Following the tragic passing of his father Bert Newton, Matthew Newton’s relationship with his wife Catherine Schneiderman has once again been thrown under the spotlight.
Matthew was noticeably absent from the TV icon’s funeral last Friday, as he wasn’t able to make it back to Melbourne from his home in New York City, where he now lives with Catherine.
The 44-year-old has been notoriously private since packing up and leaving Australia in 2012. It was there that he met his now-wife, whose father was the former New York Attorney-General, Eric Schneiderman.
Matthew was noticeably absent from the TV icon’s funeral last Friday.
(Image: Getty)Matthew and Catherine, 28, married in a secret ceremony four years ago, but none of his family reportedly attended the service and it had never officially been announced that they’d tied the knot.
However, during Bert’s funeral service, the Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Werner Utri, referred to Catherine Schneiderman as Matthew’s wife, ultimately putting rumours of a breakup to rest.
Matthew and Catherine got engaged in October 2016, and the following year, a source close to the Newtons claimed to New Idea the couple exchanged ‘I dos’ in a private ceremony at the home of Catherine’s mother in New York.
“(Matthew) rang his parents prior to the big day and invited them but with Bert’s health being a little strained in recent months they decided a long-haul flight to New York might not be a great idea,” the source explained at the time.
“This is the best news ever for Bert and Patti … they’re just so happy for Matthew.
“Matthew’s battled a lot of demons over the years, but he finally feels like he’s found his place in the world in New York with Cat.”
Earlier this week, the reclusive couple were seen during heading to the supermarket in upstate New York. Matthew was seen pushing a trolley full of groceries while Catherine walked next to him.
While Matthew couldn’t attend Bert’s funeral in person, he paid tribute to his late father with a moving message that was read out on his behalf by Peter Smith OAM.
Matthew now lives in New York with his wife Catherine.
(Image: Getty)“Dad just wanted to pop the tension of an awkward situation and see another human being light up and laugh,” Matthew recalled.
“I honestly believe that that was the thing, apart from his family, that made dad the happiest. It was his superpower and he always tried to use it for good.”
He even shared one of his final memories with his father, writing: “One final conversation a few days before we lost him was different from the usual and we both knew it.
“It was never directly stated, but we just said how much we loved each other.”
Matthew couldn’t attend Bert’s funeral, but had a eulogy read out on his behalf.
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