Samantha Armytage's $1.3 million move amid shock split from husband

Between changes to her personal life and updates in her career, Samantha Armytage has had quite a busy year. The TV star, who was recently announced as host of The Golden Bachelor on Channel Nine after leaving Farmer Wants A Wife, confirmed last week that she had split from her husband Richard Lavender after almost four years of marriage.

It’s since been revealed that Samantha has been busy renovating a single-level property in Moss Vale which she purchased for $1.3 million in May. According to realestate.com.au, she has “neared completion” on the 1960s three-bedroom home which was marketed as “exuding timeless character amid a lush mature garden”.

“Each room is filled with potential, offering the canvas for your personal touch and modern updates while retaining the home’s nostalgic allure,” the online listing read.

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The property is said to be a 12-minute drive from the farm she shared with her estranged equestrian businessman husband in Berrima.

What other properties does Samantha own?

Samantha sold her luxury five-bedroom cottage in Burrawang for $3.1m in 2020 before moving to the Southern Highlands, as well as her $3.15 million home in North Bondi.

She also tried to sell her Hyams Beach cottage for $3.2 million last year after purchasing it for $1.765 million in 2018, however, it was recently taken off the market.

The former Sunrise host also owns a two-bedroom waterfront property in Rushcutters Bay which she purchased for $1.575 million in 2021 and is where she is reportedly living following her split.

Twist in Samantha's shock split from her husband

While news of Samantha’s split came as quite a surprise to most people last week, an insider has told Yahoo Lifestyle the break-up has been widely speculated within the TV industry for months thanks to one telling clue.

Samantha’s big return to the spotlight after moving from Channel Seven to Channel Nine is believed to be the major hint something wasn't right within her relationship.

“As soon as Samantha announced she was leaving Seven for Nine and making a big TV comeback, we all started suspecting something had happened as her main reason for initially quitting Sunrise was to be with him and settle down away from the industry,” our source shares.

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After the split was announced, it was speculated that tensions between the TV host and Richard's adult daughters caused the marriage breakdown. However, this has not been confirmed.

An insider tells Yahoo Lifestyle: “Sam’s been keeping the details pretty quiet but the impression everyone gets is she just wasn’t ready to retire and give everything up yet, which is more likely to have caused tensions as Rich is notoriously private.”

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