Reality television star Sai De Silva has broken her silence following the dissolution of her nearly decade-long marriage, prioritizing her children's stability as she navigates the public nature of her personal crisis.
The 45-year-old cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City addressed her supporters via Instagram Stories on Saturday, April 4, two days after her estranged husband, David Craig, filed for divorce in New York courts.
"Thank you for the kindness, grace, and support so many of you have shown me," De Silva wrote in her statement. "I am overwhelmed by all your messages and it truly means more than you know. My heart is with my children, and my focus is on giving them as much stability and love as possible."
The statement marked De Silva's first public acknowledgment of the divorce proceedings, which were initiated on Thursday, April 2. The filing brings to an end a marriage that began in 2017, though the couple's relationship dates back to 2009 when they met during a trip to Costa Rica.
De Silva and Craig share two children: daughter London, born in 2011, and son Rio, born in 2017. The reality star's statement emphasized her commitment to shielding her children from the public scrutiny that accompanies high-profile separations.
"Living life publicly is not always easy, but it is a reminder that we should all lead with compassion," De Silva continued in her Instagram post. "You never really know what someone is navigating behind the scenes."
The dissolution of the marriage comes as little surprise to those who have followed De Silva's candid discussions about the challenges of maintaining a private relationship while appearing on reality television. During a 2024 appearance on the Sofia With an F podcast, the influencer addressed the unique pressures faced by couples in the public eye.
"I feel like when you put your relationship out there, when people come with, 'This is what you signed up for,' to scrutinize and to judge you," De Silva said during that interview. "My relationship is not open for judgment."
De Silva had notably taken steps to protect Craig's privacy throughout her time on the reality series, often obscuring his face in social media posts despite his occasional appearances on the show. She explained that her platforms were her professional domain, while Craig maintained no social media presence whatsoever.
"My husband is very much involved in my life. He is my life. He is my family, so he is going to be shown," she explained in the 2024 podcast interview. "Anything that I can control, like my social media platforms, what is he there for? He does not get campaigns, he does not shoot with me, he is not my photographer."
According to De Silva's previous statements, Craig had remained supportive of her career while choosing to remain outside the spotlight himself. She described him as someone who recognized the value of her work but had no interest in participating in the social media aspects of her professional life.
"He really is uninterested in what I do for a living. He sees the benefit of it, and he thinks it is amazing. He supports me 100 percent," De Silva said in 2024. "He does not want to be seen and does not want to be in photos."
Craig has not issued any public statement regarding the divorce filing. The proceedings represent another chapter in the ongoing narrative of reality television's impact on personal relationships, a phenomenon that has affected numerous cast members across various franchises over the years.
As the legal proceedings move forward, De Silva's focus remains on maintaining normalcy for her children during what she acknowledged is a difficult transition for the family. Her statement emphasized the importance of compassion and understanding, particularly when observing the challenges faced by public figures navigating private struggles.