Footy icon Wally Lewis fights back tears as he apologises for rift with his children over new wife - and extends an olive branch
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Footy icon Wally Lewis has become emotional while making rare comments about his rift with his children as he apologised for the split caused by his marriage to second wife Lynda.
Lewis's adult children Mitch, 40, Lincoln, 38, and Jamie-Lee, 36, have rejected him since he moved on from first wife Jacqui with his new love.
The rugby league legend known as 'The King' reportedly proposed to Lynda in late 2024, three years after his split from Jacqui after 36 years of marriage.
None of his children attended his second wedding, which was held in Brisbane in April last year.
Lynda's daughter Sydney, in contrast, was there to see the couple tie the knot at a heritage-listed church on the banks of the Brisbane River.
Lewis was on the verge of tears as he spoke out about the 'sad' situation, which one source close to the family recently said presents 'zero chance' of reconciliation.
Wally Lewis and his first wife Jacqui are pictured with their children (left to right) Lincoln, Jamie-Lee and Mitch
In a rare comment on his family rift, an emotional Lewis (pictured with Jacqui) apologised to his children and said he is 'very proud of them'
Lincoln, Jamie-Lee and Mitch refused to attend when Lewis married his second wife Lynda (pictured together) in April last year
'I had a bit of a tough time in my life and sad departure from my family,' the former Broncos and State of Origin star told News Corp.
'I don't feel good about that and I don't get the chance to spend much time with my kids.
'They are three wonderful kids and I'm very sorry it affected them.
'But I'm very proud of them and the support they give their mother.'
The remarks are a rare departure for Lewis, who has previously stayed very private about the rift.
He went on to explain one of the things that attracted him to Lynda when they first met.
'Lynda knows nothing about football,' the 66-year-old said.
'You could ask her about [Lewis's fellow footy legend] Arthur Beetson and she'd have no idea.
When Lewis first revealed his romance with Lynda, he said of his family, 'I hope over time we can rebuild our ties and move on with life'
'The King' praised Lincoln, Jamie-Lee (pictured) and Mitch for 'the support they give their mother' as he opened up about the 'sad' split
'When we were first introduced she said, "Who’s Wally Lewis? What does he do?" It made me happy because I didn't have to talk about footy.
'We’re happy and we’re getting on with life.'
Lewis revealed his split with Jacqui in a statement released through his employer Channel Nine in February 2021.
'Wally and Jacqui Lewis separated last year after 36 years of marriage. It has been a difficult time for everyone in the family and they are still working through the details of the separation,' the statement said.
'This is a deeply personal matter that we do not want to discuss publicly, but I want to acknowledge the pain and upset my family has gone through since Jacqui and I separated last year.
'I hope over time we can rebuild our ties and move on with life.
'It has been a difficult time for everyone in the family and they are still working through the details of the separation.'
'I will confirm I am now in another relationship.'
Lewis married Jacqui in November 1984, and he has previously opened up about how she was a rock for him when he was diagnosed with epilepsy after having a seizure on live TV while reading the sport on Nine's news bulletin.
The 66-year-old also revealed one of the things that first attracted him to Lynda is the fact she knows nothing about footy and took him on face value
Lewis (pictured right playing for Queensland in 1990) is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of rugby league
A family insider recently told Woman's Day that Lewis and his kids are 'zero chance' of reconciling.
'As the gap widens and the silence deepens, because Mitch, Lincoln, and Jamie-Lee are so close, they actually support one another when it comes to their feelings about their dad,' the insider said.
'There's so much that went down in that family. The kids will never get past what their father did to their mother. She is the family rock, and they see having their father back in their lives as the ultimate betrayal of their mum.
'It may sound cruel, but they actually don't need their father in their lives. And they most certainly don't need his new wife.'
Earlier this year Lewis praised Lynda for her 'patience' as he deals with health issues including epilepsy and the debilitating brain disorder chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
'My partner Lynda has been fantastic through it, and has been very patient,' he told the Howie Games podcast.
The 'Emperor of Lang Park' also sent a loving message to his wife for her 59th birthday late last month.
'Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife Lynda…just one year away from joining me in the 60's club. I look forward to celebrating many more with you and perhaps it might be time for us to invest in some walking sticks soon!' he wrote.
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