'The kids needed a parent who was present': Russell Crowe's ex-wife on parenting and her career

Russell Crowe’s ex-wife, Danielle Spencer, has opened up about raising the couple’s two boys while the Aussie actor’s career went from strength to strength.

Danielle, who lives in Sydney with their children, Charlie, 16, and Tennyson, 14, told Stellar she felt like she ‘couldn’t prioritise’ her career as Russell’s took off.

“It was difficult because I always felt that to keep our family together both of us couldn’t be working and there came a point where I had to prioritise the kids, where they needed to be and their schooling,” the 51-year-old, who is set to star in Channel 7’s The All New Monty: Guys And Gals, said.

“Obviously Russell’s career was going gangbusters and I just felt like, ‘This is not my time.’ I absolutely love being a mother and I wouldn’t change a thing, but I didn’t feel I could prioritise my career for a while there. The kids needed a parent who was present.”

The actress and singer previously told News.com.au that motherhood “changes you on a fundamental level”.

“It takes you away from focusing on yourself, which is a great thing. It shifts your emphasis off yourself and onto someone else, and that feels like a healthier place to be,” she said.

Danielle and Russell met on the set of The Crossing in 1989, however it wasn’t until 2003 that the pair tied the knot on his farm near Coffs Harbour.

Sadly, in 2012 they called it quits, however they’re still on good terms, with Danielle telling Stellar they “have a lot of respect for each other”.

“The marriage ended, but that didn’t mean our friendship ended,” she said.

Russell previously told the UK’s Sunday Times: “Once I commit to something, I stick with it, so you never know… I’ve loved Danielle Spencer since 1989; that’s never going to change.”

Danielle is now happily in a four-year relationship with Adam Long.

Sign up to our daily newsletter here to get all the latest news and hacks. Or get in touch at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.