Reality TV star and businesswoman Annie Mthembu, best known for her time on The Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD), has finally spoken openly about the pain, challenges, and lessons from her marriage in an emotional sit-down on the Engineer Your Life podcast.
The star, who appeared as the first guest on Lungelo KM’s Power Women Series 2025, reflected on her journey of heartbreak, infidelity, motherhood, and healing, marking her most vulnerable public conversation to date.
On Instagram, Annie shared heartfelt words with her followers, writing:
“Sometimes choosing yourself feels like the hardest thing in the world, especially when it means letting go of the life you thought you’d have… This isn’t about gossip, drama, or anyone’s downfall. It’s about growth, healing, and the courage to walk in truth.”
She added that her hope is for women who feel “stuck, silenced, or afraid” to draw strength from her story.
Annie, who starred in the first three seasons of RHOD before stepping back in Season 4, revealed that her husband at the time wanted to keep their marital struggles private. “There were cracks already on TV… he was like no, we’re not doing this again. Let’s deal with this as a family,” she explained.
But behind the cameras, Annie admitted she was silently suffering:
“I wasn’t happy. I was pretending. I had this thing that I had to perform strength… The emotions were overwhelming.”
The breaking point came when she realized she was losing herself in the process of saving her marriage:
“I stopped paying attention to my kids because now I’m focused on keeping my husband and myself together. That was when I was like I’m losing myself. I have to make sure my kids are my priority.”
Annie also opened up about facing infidelity, confessing the experience left her embarrassed and questioning her self-worth:
“No one likes to be cheated on. It makes you question yourself a lot. In admitting that I was being cheated on, it felt like I was saying I’m not good enough.”
Despite the painful chapter, Annie credits her children, her parents, and her close circle of friends for giving her the strength to rebuild:
“My circle has lifted me up. They created a sense of peace and safety. I had a really good support system.”
Now, Annie Mthembu is ready to turn the page, embracing growth, healing, and a renewed focus on her children and her business.
