Tara Pavlovic, a former star of The Bachelor, has opened up about her decision to separate from her husband, Nick Shepherdson, after five years of marriage. The 36-year-old mother of two announced the split in April, describing it as a necessary step taken primarily for the sake of her children.
Putting Kids First Amid Mental Health Struggles
Pavlovic explained that the separation followed a year of relationship difficulties and served as a ‘last resort.’ She emphasized prioritizing her mental health to benefit her family. ‘Having a mother who is not coping mentally is not in the kids’ best interests,’ she stated. ‘I left to put myself first, but I also left to put them first, because I wasn’t coping at all with the way things were.’
Observers on social media noted her struggles over the past year. As a single mother now, Pavlovic acknowledges the challenges: ‘It’s really hard. We’re blessed, but it’s really difficult.’ She stresses that the move does not endorse divorce and refuses to glamorize it.
Instagram Announcement Details Emotional Journey
In an April Instagram post, Pavlovic addressed speculation directly: ‘Nick and I have separated. This hasn’t been a quick or easy decision. It’s something we’ve been trying to work through for a long time.’ She described the previous eight months as ‘incredibly challenging,’ admitting she had appeared ‘an absolute mess’ in her content.
Pavlovic highlighted her children’s central role in the decision: ‘Our kids will always be our priority, and everything I’ve done has been with them at the centre of it. As hard as this is, I truly believe this is the best thing for them, because they deserve a happy, present mum.’
She noted a physical relief post-separation, releasing built-up 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.’ Pavlovic plans to keep split details private to protect her children, focusing on healthy co-parenting. Despite optimism for the future, she added, ‘Do I believe in love anymore? Absolutely not. But I hope one day I will again.’
Family and Relationship Background
The couple shares son Paddy, four, and daughter Edi-Rae, three. They married in an intimate September 2020 ceremony after postponing their April wedding due to the pandemic. Pavlovic announced her first pregnancy in October 2020.
Their romance became public in August 2018, shortly after Pavlovic’s separation from her Bachelor in Paradise fiancé. The pair had known each other for a decade prior. Pavlovic first gained fame on Matty ‘J’ Johnson’s season of The Bachelor in 2017.
