Michael Clarke drops his four-year-old daughter off at daycare after divorce

Michael Clarke took his four-year-old daughter Kelsey-Lee to pre-school this morning after announcing his separation from his wife Kyly.

The former Australia cricket captain, 39, and his wife of seven years reportedly broke up in September but kept their $40million split secret until announcing it last night.

This morning Clarke left his $12million marital home in the exclusive Sydney suburb of Vaucluse and drove their only child Kelsey-Lee to pre-school as he usually does.  

Wearing gym clothes, a cap and no wedding ring, he was seen arriving at the daycare centre and helping Kelsey-Lee out of his four-wheel drive BMW. He carried her pink school bag and held her hand as he dropped her off.

There was no sign of Mrs Clarke, 38, who last night shared the first snaps of herself without her wedding ring as she worked out in the gym. 

Clarke, who married the former model in 2012 after splitting with his fiance Laura Bingle in 2010, told fans in his 2016 autobiography that he always feared getting divorced. 

Pictured: Clarke arrives at pre-school with Kelsey

Life goes on: Michael Clarke took his four-year-old daughter Kelsey to pre-school on Thursday morning after announcing his separation from his wife Kyly. Pictured: Clarke arrives at pre-school with Kelsey

Daddy duties: On Thursday morning Clarke left his $12million marital home in the exclusive Sydney suburb of Vaucluse and drove Kelsey to pre-school as he usually does. Pictured: Clarke arrives at pre-school with Kelsey-Lee

Daddy duties: On Thursday morning Clarke left his $12million marital home in the exclusive Sydney suburb of Vaucluse and drove Kelsey to pre-school as he usually does. Pictured: Clarke arrives at pre-school with Kelsey-Lee

He carried her pink school bag and held her hand as he dropped her off

Wearing gym clothes, a cap and no wedding ring, he was seen arriving at the daycare centre and helping Kelsey out of his four-wheel drive BMW

Loving father: Wearing gym clothes, a cap and no wedding ring, Clarke was seen arriving at the daycare centre and helping Kelsey out of his four-wheel drive BMW. He carried her pink school bag and held her hand as he dropped her off 

The former Australian cricket captain, 39, and his wife of seven years reportedly broke up in September but kept their $40million split secret. The couple are pictured with daughter Kelsey- Lee in happier times

The former Australian cricket captain, 39, and his wife of seven years reportedly broke up in September but kept their $40million split secret. The couple are pictured with daughter Kelsey- Lee in happier times

Mrs Clarke, 38, last night shared the first snaps (above) of herself without her wedding ring as she worked out in the gym

Mrs Clarke in the gym

Kyly Clarke, 38, last night shared the first snaps (above) of herself without her wedding ring as she worked out in the gym

Clarke and Kyly (pictured in an Instagram photo in July 2019) went to high school together but were not friends until they connected on Twitter after his split with Laura Bingle in 2010

Clarke and Kyly (pictured in an Instagram photo in July 2019) went to high school together but were not friends until they connected on Twitter after his split with Laura Bingle in 2010

He told how his parents Les and Debbie broke up after 25 years and this made him doubt whether he could ever hold down a relationship. 

‘Their break-up affected me to the core,’ Clarke wrote. ‘When I split up with my then fiancee Lara Bingle in 2010, part of the undercurrent in my thinking is that if a couple like Mum and Dad can’t make it, what hope have I got?

‘I don’t even want to start a serious relationship if it’s going to end in a separation. Mum and Dad are my heroes, and their marriage has always been a kind of gold standard for [my sister] Leanne and me. 

‘I can’t imagine myself measuring up to my parents’ partnership. How can I do it, if they can’t? It takes me a long time to get over that fear.’

Clarke and Kyly went to high school together but were not friends until they connected on Twitter after his split with Miss Bingle. He said he spoke to Kyly about his fear of divorce during the early stages of their romance.

‘When Kyly Boldy and I start dating, I open up with her about it. There is a strength of love between us that helps me get over my self-doubt,’ he wrote in the book called My Story.

The couple announced their split, estimated to be worth $40million, in a statement to The Australian newspaper on Wednesday.

The high-school sweethearts said the ‘amicable’ decision was ‘the best course’ for their daughter. 

The news has shocked the nation after Kyly told the Daily Mail in January 2019: ‘We’re not, never were and never will be splitting.’

