Yolanda Hadid said her Lyme disease caused her marriage failure.
The 57-year-old reality TV star was diagnosed with the infectious illness – which is spread by ticks – in 2012 and has admitted the side-effects of the disease drastically changed her relationship with husband David Foster and the couple split in December 2015 with their divorce finalised this year.
In an excerpt from her new memoir ‘Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisibility of Lyme Disease’, obtained by People magazine, she writes: "All of a sudden all of the things we shared, all of things we used to love to do together, go for walks in the morning, having a studio in the house and blasting music all day, having dinner parties, that all shut down. I couldn’t participate in that life anymore."
The ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star tried to brush off the migraines and tiredness by making jokes about her illness, but she cannot deny it took a toll on her marriage.
Recalling a specific moment in their relationship, she writes: "I’m starting to feel that David is unhappy with the fact that I can’t be by his side the way that I used to be. I try to make light of it and joke that he married a lemon. It’s sad but true. I went from being the funny girlfriend who was up for anything and had endless energy to the wife who is too sick to be by his side. He lost his wingman, his partner in crime, and I felt as if he’s starting to get impatient with my recovery. I understand that even brief periods of illness can strain important relationships in your life. A chronic condition like mine, one that has consumed years of our lives, poses enormous challenges."
Yolanda moved to New York to be closer to her three children Gigi, Bella and Anwar Hadid and she claims she has no hard feelings towards her ex.
She said: "I had a great seven-year run with him and I will always hold that in high regards and have gratitude for that time together. If he didn’t leave the marriage I would not be where I am today."
In her memoir, Yolanda also admitted that the illness took such a toll on her mentally and physically that she thought about ending her life.
Yolanda Hadid says Lyme disease contributed to marriage breakdown
