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Credit score: Instagram
Julia Lemigova claims she and her spouse, Martina Navratilova, are “stronger than ever” after The Actual Housewives of Miami reunion.
After alleging that she slept together with her co-star, Adriana de Moura, 59, and being accused of getting affairs with a Haitian mortician and a cop in the course of the three-part particular, Julia, 53, is taking full accountability for “[hurting]” Martina, 68, as she admits to opening their relationship, explains how her daughters, Emma and Victoria, have dealt with the controversy, and divulges plans to check opera.
“Martina and I’ve gone by way of ups and downs like some other couple,” Julia informed PEOPLE. “And through one notably tough time, we determined to open up our relationship. It was one thing we each agreed upon and explored, with openness and care. But it surely additionally introduced challenges that we needed to face head-on.”
In response to Julia, she went by way of “a midlife disaster” earlier than she joined RHOM in 2021. And even after, she and Martina, whom she married in 2014, weren’t in the most effective place.
“We have been determining, that first yr, what was going to occur with us,” she defined. “And I believe that’s why you see me, in my first season, being extra free and consuming photographs with pickles and kissing my girlfriends. I used to be so desperately hungry for enjoyable and lightness, as a result of issues at dwelling had been so severe and extreme.”
After going by way of rocky instances, Julia and Martina finally determined to “shut the wedding.”
“We weren’t in an open-open relationship, per se,” Julia clarified. “It was only a cross as we gave ourselves time to determine issues out. And Martina knew about every little thing. It wasn’t like I used to be hiding something from her. Even with Adriana, I informed her. Naturally, Martina wasn’t comfortable about what occurred.”
Though Julia’s sexual adventures might’ve value her her marriage, it as a substitute served as a “wake-up name.”
“We needed to have some actually troublesome conversations. It made us extra dedicated to repairing what was barely fractured, and undoubtedly talk higher — as a result of that’s the place, perhaps, the fracture began. And at present, we’re in a extremely excellent place,” she revealed. “Our focus is on one another and on our household. My marriage to Martina is essentially the most sacred a part of my life. I harm her, and I take full duty for that. However I’ve requested her for forgiveness and she or he’s forgiven me.”
Along with Julia’s public revelations being “exhausting for Martina,” they have been additionally exhausting on her daughters.
“I really feel very responsible for placing them by way of this. However I felt like the one means I might transfer ahead was if I finished mendacity,” Julia reasoned. “[My daughters] are my finest mates and my greatest supporters. They really feel horrible for all of the hate I’m getting. They know the reality, they usually’ve been by my aspect to assist me by way of it.”
“Disaster can break you or it will probably make you stronger,” she continued. “For Martina and I — sure, life was not good, however that imperfection bonded us. It helped us see what mattered most. We realized we’re so a lot better collectively than aside. I can’t think about my life with out Martina. I don’t agree with every little thing she does or says — simply as she doesn’t agree with every little thing I do or say — however we love one another. Unconditionally.”
Julia additionally signaled to her and Martina’s two sons, whom they adopted final yr.
“The boys are doing fantastic,” she gushed. “Their adoption, it took a very long time. And once they first got here to us, they have been in a troublesome place. However they’re lastly ours they usually have made enormous progress. They’re talking sentences, doing nice at school. It’s been such pleasure.”
“The children, all they need is a cheerful, steady, loving dwelling. And whereas all of this has been troublesome on Martina and I, we’re so dedicated to being their mother and father that it’s allowed us to not give attention to the dangerous, and as a substitute come collectively for the nice. So sure, it’s been emotional, however it’s additionally been a really comfortable time, too. And that’s been very therapeutic,” she added.
Throughout one other interview, Julia shared plans to check opera full-time at Florida Worldwide College’s College of Music.
“I’m a extremely curious particular person. After I began opera two years in the past, I hated once I would hit so many incorrect notes. After I received this chance on the present [RHOM], I mentioned to myself, ‘I don’t need to cease. I need to return to fundamentals and research it,’” Julia informed OK! Journal. “Now I’m with 18 and 20-year-old children learning and taking so many alternative lessons, however I like it. It’s exhausting, however I’m working this muscle in my mind, and I’ve by no means felt extra alive.”
As Julia pursues her musical goals, Martina has been at her aspect, supporting her alongside the best way.
“Having an unbelievable accomplice like Martina makes all of the distinction,” Julia famous. “We’re each very hands-on with household and work. Tackling every little thing as a crew is our secret weapon as a result of I actually consider that with out her help and the best way we steadiness one another, none of this in all probability could be doable.”