MOTHER Pukka influencer has shared the heartbreaking moment she had to tell her kids she was ending the marriage with their dad.
The 44-year-old influencer and journalist, who separated from her partner of 17 years, , in 2023, said it was “the hardest moment” of her life.
The 44-year-old influencer and journalist separated from her partner of 17 years, Matt Farquharson, in 2023Credit: instagram/mother_pukka
Writing for Good Housekeeping, Anna insisted that ending their marriage was “more defeat than divorce”Credit: Getty
Breaking down in tears on the podcast, Anna said telling the news to her girls was “the hardest moment” of her life
Anna Whitehouse, who announced the divorce on Instagram, previously told Grazia : “As I said at the time, I don’t think this is a ‘conscious uncoupling’, but rather a ‘kindly untangling’.”
The ex-couple, who were married for over a decade, also share two wonderful daughters, aged seven and 11.
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Now, a few years later, Anna has revealed the devastating moment she had to .
Appearing on this week’s No Parental Guidance podcast by Fabulous, the author said: “We’d actually separated two years prior to that but we weren’t going to mention anything because I don’t really want to announce this.
“But unfortunately, a lot of incredible women on thought he was having an affair.”
After receiving screenshots, the two realised they finally needed to say something on social media. But then came the hardest part – sharing the heart-breaking news to their kids.
“Nothing ever prepares you for telling your children, I think it’s the biggest fear,” she told hosts and , as well as the audience.
“I am not here to advocate for divorce – it’s not to be gone into lightly, it’s not some happy-go-lucky Hinge story on the other side.”
Writing for Good Housekeeping , Anna insisted that ending their marriage was “more defeat than divorce”.
“We cracked under the pressure of two kids, two jobs and very little ; cracked under a system that’s set up for parents to fail in many ways. And it wasn’t overnight, it was more of a gradual decline with bum squeezes by the dishwasher increasingly replaced by cold distances in bed at night.”
Breaking down in tears on the podcast, she continued: “Telling our little girls that we were divorcing was the hardest moment of my life.
“Also, it’s probably the biggest love story that no one talks about – because my ex and I, we stood outside the door and we anchored ourselves.
“We were like, ‘We can’t cry – we’re not the ones who get to cry here. We have to be calm’.”
After sitting down on their bed, the now ex-partners told the daughters they were ”friends” but were no longer “in love”, and would need to live in separate houses.
“They understood it and were, like, ‘Oh, is that why you’ve been arguing a lot?”’
The “honest conversation” lasted about 20 minutes before the parents hugged their daughters – before one of them said something hilarious.
“And then my youngest one said, ‘Can I go and watch Mamma Mia 2 now?”’
Following the break-up, which involved , the founder of Mother Pukka, married Olly Bretton in a festive London ceremony in December 2025.
The couple met on a dating app and also welcomed a daughter, Lola, who was born in 2024.
She founded the Mother Pukka platform to discuss , launching the FlexAppeal campaign in 2015.
It successfully lobbied for legal rights to flexible working in the UK.
Signs your relationship is heading for a divorce
- Persistent Communication Breakdowns
Constant misunderstandings, arguments, or a complete lack of meaningful conversation can signal deep-seated issues. - Emotional Distance
Feeling like roommates rather than partners, with a noticeable lack of intimacy or emotional connection. - Frequent Criticism and Contempt
Regularly criticising each other and showing contempt, such as sarcasm, eye-rolling, or mocking, can erode the relationship’s foundation. - Unresolved Conflicts
Recurrent arguments about the same issues without any resolution can indicate deeper incompatibilities. - Loss of Trust
Trust is crucial in any relationship. If it’s been broken and cannot be rebuilt, it may be a sign that the relationship is in trouble. - Different Life Goals
Significant differences in future aspirations, such as career goals, lifestyle choices, or family planning, can create insurmountable divides. - Avoidance
Preferring to spend time apart rather than together, whether through work, hobbies, or social activities, can indicate a desire to escape the relationship. - Lack of Support
Feeling unsupported, whether emotionally, financially, or practically, can lead to feelings of isolation and resentment. - Financial Disagreements
Constantly arguing about money, spending habits, or financial priorities can strain the relationship. - Infidelity
Whether physical or emotional, infidelity can be a major breach of trust and a sign of deeper issues in the relationship. - Changes in Affection
A noticeable decrease in affection, physical touch, or romantic gestures can indicate a loss of connection.
Following the break-up, the founder of Mother Pukka married Olly Bretton in a festive London ceremony in December 2025. They welcomed daughter Lola (pictured) in 2024Credit: Instagram
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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