Amanda Keller told a story about her husband on-air. She broke down in tears.

In 2023, beloved Australian media personality Amanda Keller shared something incredibly personal — her husband of over three decades, Harley Oliver, has been battling Parkinson's Disease.

On Tuesday, Keller tearfully marked their 35th wedding anniversary during her radio show and gave us a glimpse into what "in sickness and in health" truly means when life takes an unexpected turn.

Usually, this milestone would see Keller and Oliver heading out for a special dinner. But this year, things look different. With Oliver's health making such outings difficult, the couple's sons, Liam and Jack, are coming over instead for a family dinner at home.

Speaking candidly on JAM Nation with Jonesy & Amanda, Keller reflected on those wedding vows we all know but perhaps don't fully comprehend until we're tested.

"When you stand there on your wedding day and you say 'forever', what does that even mean? You don't even know," she said.

"I think all you can say is, 'I kind of feel the weight of potential that we can go somewhere here'. And when you say the words, 'for better or worse', what do they mean when you're in your 20s?"

First, watch part of Amanda Keller reflecting on her marriage on Jonesy & Amanda. Post continues below.

The truth is, none of us can truly grasp what "in sickness and in health" means until we're living it.

And Keller is living it every day.

"I kind of fluctuate between taking great pride in the fight that we are alongside each other, and the strength that it takes to get up every day and still fight it and still live it … and having the absolute sh*ts that you're dealing with what's in front of you," she said.

"But I don't think you can get to 35 years without the sands shifting beneath your feet."

While grateful for their enduring partnership, Keller doesn't sugarcoat the daily challenges they face.

"I never think of the what-ifs because I think that's just where madness lies," she said.

"We've lived a rich and wonderful life together, and we still do. But it's not the same as the old days when we'd be going out to dinner tonight."

Amanda and Harley on their wedding day. Image: Instagram/amandarosekeller.

Through it all, there's a profound gratitude that they still have each other.

"On your wedding day … no one knows what ride you're in for. None of us do," Keller said.

"As Harley himself says, 'we all have an asteroid coming at us.' We don't know what it is.

"We all think that we'll get to 90 and die in our sleep. I think the human condition is you can't afford to think otherwise, or you wouldn't get up in the morning.

"But people face stuff every day. And that's the meat of life. That's the meat of a long-term relationship. So, I'm grateful to have that."

Harley and Amanda are celebrating 35 years of marriage. Image: Getty.

Keller first opened up about Oliver's diagnosis during an episode of her podcast Double A Chattery in late 2023, revealing they'd kept his condition private for six years.

She recalled the first subtle signs that something wasn't right.

"I first noticed Harley’s footfall around the house changing, like he was dragging his leg, and his hands started to shake," she explained to her podcast co-host, forensic psychologist Anita McGregor.

"He said he'd just been whacked in the thumbs as a wicketkeeper playing cricket."

Amanda Keller and Harley Oliver. Image: Instagram @amandakeller.

"But I felt something was going on... I know Harley so well, and how protective he is of his inner core, he was absolutely scared and in denial, and who would blame him?"

Shortly after, they got bad news. He'd been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease — an incurable brain disorder that causes uncontrollable movements and starts with gradual tremors. Other symptoms are slow movement, stiffness and loss of balance.

"When he came home [from the doctor], we both just sat there completely numb," Keller recalled.

"Two days later, I went with our eldest son to an Open Day – he was in Year 11 – and I fought tears all day just looking at these people at the beginning of their journey, and I was so envious."

It was the moment the TV and radio star realised life was changing, not only for herself and her husband but also for their sons.

"I had such a flashback to when that was me. And I thought, 'Their journey is just starting.' And something closed off for me,'" she described. "I don’t necessarily feel that now, but this is how I felt in the early days."

Amanda Keller and Harley Oliver. Image: Instagram @amandakeller.

Keller was also unflinchingly honest about the reality of living with a loved one with the disease.

"All the things that [Parkinson’s] does [to you], I thought, 'Why isn’t he fighting it?' And of course, I’ve come to see he can’t control this, and neither can I, and that’s been a big lesson for me. So I’ve become kinder, and sadder," she explained.

"[I’ve changed] trying not to feel like I have to control it. Because it’ll kill me. And he doesn’t want that."

Amanda Keller and Harley Oliver with their two sons. Image: Instagram @amandakeller.

The WSFM co-host said she sometimes "hates herself" for the way she feels about the disease and their living situation.

In reality, though, Keller realises she's just mourning when times were simpler.

"I miss the ease of life. