Hollywood actress Janet Montgomery has revealed she secretly split from her husband just 10 days after the birth of their second baby.
Montgomery – who stars on hit shows such as medical drama New Amsterdam and most recently in the crime series Scarpetta opposite Nicole Kidman – shared the personal news on Instagram on Tuesday, saying that she and husband Joe Fox actually quietly split 10 months ago but she’s only mustered the strength to speak about it publicly now.
“Last year, my life changed in a way I never could have imagined,” the 40-year-old began in her lengthy post.
“Just ten days after welcoming my beautiful son into the world, I found myself navigating the heartbreak of becoming a single mother to two children. There were moments I wasn’t sure how I would make it through the next hour, let alone the next day. Grief, exhaustion, fear, uncertainty, and the overwhelming responsibility of showing up for two little people who needed me no matter what.”
Montgomery said her online community helped her navigate some of the “darkest days” of her life – and while many of her followers had no idea about her situation, their support was what held her and her children (daughter Sunday, 7, and son Milo, 10 months) together.
“Over the past ten months, so many of you have followed along as I shared the messy, beautiful, painful, joyful reality of rebuilding a life,” she reflected.
“You celebrated Sunday’s milestones, watched Milo grow, checked in on me during the darkest days, and reminded me that even through a screen, people can show extraordinary kindness.”
“Being vulnerable online can feel frightening, but your messages, comments, encouragement, and support have often arrived exactly when I needed them most,” she added.
“You have laughed with us, cried with us, rooted for us, and carried us in ways you probably don’t even realise.”
The star went on to say this chapter has “tested me more than any other in my life” but she is feeling “a little less alone” thanks to the love and support she’s received both online and off.
Montgomery began dating Fox, a creative director and copywriter, in 2017. They went on to marry in Jamaica in November 2019, just 8 months after welcoming their daughter Sunday that same year.
The actress did not share a reason for the shock split from Fox, who she once called her “best friend”.
“On the 29th of November 2019 I made an honest man of my best friend and the love of my life,” she wrote on Instagram six years ago when sharing a wedding photo with fans.
“This was one of the greatest days of my life. Thank you to everyone who helped make it perfect and intimate.”