Samantha Armytage has been experiencing a lot of excitement as she prepares to re-enter the dating pool following her split from husband Richard Lavender.
Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on Thursday that the TV presenter, 48, and her equestrian businessman husband, 61, have gone their separate ways.
The couple married on Richard’s 40-hectare property in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales on New Year’s Eve 2020, but split “amicably” on the eve of their fourth wedding anniversary.
While news of the split has only just emerged publicly, it is understood that Samantha’s TV star friends have been comforting her behind the scenes for some time.
And Samantha has already undergone a major makeover as she adjusts to her new single life, as she made a series of very glamorous appearances in recent weeks.
The former Farmer Wants A Wife presenter was last photographed with Richard on September 5, when she showed off her very relaxed style while strolling through Sydney Airport.
Samantha Armytage has been experiencing a lot of excitement as she prepares to re-enter the dating pool following her split from husband Richard Lavender (left in September and right in November).
Returning from her 48th birthday trip to Noosa, Samantha showed off her unique style in beige trousers and a cream blouse, which she teamed with a wide-brimmed straw hat.
However, it would become the last time they were photographed together publicly before their marriage collapsed, and Samantha was seen alone in recent weeks.
At the 2024 Melbourne Cup, Samantha showed she was embracing her new single life as she went all out in a glamorous outfit for a day at Flemington Racecourse.
Samantha attended the festivities without her husband Richard, who also works in the equestrian business, and instead socialized with a host of Australian stars.
For the fun-filled day of November 5, Samantha put on a very stylish display in a gorgeous red off-the-shoulder dress with dramatic puff sleeves.
Following tradition, the incoming Channel Nine presenter placed a red-dyed headpiece in her golden hair to complete her stunning ensemble.
Still wearing her wedding ring, Samantha fully embraced the race day dress code as she posed for the cameras, standing tall as she stepped out alone at the glitzy event.
She has been a regular on the racing circuit this year and had also stepped out in style a few days earlier at Flemington Racecourse for Derby Day.
The former Farmer Wants A Wife host was last photographed with Richard on September 5, when she showed off her relaxed style while strolling through Sydney Airport.
At the 2024 Melbourne Cup, Samantha showed she was embracing her new single life as she went all out in a glamorous outfit for a day at Flemington Racecourse.
The former Sunrise presenter showed off her fashion credentials in a stunning black midi dress with sparkly buttons and white collar details.
She completed her fashionable ensemble with a pair of pointy heels and carried her essentials in a sleek white bag.
Just a few weeks earlier in October, Samantha had begun teasing her major fashion makeover while walking at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.
On October 19, she cut a chic figure in a black dress with a pleated skirt as she dressed to the nines for the day at TAB Everest Day.
Samantha accessorized her look with a pair of pointy black pumps and tied a straw hat with a very dramatic bow over her golden locks to finish off her look.
The television star is known for making bold fashion statements and does not shy away from showing off her designer wardrobe in her numerous public appearances.
Her husband Richard has rarely joined her at public events over the years, but they notably went out together at Royal Randwick Racecourse for the 2021 races.
However, Samantha ushered in her new chapter during the 2024 racing season with her bold and glamorous outfits while stepping out alone while celebrating her single era.
During a fun-filled day on November 5, Samantha put on a very stylish display in a gorgeous red off-the-shoulder dress with dramatic puff sleeves.
Samantha ushered in her new chapter during the 2024 racing season with her daring and glamorous outfits as she stepped out alone (pictured at Royal Randwick Racecourse).
Her husband Richard has rarely joined her at public events over the years, but they notably went out together at Royal Randwick Racecourse for the 2021 races (pictured).
Samantha and Richard’s split 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 breakups are difficult, but it is alleviated a little by the fact that they are amicable and we wish each other the best,” Samantha told the media on Thursday night.
‘I appreciate you respecting our privacy. “I will not comment further.”
It is understood she has already moved out of Richard’s sprawling home in the Southern Highlands and is now living in an apartment located in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The couple began dating in April 2019 and announced their engagement in June 2020 before tying the knot at their property in rural New South Wales six months later.
The intimate ceremony only had a small number of guests due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Richard’s daughters are believed to have attended.
Amid the breakdown of her marriage, Samantha also experienced a big career change after leaving Channel Seven after 21 years at the network.
Describing his departure as “sad and bittersweet”, he said he felt his time had come to an end.
Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on Thursday that the TV presenter, 48, and her equestrian businessman husband, 61, have gone their separate ways.
‘I have great instincts. I listen to my instinct. I know when the time comes. “I’m proud that I backed myself enough to say, ‘I’ve done what I can do here,’ and I’m moving forward,” she said.
‘This is not the end. It’s just the end of this chapter.
Instead, she moved to rival network Nine and signed up to host new reality dating show The Golden Bachelor.
The Golden Bachelor is a spin-off of the series The Bachelor, but it differs in that the contestants of the reality dating show are singles between 50 and 60 years old.