According to the Australian, the couple separated five months ago. However, until last night, Mrs Clarke, 38, has continued to wear her wedding ring and pose for happy family photos in an effort to keep up appearances.

As recently as two days ago, she flaunted the sparkler in a photoshoot shared to her Instagram page. 

 

The pair are pictured at their daughter Kelsey Lee's fourth birthday party in November. Kyly was still wearing her wedding ring

The pair are pictured at their daughter Kelsey Lee’s fourth birthday party in November. Kyly was still wearing her wedding ring

In December Kyly and Clarke appeared again the picture of a happy couple as they celebrated her parents' 50th wedding anniversary in Sydney

In December Kyly and Clarke appeared again the picture of a happy couple as they celebrated her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary in Sydney

Michael Clarke and his wife Kyly (pictured in November 2018) have announced they have split after seven years of marriage in a divorce estimated to be worth $40million

Michael Clarke and his wife Kyly (pictured in November 2018) have announced they have split after seven years of marriage in a divorce estimated to be worth $40million

In November, the couple united for Kelsey Lee’s birthday at McDonalds – with Kyly sharing photos of the party she threw as her daughter turned four. 

Her still decorated ring finger was visible in one of the shots as she posed with Kelsey Lee and her husband.

The following month, the Clarkes once again appeared the perfect couple as they celebrated Kyly’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary in Sydney.

Just days later the pair shared a family photo with Santa Claus at a Sydney Westfield on Christmas Eve with the entire Clarke clan huddled in close for the festive picture.

But, in a sign they were about to announce their split, the pair both posted individual pictures with their daughter this week. 

Kyly posted this photo of her with her daughter this week, hours before the couple's split was announced. She captioned the photo 'it's Wednesday. Twinning.'

Kyly posted this photo of her with her daughter this week, hours before the couple’s split was announced. She captioned the photo ‘it’s Wednesday. Twinning.’

Michael Clarke posted this photo of him with his daughter on Tuesday with the caption 'right beside you'

Michael Clarke posted this photo of him with his daughter on Tuesday with the caption ‘right beside you’

Days later the entire Clarke clan huddled in close to Father Christmas for a cheery festive picture

Days later the entire Clarke clan huddled in close to Father Christmas for a cheery festive picture

Michael Clarke and his wife Kyly are pictured on their wedding day in May 2012

Michael Clarke and his wife Kyly are pictured on their wedding day in May 2012

Michael Clarke of Australia kisses his wife Kyly Clarke during a rain delay during day two of the First Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 10, 2014

Michael Clarke of Australia kisses his wife Kyly Clarke during a rain delay during day two of the First Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 10, 2014

The Clarkes have already agreed terms on their divorce – as well as arrangements to co-parent their daughter.

‘After living apart for some time, we have made the difficult decision to ­separate as a couple amicably,’ the statement issued to The Australian’s Media Diary read.

‘With the greatest of respect for each other, we’ve come to the ­mutual conclusion that this is the best course for us to take while committed to the co-parenting of our daughter.’  

Michael and Kyly walk onto the field after Clarke announced his retirement during an Ashes Test in 2015. They said on Wednesday they have made 'the difficult decision to ­separate as a couple amicably'

Michael and Kyly walk onto the field after Clarke announced his retirement during an Ashes Test in 2015. They said on Wednesday they have made ‘the difficult decision to ­separate as a couple amicably’

Clarke is understood to have moved out of the home he and Kyly shared in the ritzy eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse (pictured), estimated to be worth at least $12million, when they separated five months ago

Clarke is understood to have moved out of the home he and Kyly shared in the ritzy eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse (pictured), estimated to be worth at least $12million, when they separated five months ago

The couple (left and right) have said they have already agreed a co-parenting arrangement for their four-year-old daughter Kelsey Lee (centre)

The couple (left and right) have said they have already agreed a co-parenting arrangement for their four-year-old daughter Kelsey Lee (centre)

His other assets include a $4million property in Bondi he owns jointly with his sister Leanne who lives there with her family.

Clarke has other savings and investments valued at roughly $18million. He is the co-owner of private equity firm BCXXIII alongside his friend, accountant Anthony Bell. 

The company was named in honour of Clarke’s jersey number 23 he wore during his one-day international career.

Kyly has 70,000 Instagram followers and sells her own homeware products through her company Lyfestyled by Kyly Clarke.

