Many people would look up to Gary Rohan’s life in recent years because of his AFL success, personal development, and growing family milestones. However, there is a deeply emotional chapter that goes beyond the highlights and continues to define him both publicly and privately. Gary and his ex-wife Amie welcomed twin daughters in April 2018. Willow Nevaeh was one of them; she was born with anencephaly, a deadly condition. She only lived for five hours.
That would seem like the end of something irrevocably damaged to many parents. However, it marked the start of a lifetime commitment for Gary and Amie to preserve her memory. Willow’s name continues to reverberate in homages, interviews, and even subdued posts that are incredibly emotional. Amie recently shared a picture taken from a plane window, which was one such instance. The connection between memory and location was reflected in her caption, which was brimming with remarkably genuine emotion. She wrote, “Sydney was your constant, our constant.” “The only home you’ve ever known was home.”
| Name | Gary Rohan |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 7, 1991 |
| Birthplace | New South Wales, Australia |
| Profession | Australian Rules Footballer (AFL) |
| Teams Played For | Sydney Swans, Geelong Cats |
| Children | Willow Nevaeh (deceased), Bella, Sadie |
| Former Spouse | Amie Rohan |
| Current Partner | Madi Bennett |
| Notable Moment | Lost daughter Willow in April 2018 |
| Reference | www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14492847/AFL-Gary-Rohan-ex-Amie-mourns-death-baby.html |
What makes their story so powerful is that clarity—condensing both love and loss into a single sentence. It doesn’t have a straight line. Often, grief doesn’t. Rather, it reappears in locations, sounds, and feelings. For Amie, going back to Sydney is a spiritual act rather than just a flight. A reunion with the person she gave birth to, carried, and bid farewell to in a single day. She described how Willow’s urn is kept in their house to make sure she is always there.
Gary and Amie have both given hints about how they have adjusted, grown, and dealt with the past few years. These are rarely dramatic moments. They take the shape of heartfelt sideline customs, birthday candles, and tattoos. Gary’s performance that day was evaluated by his presence rather than his stats; he once ran onto the field wearing Willow’s name on his wrist. Even top athletes have deeply personal struggles, as that act, which was subtly powerful, reminded us.
Willow’s twin Bella sees the story as a source of light and legacy. Bella was raised with care after being born into a crisis, and her survival serves as an example of resiliency. She eventually returned home to a family that had been profoundly united but forever changed after weeks in neonatal care. A special bond was formed by her presence and Willow’s memory. This dichotomy—raising one child while grieving for another—is frequently characterized by parents as both beautiful and perplexing. Few people are prepared for this challenge, but Gary and Amie handled it with obvious compassion.
When their third daughter, Sadie, was born in 2020, things were looking up. Both parents’ lives had changed dramatically by then. Even though they were no longer together, they continued to carefully co-parent. Amie and her current partner Jaison welcomed a son, Archibald Alexander Todd, into the world in April 2023. She acknowledged her lengthy healing journey in her joyful post. She added pictures that felt triumphant and intimate, adding, “The most incredible birthing experience I never thought I’d be able to have.”
Gary is currently expecting a second child with partner Madi Bennett. Time has softened the scrutiny that has been placed on their relationship, as it has been on many high-profile unions. Gary’s continued involvement and emotional presence as a father is evident. His ability to maintain his sense of reality while starting a new life says a lot about his personality and development.
Gary’s candor feels especially novel in the context of sports culture, which frequently discourages emotional expression. His experience is similar to that of Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, who both publicly lamented the loss of a child. Despite being extremely personal, these stories have spurred more general discussions about loss, grief, and emotional fortitude. Public personalities are changing attitudes by strategically displaying vulnerability, reminding viewers that grieving is not a sign of weakness and that recovery is not a straight line.
Willow’s story has a wider impact than just social media posts and sporadic interviews. It has influenced conversations about newborn loss, illnesses, and athletes’ mental health. Others have felt less alone because of her brief life. Willow has accomplished something tremendously potent in this way: she has forged a bond.
Gary and Amie have developed into unofficial advocates through strategic reflection. Although they never aimed for that position, their honest sharing has inspired others to face and discuss loss. This has been especially helpful in settings where people tend to avoid having emotional conversations. Others, such as other athletes and regular parents, have been able to process their own journeys with greater understanding and less shame thanks to their transparency.
They have changed our understanding of resilience by incorporating their experiences into the story of parenting and personal development. As a decision to proceed with love, not as a lack of suffering. Despite being quiet, that message is incredibly powerful. It only needs to be felt; headlines are not necessary. It is, too.
Their kids will grow up hearing about Willow in the years to come. As a major character in their family’s history, not as a footnote. Sadie will be aware that she had a sister she never met, and Bella will be aware that she is a twin. They will witness their parents’ remembrance of that memory—not with sadness, but with continuity. And that legacy will be just as genuine as any press feature or game-winning goal.
