Radio host Robin Bailey has delivered a profoundly personal and candid admission, revealing she engaged in an affair before the tragic suicide of her late husband. The 57-year-old KIIS FM Brisbane presenter describes this decision as one that brought "dire consequences" for her family, a revelation she shares ahead of the release of her memoir, Flamingoes Aren't Born Pink.
A Raw Account of Personal Choices
Bailey, who was widowed in 2014 after her husband of 15 years, Tony Smart, took his own life following a prolonged battle with depression, offers an unflinching look at the final chapter of her first marriage. In an interview with QWeekend, she disclosed that the affair occurred during a period when the couple had separated but were still cohabiting under the same roof. This emotionally charged and complex time is something Bailey admits she is not attempting to justify or excuse.
"I'm not making excuses, I'm just explaining... I think everyone should question what their own moral compass is on that," she began. "Because a lot of people have affairs, not everyone's ends like mine does, but the feelings are the same. The betrayal, the anger."
Consequences and Honesty
Reflecting on the impact of her actions, Bailey stated, "In my space it had dire consequences... I think people will harshly judge me and I think there are a lot of people that will probably see me very differently... that's their right. But it is the truth." The veteran broadcaster explained that she initially had no intention of making these deeply personal details public. However, she felt compelled to write them down as part of her process to understand and come to terms with what had transpired.
"I needed to not blame anyone else, to take my responsibility in it," she said. "The hardness for me was not sugar-coating it, not denying my involvement in it, being truly honest in my decision-making because we are all everything. Like, we're good, we're evil, we are bad. We make good choices, we make terrible choices. And my choice had a diabolical consequence for the most important people in my life."
Further Heartbreak and Loss
Bailey, who shared three sons—Fin, Lewin, and Piper—with her late husband, faced additional heartbreak in the years that followed. In 2018, she married radio executive Sean Pickwell, whom she described as her "soulmate." Tragically, just 11 months later, he died after a battle with cancer. Pickwell had proposed days after learning that his liver cancer had spread to his bones, blood, and other organs.
Less than a year later, he passed away at the age of 56 in his wife's arms at their Brisbane home on the morning of September 26, 2019. Sharing the devastating news at the time, Bailey wrote, "What can I say, my big beautiful panda has gone. He died as he lived, his way, at home with us holding him early this morning."
A Tribute to Love and Resilience
In her tribute, she continued, "In this moment there are no words or feelings that can truly express the love and gratitude I have for my husband Sean. He came into our lives and healed us. He loved me so hard and taught me so much and now whatever life throws at us we will be stronger, wiser, and more fierce because of him. He was my absolute soulmate. The true love of my life and whatever I do from now on he will be in my heart and in my corner cheering me on."
Memoir Release and Support Resources
Bailey's upcoming memoir, Flamingoes Aren't Born Pink, is set to be released on Tuesday, March 31. The book promises to offer a raw and honest exploration of her life experiences, including the affair and its aftermath. For those in need of support, resources such as Lifeline at 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 are available.
