Leon Schuster reveals relationship regrets: ‘I’m still batting…’

Leon Schuster has opened up about his biggest regrets in his life – his failed relationships – in a new interview.

The TV comedian and actor also gave the public an update on his health.

LEON SCHUSTER ON RELATIONSHIP REGRETS

Speaking to SABC’s Leanne Manas, Leon Schuster discussed his life, health and upcoming movie.

The Morning Live presenter asked the veteran star about his biggest regrets.

Without hesitation, the 75-year-old actor and comedian revealed his failed marriage and later, an engagement, which ranked high on the list.

Schuster divorced his wife, Lalie, the mother of his four children, in 1999 after 20 years of marriage.

He shared: “There was nothing more important to me than my career. It played a part in my divorce because my wife wasn’t with me

“She started getting annoyed with the attention I got at the premieres, walking in the street and people wanting selfies and signatures.

“I tried my best to save the marriage because we had four kids. But unfortunately, we split”.

The divorce was particularly painful.

He continued: “I had pain and sorrow; I had many nights lying in bed crying after my divorce, because I had a beautiful wife. I was heartbroken; I drove around and slept in my car for many nights. I wanted to cry and be alone”

LOVE AFTER DIVORCE

After divorcing his wife, Lalie, in 1999, Leon Schuster was romantically linked to a significantly younger woman named Leané du Plessis.

At the time, the comedian was nearing 60, while his love interest was just 28 years old. In 2014, he began dating real estate agent Amanda Coetzee, who was 20 years his junior. 

The engaged couple parted ways in 2021.

Schuster told Leanne Manas of their split: “She was fantastic, and I’m so sorry that we broke up because that was a big mistake

“My two relationships that didnt work out hurt me a lot in my life. I’m still battling with that”.

DEPRESSION AND LONELINESS

In the 2025 kykNET documentary about his life, Leon Schuster revealed that he suffers from chronic depression.

He said: “On Sunday evenings when the sun goes down, I get depressed. This is why I try as much as possible to have my kids visit me on a Sunday, with a braai that goes on until I go to bed.

“You look for company, you don’t want to be alone. If no one visits me, I sit on my stoep and think about life, which is not a good thing. One should be busy.”

Schuster also touched on experiencing loneliness as he navigates life without a partner.