I felt so betrayed by my ‘narcissist’ husband, says Hendry’s ex-wife
THE former wife of snooker champion Stephen Hendry has hit out at his ‘betrayal’ in leaving her for a younger woman.
Amanda Hendry has spoken out publicly for the first time, branding her ex-husband a ‘narcissist’ who squandered his fortune and sacrificed his family for his career.
In a furious response to a new autobiography by the 49-year-old seventimes world champion, she says he has rarely seen their sons Blaine, 21, and Carter, 14, since walking out of the family home in December 2013.
Mrs Hendry, 50, who was married to the snooker ace for 19 years, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I thought we had the perfect marriage and I trusted him more than anyone in the world.
‘It wasn’t until I filed for divorce that I discovered the true extent of his betrayal. I really thought that no matter what he had done to me, he could have been a real part of his children’s lives. But we’ve waited five years for him to have time in his selfish life for them. While he was playing and winning, we were very happy. It was all fine until he started losing, then everything began to go downhill.’
In his book, Hendry admits he ended his career with debts. His wife recalls: ‘He then told me we needed to cash in our pensions. I just signed the paperwork. Now I realise how very stupid I was.’
Mr Hendry met former children’s entertainer Lauren Thundow when she was selling merchandise after a snooker exhibition. He confessed to his wife days after their 18th wedding anniversary.
‘It was like getting hit by a train,’ said Mrs Hendry. ‘When he told me she was 23, I was stunned. Never in a million years did I think he would cheat on me – and with a silly girl.’ A spokesman for Hendry said: ‘In Stephen’s book and in his interviews he has made it clear that without the support of his ex-wife and his family he wouldn’t have been able to pursue his successful career. He pays regular maintenance.’
‘I never thought he would cheat on me’