Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic have officially announced their separation after four years of marriage. The news was shared on July 18, 2024, via their respective social media platforms, where they disclosed their mutual decision to go their separate ways. This announcement came shortly after Natasa departed for Serbia with their son, Agastya Pandya, just a day prior.
"After four years together, we have decided to mutually part ways," their post stated. "We tried our best and gave it our all, but we believe this is in the best interest for both of us. This was a tough decision, given the joy, mutual respect, and companionship we shared as we built our family."
The couple has emphasized their unwavering commitment to co-parenting their son, Agastya, who will continue to be the focal point of both of their lives. They kindly request privacy during this challenging period, underscoring their dedication to ensuring Agastya's well-being.
While Pandya and Stankovic did not provide specific details regarding their separation, rumors of their strained relationship had been circulating for several months. Stankovic's absence from IPL 2024, where she had previously been a regular supporter of Pandya, was notable. Additionally, her social media activity indicated a growing distance as she removed Pandya's surname from her Instagram profile and refrained from posting about him on special occasions.
Despite these signs, Stankovic maintained amicable relationships with Pandya's family, including his brother Krunal Pandya and his wife, Pankhuri Sharma. She publicly congratulated them on the birth of their second child, suggesting that their family ties remained intact.
In a 2020 interview with Crickettimes.com, Pandya shared that Stankovic initially had no knowledge of his identity when they first met. Describing their meeting and subsequent engagement as a spontaneous and deeply personal experience, Pandya revealed this information to cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle.
“I got her (Natasa) by talking. She saw someone in a hat at a place where I met her, wearing a hat, a chain, a watch, at 1 am. So she thought he is ‘alag prakaar ka aadmi aaya (different kind of person came)'. That is when I started talking to her, started knowing each other. Then, we started dating. Then got engaged on December 31," Hardik said.
When inquired about Natasa's familiarity with him and whether she was a fan, he responded by stating, "She had no idea who I was."
The couple's relationship progressed rapidly, culminating in a romantic proposal on a yacht in December 2019 and a beautiful wedding in May 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their son, Agastya, was born in July 2020, further solidifying their bond.
In 2023, the couple decided to renew their vows with a lavish ceremony in Udaipur, surrounded by their closest friends and family. However, despite this grand gesture, their relationship encountered difficulties, ultimately leading to their recent separation.
In a video dating back to 2020, during their extravagant wedding in Udaipur, Pandya was captured expressing his admiration for his bride, while also acknowledging the patience required to navigate their relationship.
“The way she gave me warmth, I started getting more solutions because she taught me how to find solutions. That learning in my love life taught me to achieve more and more in life. I also became more patient because it takes a lot of patience to live with Natasa,” he told the paparazzi.
Prior to their current relationship, both Pandya and Stankovic had previous romantic entanglements. Pandya was rumored to have been involved with several Bollywood actresses, such as Urvashi Rautela and Elli AvrRam. Stankovic, on the other hand, had a well-known relationship with actor Aly Goni, with whom she appeared on the reality show Nach Baliye.
Following the announcement of their separation, Stankovic was inundated with a barrage of negative comments online. Numerous users expressed disbelief and levied harsh judgments. Comments varied from questioning Stankovic's acknowledgment of Pandya's value to expressing disdain regarding the financial aspects of their split.
Despite the onslaught of negativity, Pandya and Stankovic have made the conscious decision to prioritize their son and uphold a respectful co-parenting relationship. While their separation signifies the conclusion of a chapter in their lives, their dedication to their child's well-being remains unwavering.
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