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Polly Gillespie reveals the truth behind her marriage split

The radio host opens up about the truth behind her split from Grant Kereama.
Polly Gillespie

The Hits broadcaster Polly Gillespie has revealed she felt suicidal after her marriage breakdown in an exclusive tell-all with Woman’s Day.

In a powerful self-penned story published one year on from her separation, Polly says she blames herself for the “failure” of her marriage to The Hits breakfast co-host Grant Kereama after a 30-year relationship – and believes her battle with alcoholism was a key contributor.

“I was not a good wife. I don’t think it can ever be easy living with someone who is an addict,” writes the Woman’s Day columnist. “Grant put up with so much. He managed to find a way to keep our family together while desperately wanting me to stop drinking. I tried and I meant it every time I promised.”

Polly is opening up about the real reason her marriage broke down in an exclusive tell-all with Woman’s Day.

Polly has now been sober four and a half years, but she says by that time she “had done a lot of damage to her marriage” … and she was a changed person too. And Grant was “shell shocked.”

“Life is short. I was robbing both me and Grant [the chance] of being truly happy.”

However, her decision to move out of her Wellington home away from her husband and three children left her wracked with pain and guilt, admitting “I have had moments when I truly believed life would be easier over.”

Polly reveals that despite the sorrow of her marriage ending, today she has found happiness with a new partner and assures readers and listeners “I am very OK.” She also is pleased Grant has found happiness with a new partner too.

Listen to the moment Polly and Grant announced their split. Story continues below

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In her first-person piece, Polly says she and Grant will always be bound together forever as “best mates and proud parents” and she still loves working with her ex on The Hits breakfast show.

“On a Monday morning, I just want to give him a big ol’ hug because I’ve missed his wee face over the weekend.”

The popular Woman’s Day columnist says she is “finding her joy” again and feels like she has a “chance a brand new life and living from a totally different angle.”

For Polly’s full story about sobriety, separating and starting over, read this week’s Woman’s Day, on-sale nationally on Monday July 25.

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