Bachelor star Tara Pavlovic announces split: “Our kids will always be our priority”
Tara Pavlovic shares marriage breakdown and says her kids “deserve a happy, present mum”.
Former Bachelor star Tara Pavlovic has announced she’s separated from her husband, Nick Shepherdson, after five years of marriage.
The mum-of-two shared the news in a candid Instagram post on Monday, April 6, choosing to speak directly to followers amid growing speculation.
“I know there’s been a lot of speculation about what’s been going on in my life lately, so I wanted to share this in my own words. Nick and I have separated,” the 36-year-old wrote.
“This hasn’t been a quick or easy decision”
Tara made it clear the pair had been working on their relationship for quite some time.
“This hasn’t been a quick or easy decision,” she shared. “It’s something we’ve been trying to work through for a long time, and for a while, I honestly didn’t even know what the outcome would be.”
After months of reflection, she says she’s made peace with the decision. “But after a lot of thought, I’ve come to the decision that this is what’s best moving forward.”
The emotional toll behind the scenes
Opening up about the past year, Tara admitted things have been far from easy. “The last eight months have been incredibly challenging, and I know many of you have probably felt that through my content as I have been an absolute mess,” she wrote.
“There’s been a lot happening behind the scenes, and a lot I’ve been processing privately.”
She also revealed the physical impact of carrying that stress. “I don’t think I fully realised how much it was affecting me until I started to feel calm again. Sometimes your body knows long before your mind is ready to accept it.”
“Our kids will always be our priority”
At the centre of it all are the couple’s two children, son Paddy, four, and daughter Edi-Rae, three.
“Our kids will always be our priority, and everything I’ve done has been with them at the centre of it,” Tara said.
“As hard as this is, I truly believe this is the best thing for them, because they deserve a happy, present mum and I finally feel like I’m getting back to that place.”
Choosing privacy for her kids
While acknowledging public curiosity, Tara drew a clear boundary around what she’ll share. “I know there’s curiosity, but with children involved, some things will remain private,” she wrote.
“My priorities here are the kids and making sure the co-parenting relationship is healthy for them.”
Despite the heartbreak, she says she’s starting to feel like herself again. “I’m finally feeling back in alignment with myself, and for the first time in a long time, I feel excited for what’s ahead.”
“Do I believe in love anymore? Absolutely not. But I hope one day I will again.”
Her message ended on a positive note: “Onwards and upwards! It’s time to dance in the rain.”
From reality TV to family life
Tara first rose to fame on Matty ‘J’ Johnson’s season of The Bachelor in 2017, quickly becoming a fan favourite, and later appeared on Bachelor in Paradise in 2018.
She went on to find love with Nick Shepherdson, with the pair tying the knot in an intimate ceremony in September 2020.
Co-parenting tips that actually help
Keep kids out of it: Avoid venting about your ex in front of them as it puts pressure where it doesn’t belong.
Consistency is everything: Try to align routines, rules and expectations across both homes.
Communicate like a team: Keep conversations respectful and focused on the kids, even when it’s hard.
Let go of perfection: Co-parenting isn’t always smooth, aim for “good enough” and stable.
Protect your own wellbeing: A calmer, supported parent = a more secure child.
