re trying to stay respectful to everyone. It’s easier said than done.”
Clarke played 115 Tests and 245 one-day internationals for Australia, scoring over 17,000 runs at international level.
He has since forged a successful career in the media, while Kyly was one of the new judges on Channel 7 renovation show House Rules this year.
She also runs her own company ‘Lyfestyled by Kyly Clarke’.
