Samantha Armytage has spoken publicly for the first time about the difficult fertility battle she experienced privately during her marriage to ex-husband Richard Lavender. The 50-year-old former Sunrise host shared her emotional story on her new podcast, Act Two, detailing her unsuccessful IVF journey and the grief associated with abandoning her hope of becoming a mother.
In the podcast episode released Wednesday, Armytage reflected on a challenging period of her life. She noted that while many women share successful fertility stories, those whose treatments do not yield the desired outcome face a different reality. "There is a unique kind of grief in letting go of that specific future," she said. "Many high-profile women are happy to talk about IVF when the journey is successful. But coming to terms with a failed IVF journey takes time. And there is a unique kind of grief in letting go of that specific future."
Armytage married businessman Richard Lavender in December 2020 in Bowral. At the time of their wedding, Armytage was 44 and Lavender was 60. The couple separated in 2024 after nearly four years of marriage, but Armytage emphasized that the fertility struggles were not the cause of their divorce.
The presenter revealed she had been privately attempting to start a family while simultaneously navigating significant professional changes. Her fertility journey coincided with her departure from Sunrise in 2021, a move that generated considerable speculation due to the show's strong ratings and reports of her substantial salary. Armytage had told viewers at the time that she wished to step back from public life for a quieter pace and to spend time with family.
"While that chapter didn't close the way we initially wanted, and I add, it was not the reason for that marriage to end... it opened up a different beautiful path for me," Armytage shared on her podcast. She stated that she has found fulfillment through her existing family relationships, adding, "I am so incredibly grateful to the family I do have. Being an aunt is one of the most important roles in my life, to my nieces and nephews and to all of my friends' children too."
Armytage also appeared to become emotional when mentioning her Labrador, Banjo, who passed away in 2024.