Byron Kelleher is making headlines in 2024 as the rugby star’s ex-fiancée speaks out on their relationship, facing allegations in France.
Former rugby union player Byron, recognized for his intense and unpredictable playing style with the All Blacks and Stade Toulouse, draws attention to his athletic prowess and eventful personal life.
Beyond the spotlight of the rugby arena, Kelleher’s family background plays a significant role in shaping his narrative.
Details about his upbringing, familial relationships, and personal milestones contribute to a holistic understanding of the man behind the sports persona.
As a figure who has experienced both triumphs and challenges, Kelleher’s life off the field adds layers to his legacy, presenting a more comprehensive picture of the former All Blacks player beyond his sporting achievements.
Byron Kelleher Wife: Is He Married? Relationship Timeline
Byron Kelleher has never been married but has had several high-profile relationships with women from different backgrounds and professions.
His most recent partner was Yuliana Desta, a make-up artist from Auckland, whom he met in Bali in 2018.
The couple got engaged in 2019, but their relationship was marred by episodes of domestic violence, which led to police interventions in three countries.
Desta alleged that Kelleher assaulted her multiple times, including punching, strangling, and suffocating her with a pillow.
She eventually broke up with him in 2020, after he was charged with another case of domestic violence against a former partner in France.
Before Desta, Kelleher dated Julie Novès, the daughter of Toulouse manager Guy Novès, from 2009 to 2013.
Their relationship also ended in a violent altercation, which resulted in Kelleher crashing his car and assaulting another driver in Toulouse in 2016.
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He was fined and given a suspended sentence for the incident. Kelleher’s most famous ex-girlfriend was Kaylani Lei, an American porn star whom he met in 2004.
They lived together for two years until they split in 2006. Lei claimed that Kelleher was abusive and controlling and that he cheated on her with other women.
She also accused him of stealing her money and belongings after their breakup.
Byron Kelleher Family: Ethnicity & Origin
Born on December 3, 1976, in Dunedin, New Zealand, Byron Kelleher embodies a diverse heritage, with Irish roots from his father and Maori ancestry from his mother.
Growing up alongside two brothers and a sister, he attended Otago Boys’ High School, where his rugby journey commenced.
Kelleher’s debut in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) occurred in 1997 with Otago, followed by his entry into the Super 12 with the Highlanders in 1998.
His rugby odyssey led him to Waikato and the Chiefs in 2004 before significantly moving to Toulouse, France, in 2007.
A stalwart in the sport, Kelleher donned the All Blacks jersey for 57 tests from 1999 to 2007, showcasing his prowess with eight tries.
Post-retirement in 2012, he succeeded with Toulouse, clinching two French championships and a European cup.
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Beyond the rugby field, Kelleher diversified his endeavors, assuming roles as an Airbus ambassador, rugby consultant for Sky Sports, and co-owner of a bar-restaurant in Toulouse.
Likewise, he is also a dedicated volunteer for the regional NGO “L’Ombre du Baobab,” contributing to children’s welfare on Sumba Island.
