A furious Anthony LaPaglia called me a liar when I questioned his marriage. Now the secret’s out – I saw it coming years ago: AMANDA GOFF

by

As a journalist, I’m no stranger to ruffling feathers – especially celebrity ones.

Celebrities and artists readily promote their new projects – movies, music, fashion lines, or perfumes. However, they quickly become unhappy if you publish anything critical of their work.

I can’t help but feel annoyed whenever I see Anthony LaPaglia in the news or in a movie.

I once worked at an Australian tabloid magazine and wrote an article about his marriage to actress Gia Carides.

Rumors started circulating that the couple was having problems, and it turned out those rumors were true – they eventually broke up.

Oh boy, did I cop it.

LaPaglia called me, really angry, all the way from Hollywood while I was at work in Sydney. He was upset, claiming I’d made up quotes, misrepresented the truth, and started rumors.

‘How would you like it if I wrote lies about your marriage?’ he said. (I wasn’t married.)

As far as I can recall, Gia was subtly encouraging him. They seemed to have set aside any personal problems and were working together against me.

LaPaglia had the right to share his complaints, but it didn’t really achieve anything. Most celebrities, even those more well-known than him, understand that you lose control of how your story is told when you’re in the public spotlight.

Savvy people understand that even negative attention is better than no attention at all, and it’s much better to have some press, even if it’s not perfect, than to be forgotten.

But that’s beside the point.

Years have passed, and now 66-year-old LaPaglia is facing another divorce. And I have just three words to say about it.

I was right.

After seven years of marriage, actor Anthony LaPaglia’s wife, Alexandra Henkel, recently filed for divorce. Henkel, who is 36 years old, is three decades younger than LaPaglia.

Alexandra said she and her partner broke up because they had differences they couldn’t resolve, which is a common explanation in Hollywood divorces.

Their divorce will likely be expensive. She’s asking for alimony and wants a 50/50 split of everything they own, like their house in Los Angeles.

She’s also asked to retain some valuable jewelry, including a Rolex watch and her engagement ring – the one she proudly showed off on the red carpet in Melbourne after Frank LaPaglia proposed in 2017.

Call me a tabloid hack, call me whatever you want, but rarely do I get it wrong.

When I found out Anthony LaPaglia was marrying someone much younger, especially since he’d only divorced his previous wife, Gia, in 2015, I predicted the marriage wouldn’t last.

Before you think I’m saying anything negative about Alexandra, I want to be very clear: I truly believe she and her partner were genuinely in love.

I understand what attracts a young woman to a charming and accomplished older man.

Let’s call it the white knight fantasy.

Some online communities have developed a dating trend that focuses on older, financially stable men – often called ‘silver foxes’ – who are seen as ideal partners because of their ability to provide.

They claim to save young women from the horrors of dating men their own age, especially if those men sometimes suggest sharing the cost of dates.

There’s even a name for it: hypergamy, or ‘marrying up’.

I’ve always been fascinated by relationships where there’s a big difference in financial status. It can seem glamorous, and definitely offers a certain level of security. But honestly, from what I’ve seen, those relationships rarely work out well in the long run. They often end up falling apart, and it’s heartbreaking to witness.

Here’s how the fairytale usually goes: 

He believes he’s saving her from a dull life, while she feels she’s finally found the one. At first, their relationship is exciting, loving, and perfect.

The bride might briefly feel a little envious of her single friends – those who got married young, live in city apartments, and commute by public transportation.

And then one day, she wakes up and realises she’s married to an old man.

She’s a vibrant and fit 40-year-old, while he’s approaching 70 and showing his age, though he still tries to dress young.

I don’t know if Anthony and Alexandra went through this change, but I can offer some general thoughts on relationships with age differences.

Still, the story of their romance paints a vivid picture.

They met at a bar in Prahran while she was a student at the University of Melbourne. LaPaglia proposed during a romantic winter evening in Paris, as they shared in their Vogue Brides feature, while staying at the Plaza Athénée Hotel.

Alexandra was getting ready for dinner when she turned around and saw Anthony kneeling. She immediately said yes, she told us.

The couple’s dream wedding took place in Hawaii. They shared their first dance as a married couple to the song “I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos.

After their fast-paced romance, the couple slowly started to disappear from our lives over time.

I was a little surprised to hear about the divorce filing last week, especially since they’d been separated since September 11th, considering how long they were together.

