NRL 2022: Andrew Johns’ ex-wife burst into tears at Centrelink after their divorce

Andrew Johns’ ex-wife Cathrine Mahoney has opened up about her high-profile split from the NRL great.

Mahoney, a former entertainment publicist who was with Johns for 13 years, revealed on Thursday how she once burst into tears while visiting Centrelink to change her surname back to her maiden name on her Medicare card.

‘[After our divorce] I went into Centrelink to change the name on my Medicare card from Johns to Mahoney,’ she told The Morning Crew with Hughesy, Ed and Erin.

‘And having to say to a complete stranger my marriage has ended, I burst into tears. She was lovely, she opened the drawer and got me a box of tissues,’ she continued.

Johns and Mahoney tied the knot in 2007 before splitting in 2011, but reconciled a year later.

They separated for good in 2014.

Emotional: Mahoney, a former entertainment publicist who was with Johns for 13 years, revealed on Thursday how she once burst into tears while visiting Centrelink to change her surname on her Medicare card. (Pictured with 2Day FM radio host Erin Molan)

Contributing to Johns’ book Two of Me, first published in 2007, Mahoney shed some light on their relationship.

Speaking about her then-husband’s bipolar disorder, she wrote in one chapter: ‘Andrew is not perfect, but who is? And there have been some hard times.

‘I’m glad he revealed his bipolar condition but, as he says, living with it is not all negative.’

In March 2009, the couple welcomed their son Louis. At the time, Johns already had a nine-year-old son from a previous marriage, Sam.

History: Johns and Mahoney tied the knot in 2007 before splitting in 2011, but reconciled a year later. They separated for good in 2014. (Pictured: Andrew Johns in June 2018)

He split from his first wife Renae Chapman in 2002, two years after tying the knot.

Johns is now dating yoga instructor Kate Kendall, with whom he shares daughter Alice, born in September 2018.

Happier times: In March 2009, the couple welcomed their son Louis (left). At the time, Andrew already had a nine-year-old son from a previous marriage, Sam (right). Pictured in 2012

From crazy fan encounters to ‘Joey’s’ colourful off-field career and his battles with drugs, alcohol and mental health – Mahoney and Johns’ relationship had it all, and was one of the most high-profile in Australia.

Now the former wife of one of Australia’s greatest ever footballers has detailed her life with him in the tell-all memoir Currently Between Husbands.

Mahoney’s book is a no-holds-barred approach that explains what life in the limelight was like as the wife of one of Australia’s most recognisable sports stars. 

Looking back now, it almost feels like Johns made as many headlines for his off-field exploits than he did for his wizardry on the field, particularly when he revealed in 2007 that he’d frequently used ecstasy throughout his career, and that he suffered from bipolar disorder.