She was announced as a judge on channel 7 show show House Rules in October.   

According to the Australian, the couple – who met in the 1990s at Westfields Sports High School in Fairfield – have negotiated the terms of their split without going through the courts.

Kyly will continue to live with Kelsey in Vaucluse, the publication reports.

The newspaper reported that neither has a new partner. 

Clarke has reportedly moved into their $8million home on Bondi's beachfront (pictured) since the split, which he put on the market last year

Clarke has reportedly moved into their $8million home on Bondi’s beachfront (pictured) since the split, which he put on the market last year

Kyly and Michael Clarke pictured arriving at the Josh Goot catwalk during Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney in May 2011

Kyly and Michael Clarke pictured arriving at the Josh Goot catwalk during Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney in May 2011

'With the greatest of respect for each other, we’ve come to the ­mutual conclusion that this is the best course for us to take while committed to the co-parenting of our daughter,' their joint statement said

‘With the greatest of respect for each other, we’ve come to the ­mutual conclusion that this is the best course for us to take while committed to the co-parenting of our daughter,’ their joint statement said

Last week, Clarke posted this picture from his house in Bondi with the caption 'love this place'

Last week, Clarke posted this picture from his house in Bondi with the caption ‘love this place’

In November 2018, Clarke made headlines when he and his bikini-clad assistant, Sasha Armstrong, were spotted on Sydney Harbour aboard a super-yacht. 

The pair enjoyed a swim in the ocean and engaged in a long conversation as they relaxed in the sun. 

A ‘source’ reportedly told Woman’s Day Kyly was ‘furious’ after seeing photos of her husband Michael on a luxury yacht with his blonde assistant.

‘Of course she’s annoyed by the images. What woman wouldn’t be?’, a cricket ‘insider’ told the magazine at the time.

Kyly rubbished the suggestion when speaking to Daily Mail Australia in January 2019, saying her six-year marriage to Michael was still going strong.

‘We’re not, never were and never will be splitting,’ she said.  

'Of course she's annoyed!' Kyly Clarke is 'furious' after cricket star husband Michael  was spotted relaxing on a luxury yacht with glamorous bikini-clad personal assistant (Pictured left: Michael Clarke  with assistant Sasha Armstrong on November 2, right: Kyly Clarke in Cardiff, UK, July 2015)

In November 2018, Clarke made headlines when he and his bikini-clad assistant, Sasha Armstrong, were spotted on Sydney Harbour aboard a super-yacht

Clarke and Kyly are pictured together at the Myer Spring 16 fashion launch in Sydney in 2016

Clarke and Kyly are pictured together at the Myer Spring 16 fashion launch in Sydney in 2016

Kyly defended her marriage to the Australian cricketer a year before Wednesday's split announcement

Kyly defended her marriage to the Australian cricketer a year before Wednesday’s split announcement

The mother-of-one added the key to a happy marriage is to keep up regular date nights.  

‘Always keep dating,’ Kyly said.

‘Have those date nights so you’re always keeping everything nice and fresh.’ 

The split is the second of Clarke’s high-profile relationship breakdowns.

In 2010 he revealed he had split with fiancee Lara Bingle, who was the face of Scott Morrison’s 2006 Tourism Australia ‘where the bloody hell are ya?’ marketing campaign.

It was widely reported Bingle flushed her engagement ring down the toilet of his Bondi apartment – a claim Clarke denied. 

Clarke made his debut for Australia aged 21 in 2003. He was captain from 2011 to 2015 when he handed over to Steve Smith.

Clarke and his wife are pictured together during a rain delay in a Test match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval in December 2014

Clarke and his wife are pictured together during a rain delay in a Test match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval in December 2014

The Clarkes are pictured on their wedding day. Prior to marrying Kyly, Clarke was engaged to model Lara Bingle

The Clarkes are pictured on their wedding day. Prior to marrying Kyly, Clarke was engaged to model Lara Bingle

Clarke separated from his ex-fiancee Lara Bingle in 2010. Bingle allegedly flushed her engagement ring down the toilet of his Bondi apartment - a claim Clarke denied (Michael and Lara pictured in March 2010)

Clarke separated from his ex-fiancee Lara Bingle in 2010. Bingle allegedly flushed her engagement ring down the toilet of his Bondi apartment – a claim Clarke denied (Michael and Lara pictured in March 2010) 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk