They have endured ill health and bounced back from financial ruin, but the end of their famously troubled son Matthew Newton’s engagement to a US socialite has “devastated” Bert and Patti Newton and left them extremely worried for him.
“It’s the worst possible news for Patti coming up to Christmas,” confirms one close friend, who says the showbiz matriarch is ready to pack her bags and fly to New York to comfort Matthew, amid fears he will sink back into depression.
“She was hoping for the best Christmas present of all – another grandchild. Both she and Bert were over the moon at the thought of becoming grandparents to a child of Matthew’s because they knew he was trying for a baby. Patti will be inconsolable.”
Just 12 months ago Bert, 79, and Patti, 72, were celebrating their 40-year-old son’s engagement to New York socialite Catherine Schneiderman after he presented her with an impressive diamond ring.
“I have always prayed for a happy ending, and I think it has arrived,” an excited Bert Newton said at the time.
“Patti and I are thrilled. We love him as a son, and this is the best thing we could hope for.”
WATCH: Bert sings with his granddaughters. Post continues…
It’s feared the split may drive Matthew over the edge again.
But privately Patti aired her fears about Matthew “going off the rails” if the relationship didn’t work out – and it looks like her worst fears have unfortunately come true.
“She saw this relationship as being stability going forward for Matthew, which is exactly what she hoped and prayed for.”
“She and Bert got to know her, even if they didn’t meet her in person, and found her incredibly refreshing,” our source says.
Catherine’s politician father (pictured together at a Democratic convention in 2014) was never in favour of their union.
“The entire family saw this relationship as a salvation for Matthew because he had never previously had a serious girlfriend who wasn’t an actress or aspiring to be in the film industry. Catherine really was a breath of fresh air.”
Notoriously private Matthew and Catherine, 24, have done their best to avoid the limelight, but rumours of trouble in paradise have dogged them, as Matthew stages a career comeback in New York and has refused to finalise a date for the wedding.
“He’s hesitant about the M word because he’s had some girlfriends he’s been crazy about in the past, and for various highly publicised reasons it hasn’t worked out. He was happy to let things bubble along, but Catherine wanted him to commit a date.”
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