One of Australia’s most beloved TV personalities, Kerri-Anne Kennerley has opened up about the severe domestic violence she endured at the hands of her first husband, American record producer James ‘Jimmy’ Miller.
On last night’s episode of Sunday Night, the TV host and actress revealed that things got so bad, it almost ended in murder.
“You know, you just realise that when somebody is 6”2’, crazy off their head – doesn’t matter which room you run into, all you do is close your eyes and wait for it to be over. Because it’s pointless,” the 64-year-old, who is now remarried said.
“I think eventually you just go, ‘I think I will be dead’.”
One night, when Miller was “being very bullying and aggressive and nasty again”, Kerri-Anne decided to stand up for herself – with a gun.
“He always had a .22 rifle above the door in the bedroom. So I just remember I was actually quite calm about it.”
“I just went and got the gun, aimed it at him and said, ‘I will shoot you’.
“I was in a lot of trouble.”
When asked by Sunday Night host Angela Cox if she would have pulled the trigger, Kennerley answered: “I think I probably would have”.
In April this year, Kennerley was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame after over 50 years in the Australian media. She dedicated the honour to John Kennerley – her current husband who she’s been happily married to for 33 years. The “happy ending” to one “hell of a story”.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact 1800 Respect (1800 737 732).
