Amor Vittone has spoken out against long-standing claims that she was divorced from the late Springbok rugby star Joost van der Westhuizen at the time of his death in 2017. The singer, actress and former Lotto presenter has now clarified that although the couple were separated, they were still legally married when Joost died.
Her comments come as renewed public interest resurfaces in the personal lives of one of South Africa’s most talked-about celebrity couples.
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‘I am widowed, not divorced’
During a recent interview on Jacaranda FM with Martin Bester, Amor directly addressed speculation about her marital status when Joost passed away from motor neurone disease in February 2017.
“We weren’t divorced. I am widowed,” she said. “Does it make a difference?”
Amor and Joost were married in 2002, in community of property, not long after Joost’s divorce from his first wife, Marlene, was finalised. Their marriage, at first celebrated by fans, later drew heavy tabloid attention due to persistent rumours of infidelity and substance abuse, which both parties consistently denied.
Though they separated in 2010 and lived in different homes, they never legally ended the marriage. Amor has previously shared that she remained emotionally and practically supportive of Joost during his illness, visiting him often with their two children, Jordan and Kylie.
Disputed legacy and an ongoing legal battle
After Joost’s death, public attention shifted to the contents of his will. A revised version, reportedly drawn up in 2015, appointed his brother Pieter as executor and left the bulk of Joost’s estate to his children via a trust. Amor was left only a television set.
However, Amor has argued that a 2009 joint will naming her as Joost’s sole heir is the only valid version. The dispute has sparked a protracted legal battle, including an application for leave to appeal through the Supreme Court. In 2018, Amor publicly vowed that she would “appeal to death” to ensure the matter was fairly resolved.
Speaking in a later interview on Laataand by Rian, she recalled Joost writing her a heartfelt letter in which he expressed regret and asked for forgiveness. According to Amor, he had always promised to look after her and their children, a sentiment she believes was never meant to be forgotten.
A story still unfolding
Amor Vittone and Joost van der Westhuizen’s relationship may have ended in separation, but their bond and shared history remain a point of public fascination. Their love story was complicated, but deeply human, shaped by fame, adversity and personal growth.
Years after his passing, Amor continues to defend both Joost’s legacy and her place in it — not out of bitterness, but to preserve the truth as she lived it. Her story is one of resilience, loyalty and a refusal to let assumptions overshadow the full picture.
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Featured Image: Facebook | @amor.vittone
