'Hard to address it publicly': Former Bachelor star Tara Pavlovic opens up on her marriage breakdown for the first time

EXCLUSIVE – When former Bachelor star Tara Pavlovic separated from husband Nick Shepardson, she found it "hard to address" the situation publicly.

Opening up about her marriage breakdown for the first time, the mum of two told nine.com.au the positive response from her fans has meant everything.

"Obviously I don't want to share the ins and outs of that, and people are so curious, which I totally understand, but everyone's been really supportive," Pavlovic, 36, said.

"I know that, probably, most women I know struggle in their marriages ... obviously, I don't want to normalise everyone getting a divorce. It was a last resort, and I don't want to ever glamourise it or anything like that.

"But my community have always been so supportive, and I think it's been pretty clear that I've been struggling for almost a year now, on my socials.

"When I announced it, people were just so supportive and kind and just like, 'It's OK, you'll get through it.'" 

Pavlovic addressed the split from Shepardson, whom she married in September 2020, online on April 6 via an Instagram statement. At the time, commenters had started to question where Shepardson was on her recent posts.

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The decision to separate wasn't one she made lightly, and her kids, who are four and three, were a big factor in why she stayed in the relationship for so long despite struggling. 

"It gets to a time where your body will tell you that it's time to make a change," Pavlovic said. 

"Having a mother who is not coping mentally is not in the kids' best interests. 

"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."

She hopes the decision, although it's been hard, is going to benefit everyone in the long run. 

It's also given her a chance to step back and look at how much mums actually do for the family now she's out of the situation.

The former reality star has come to realise how much of a toll the mental load was taking on her, and why she was so exhausted.

"It never ends," she said of the mental load that comes with being a mum.

"It's really hard. We're blessed, but it's really difficult."

She thinks mums don't necessarily get the recognition they deserve for how much they do, especially stay-at-home mums.

The constant juggle is why Pavlovic partnered with Moonpig ahead of Mother's Day, because they make sending personal gifts quick and easy – which is what matters.

"It is such an easy and meaningful way to send someone a gift," she explained.

"People will keep it and have that by the bed to look at and read. It's just super special, you can even put photos of all of your kids in there as well."

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