Samantha Armytage splits from millionaire husband Richard Lavender just shy of their four-year wedding anniversary

EXCLUSIVE 

Samantha Armytage has separated from her husband Richard Lavender, just shy of four years of marriage. 

Armytage and Lavender tied the knot at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands in NSW on New Year’s Eve in 2020. 

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 breakups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable and we wish the best for each other,’ Armytage told media late Thursday evening. 

‘I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I won’t be making any further comment.’

It’s understood Armytage’s television presenter friends have been comforting the 48-year-old TV star behind the scenes for some time, following their split. 

Armytage is no longer followed on Instagram by the 61-year-old equestrian businessman’s two daughters, Sascha and Grace, although the former couple still follow each other. 

It’s understood Armytage has moved out of Lavender’s Southern Highlands home and is now living in her apartment located in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. 

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Armytage for comment. 

The former Farmer Wants a Wife host and Lavender 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. 

In a beautiful moment captured by photographer Abbie Melle, Armytage was seen holding hands with her new husband as they strolled across his Southern Highlands estate on New Year’s Eve, shortly after saying ‘I do’.

She captioned the heartwarming picture, which was taken after their wedding ceremony but before their reception, ‘11.58am on a Thursday. How lucky are we?’ 

The intimate ceremony only featured a small number of guests due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Richard’s daughters believed to have attended.

Armytage also posted a photo from later in the evening, which showed the couple cuddling alongside the words: ‘HNY from the Lav’s’.

It’s been a tough year for Armytage who recently signed on as host of Nine’s new reality dating show The Golden Bachelor.

In February, she lost her beloved dog Banjo. 

She said the family believed the dog was bitten by a snake while staying with her father near Wagga Wagga.

She shared pictures of herself posing with the six-year-old Labrador Retriever as she looked back on her precious memories with him.

In a caption, she shared a quote from Winnie the Pooh as she paid tribute to her pet.

‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard,’ she wrote. 

‘Three weeks ago yesterday, I said goodbye to my darling boy, Banjo. My heart is completely broken.

‘He was my best mate, my baby & my shadow.. & I don’t know what I’m going to do without him.

‘He has gone before his time – he was staying with dad near Wagga, & we think he may have been bitten by a snake.

‘It was very sudden and I want to thank our vet who fought so, so hard to save him. We are all so sad.

‘There is another star in heaven these days. Vale Banjo.’