Journalist Kate Legge exposes Fairfax CEO ex-husband Greg Hywood’s cheating in new memoir

The long-time CEO of newspaper publisher Fairfax Media is about to have his marital cheating exposed in a tell-all memoir written by his journalist ex-wife.

The adultery of Greg Hywood, who ran the company now known as Nine Publishing from 2010 to 2018, will be put under the microscope by Kate Legge in her new book Infidelity and Other Affairs. 

Legge, a novelist and senior writer for the Weekend Australian Magazine, separated from Hywood on the eve of their 30th wedding anniversary. 

Her latest book is set to rake over that marriage breakdown as well as a history of unfaithfulness in Hywood’s family.

Kate Legge and Greg Hywood (above) separated on the eve of their 30th wedding anniversary. Legge writes about their marriage in her new book Infidelity and Other Affairs   

‘As a journalist, Kate Legge often seeks answers to how people reckon with bad luck or bad decisions,’ a publicity blurb for Infidelity and Other Affairs states.

‘When faced with her husband’s affair, she discovered a fault line of betrayal running through four generations of his family, which began a search for answers both close to home and more universally.’

Promotional material for an appearance by the author at Balmain’s Royal Oak Hotel next month leaves no doubt who Legge is writing about. 

‘Throughout this searing book, she confronts with clear head and inspiring tenacity the infidelity of her former high-profile partner, Greg Hywood,’ it says. 

The book has already received praise from ABC commentator Annabel Crabb, who described it as ‘so gripping I crashed into a bin while reading it’.

The book has already received praise from ABC commentator Annabel Crabb, who described it as ‘so gripping I crashed into a bin while reading it’. Crabb is pictured above 

Legge’s colleague at The Australian and fellow novelist Trent Dalton is quoted on the book’s cover: ‘Unflinchingly investigating the value of monogamy and the true cost of betrayal.’

Infidelity and Other Affairs by Kate Legge is published by Thames & Hudson

Crabb has also contributed a cover endorsement: ‘One cannot fail to be entranced by Legge’s bone-deep strength and wisdom.’ 

Infidelity and Other Affiars’ publisher Thames & Hudson suggests Legge has been able to move on from Hywood’s cheating. 

‘To her own surprise, she finds strength and peace over revenge and hate, as well as joy in unexpected places.’

Nine’s CBD column supported that view on Monday by telling readers Legge and Hywood were now ‘best of friends – he even read over old manuscripts and helped come up with a title.’

Hywood, 68, began his journalistic career as a cadet in the Australian Financial Review’s Melbourne bureau in 1976 and later edited the paper.

He was promoted to publisher and editor-in-chief of The Sydney Morning Herald, Sun Herald and The Age before leaving the company for seven years.

Legge’s colleague at The Australian and fellow novelist Trent Dalton (above) is quoted on the book’s cover: ‘Unflinchingly investigating the value of monogamy and the true cost of betrayal’

Hywood returned to Fairfax in 2010, was appointed interim CEO after the sudden departure of Brian McCarthy in December that year and was confirmed in the position in March 2011.

He quit Fairfax after it was taken over by Nine Entertainment in 2018 and became chair of Free TV, the industry body formerly known as the Federation of Australian Commercial Television Stations.

Legge, who is two years younger than Hywood, has published two novels: The Unexpected Elements of Love, which was long-listed for the Miles Franklin Award, and The Marriage Club.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hywood for comment.