Okay, let’s be real. At 66, when you’re going through a third divorce like Frank LaPaglia, a big part of your life suddenly becomes figuring out the financial side of things. He’s probably meeting with his accountants right now, trying to understand how this change will impact his future and overall financial picture. It’s a practical reality that comes with major life transitions like this, and it’s something a lot of people face, honestly.

Alexandra will undoubtedly be upset, but she’s not naive. She’s simply pursuing what she deserves, especially since she’s become used to a comfortable lifestyle.

It’s interesting to note that while romances where an older man dates a younger woman – often called ‘white knight’ relationships – frequently end badly, with legal battles and financial complications, things usually don’t fall apart as dramatically when the woman is older and the man is younger.

I’ve seen a lot of successful, older women with younger partners over the years, and while the term ‘cougar’ feels outdated, these relationships usually seem to work out just fine.

Let’s be clear: women who date younger men aren’t looking for someone to take care of them or plan for the future with. What we want is excitement, energy, a genuine connection, and a satisfying intimate life. Financial stability or assets simply aren’t a priority.

When relationships or plans don’t work out, it’s not the end of the world. We don’t lose ourselves completely. We simply accept it, say farewell, and continue with our lives.

The key difference between men and women who date younger partners is motivation. Women generally aren’t looking to recapture their youth through the relationship. Men, however, often see a younger spouse as a way to feel younger themselves – but that feeling doesn’t last as they get older.

I’m not suggesting Alex required saving, or that Anthony was trying to recapture his younger days. What’s clear is that the idea of someone rushing in to rescue others is becoming outdated.

British Vogue recently suggested it’s embarrassing to have a boyfriend, but it’s just as awkward when someone older marries a much younger woman.

And if that bothers you, Anthony. Come at me – I’m sure you still have my number.

 

New to DailyMail+? Here are our most-read stories from the last week

Popular YouTuber Spanian recently discussed his unexpected divorce and a new relationship in an interview with the Daily Mail. Sources say his friends attempted to stop the interview from happening.

I discovered the hidden truth behind the peculiar actions of Gus Lamont’s family, a secret that continues to affect them even now. – Jonica Bray

Sources reveal the reasons behind the decision of a model and the founder of Fishbowl to end their costly divorce proceedings. Additionally, we uncover the true reason Moriah College expelled students after an incident at camp – it all comes down to a group chat.

Gus Lamont’s family in the Australian Outback is filled with complex relationships. The story includes a transgender grandmother, a grandfather haunted by his experiences in war, and two marriages that defy expectations. We take a look inside their challenging and fascinating lives.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always mindful of how public life impacts personal relationships, and it’s heartbreaking to hear about Koby Abberton’s recent news. He’s confirmed some incredibly difficult family news and shared that he and his model ex are no longer together. It’s a tough time for him, and a reminder that what happens in the public eye, especially online, tends to stay there forever. It just highlights the challenges of navigating relationships when everything feels so exposed.

Jess Ingham, known for her family’s chicken business, has publicly addressed her separation from her husband, Roger Zraika. She has been seen without her wedding ring, and reports suggest Zraika has already begun a relationship with another well-known figure.

It seems Spanian, a former criminal, is revealing his true nature. I’ve encountered many like him – men who profit from a ‘reformed bad boy’ image, and they all share a connection to Amanda Goff.

A surprising revelation has emerged from a recent Melbourne charity gala: some guests were actually paid to attend. I’m sharing details about who received payments and the actual amount of money raised for the charity.

Let’s be real, I’m hearing some very frank concerns from within the Liberal party about Sussan Ley. Insiders are privately admitting things aren’t looking good, and I’ve seen internal research that’s frankly, quite alarming. It’s the kind of information that’s going to give MPs a serious wake-up call, and it’s a situation they’re really grappling with. It’s a tough moment, and they’re facing some significant challenges.

Let me tell you, making big life changes is never easy. I took a leap of faith and left my husband, believing I’d found something truly special. But honestly? It backfired spectacularly. The man I thought was ‘the one’ did something so incredibly hurtful and embarrassing – something I’m still processing. It involved someone named Jana, and the whole situation was just… devastating. It’s a painful lesson in learning that sometimes, even when you follow your heart, you can end up deeply humiliated.

Read More

2025-11-11 16:01