Reality TV personality Annie Mthembu has spoken candidly about the end of her marriage to Durban businessman Kgolo Mthembu, revealing that they have been separated for nearly three years.
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Addressing the rumours
Annie, who rose to fame on the popular Showmax series The Real Housewives of Durban, confirmed the split during an appearance on the Engineer Your Life with Lungelo KM podcast. It is the same platform where, two years ago, she had defended her marriage against infidelity rumours.
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“For a long time, I have had to fight in my heart to forgive him,” she admitted. “It’s going to take a lot of time, and in December it will be three years since our separation.”
Her confirmation follows months of speculation that the pair, whose relationship played out on screen, had gone their separate ways.
Strain behind the scenes
During her latest interview, Annie opened up about the emotional toll of dealing with alleged infidelity. She explained how she chose to protect her marriage in the public eye, even while privately grappling with feelings of betrayal.
“No one likes to be cheated on. It makes you question yourself — am I enough, is there something wrong with me? In admitting that I was being cheated on, I felt like I was saying I wasn’t good enough,” she said.
The businesswoman recalled feeling embarrassed and determined to shield her family from public scrutiny. “Even though I knew he was doing his thing, I still wanted us to be a family.”
A relationship in the spotlight
Annie first met Kgolo in 2016 when she worked as his personal assistant. Their romance led to a lavish white wedding at La Paris Estate in Franschhoek in 2021, styled with full Gatsby-inspired grandeur.
Their marriage, however, was often subject to public speculation, especially following Annie’s appearances on The Real Housewives of Durban. Earlier this year, Kgolo spoke on the Mo and Phindi podcast about the strain the show placed on their relationship, although he stopped short of blaming it directly.
A new chapter
Annie has since relocated to Cape Town, signalling a fresh start. Despite the deeply personal challenges, she continues to focus on her family and business ventures, while embracing life away from the high-pressure glare of reality TV.
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Featured Image: Instagram | mrsannbition
