Long-term relationships can be a challenge,” actress Toni Collette admitted in 2019, during an interview for her racy TV series Wanderlust, and now it appears she was right.
Sadly for Toni, new pictures of her husband of nearly 20 years Dave Galafassi kissing Sydneysider Shannon Egan, 41, prompted the actress to reveal she has in fact called time on her marriage to Dave, with who she shares daughter Sage, 14, and son Arlo, 11.
“It is with grace and gratitude that we announce we are divorcing,” the pair wrote. “We’re united in our decision and part with continuing respect and care for each other.”
Toni confirmed her kids “are of paramount importance” to the pair and said the four of them will continue to thrive as a family, “albeit a different shape”.
“We’re thankful for the space and love you grant us as we evolve and move through this transition peacefully. Big thanks,” she concluded.
Enjoying Sydney’s warm weather last week, Dave and the bikini-clad woman were seen frolicking in the waves before embracing with a kiss in front of Manly locals.
Interestingly, just a week earlier Toni appeared to have deleted her Instagram, which once included pictures of Dave – particularly following his terrifying motorcycle incident in 2019 – before starting afresh with a new account that was noticeably absent of mentions of him.
Toni announced the divorce on Instagram.
(Image: Getty)The Muriel’s Wedding star met her musician husband in 2002 at an album launch before marrying in a traditional Buddhist ceremony in January 2003.
Three years ago, Toni confessed, “Not everyone grows at the same time. It’s certainly full of ups and downs,” of marriage, revealing, “Talking to older married couples when I was younger, they’d say, ‘The secret to staying married is staying married.’
“Now I understand and think it’s kind of true! You both have to want to make it work.”
While it has been some time since Dave and Toni have been seen out publicly, Toni has never avoided speaking about the complexities of her own marriage.
In 2018, she told Stellar that juggling her huge career and family had proven “maddening” at times but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now it seems Toni and her husband are on a new path and looking to a better future apart.
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