Rugby league legend Wally Lewis has reunited with his eldest child, Mitch, in Brisbane as he works to heal a deep six-year rift in his family.
The 66-year-old former footballer is understood to have met up with his 40-year-old son at a KIIS 97.3 function earlier this month before the pair took a trip together on a private jet.
Lewis, who works as a presenter at the Brisbane commercial radio network, was reportedly seen warmly interacting with Mitch during the fan event in the Queensland capital.
The following day, father and son were pictured posing side by side in front of a private jet in a photograph shared on Instagram. Lewis tagged Mitch among the passengers on board the plane and wrote in the caption: "Well that was a fun 24 hours! Thanks for a great road trip, gang!"
Fresh hope after years of family heartache
The meeting marks a step towards healing for the family, who have been embroiled in a six-year rift. "It's a start, after years of unimaginable heartache," a source told magazine New Idea.
"It's definitely a move in the right direction that they at least put aside past grievances after years of reported hostility," the source said, adding that "while it might be small steps, it's given Wally fresh hope."
Lewis is one of the most prominent figures in Australian sport, earning the nickname "The King" during a decorated rugby league playing career. A five-eighth and lock, he captained both the Australian national team and Queensland in the State of Origin series, and served as the inaugural captain of the Brisbane Broncos.
State of Origin is Australian rugby league's premier representative contest, played annually between state rivals Queensland and New South Wales, while the Brisbane Broncos compete in the National Rugby League, the sport's top club competition. Lewis was later inducted as one of rugby league's Immortals, the highest individual honour in the Australian game, and built a long broadcasting career as a sports presenter on Channel Nine and on Brisbane radio.
Estrangement from Wally Lewis's three adult children
Away from sport and television, Lewis has faced a prolonged fallout with his adult children, including eldest son Mitch, 40, younger son Lincoln, 38, and daughter Jamie-Lee, 36. His children have rejected him since he moved on from his first wife, Jacqui, with his new love, Lynda Adams.
Lewis married Adams at a ceremony in Brisbane in April last year. None of his children attended his second wedding.
Before this month's meeting with Mitch, one source close to the family recently said there was "zero chance" of reconciliation. Lewis previously opened up about the split with his children in rare comments about the ongoing effects of his second marriage, becoming emotional as he apologised for the breakdown that followed his 36-year marriage to Jacqui.
Wally Lewis's apology over marriage breakdown
Lewis was on the verge of tears when he spoke to News Corp about what he called a "sad" situation. "I had a bit of a tough time in my life and sad departure from my family," the former Brisbane Broncos and State of Origin star told the publication.
"I don't feel good about that and I don't get the chance to spend much time with my kids," Lewis said. "They are three wonderful kids and I'm very sorry it affected them. But I'm very proud of them and the support they give their mother."
End of 36-year marriage to Jacqui Lewis
Lewis married Jacqui in November 1984. He has previously spoken about how his first wife was a rock for him when he was diagnosed with epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes recurring seizures, after he had a seizure on live television while reading the sport on a Channel Nine news bulletin.
He revealed his separation from Jacqui in a statement released through his employer, commercial television network Channel Nine, in February 2021. "Wally and Jacqui Lewis separated last year after 36 years of marriage," the statement said.
"It has been a difficult time for everyone in the family and they are still working through the details of the separation," the statement continued. "This is a deeply personal matter that we do not want to discuss publicly, but I want to acknowledge the pain and upset my family has gone through since Jacqui and I separated last year."
In the same statement, Lewis confirmed he had entered a new relationship while expressing hope that the family could repair its bond. "I hope over time we can rebuild our ties and move on with life," he said. "I will confirm I am now in another relationship."
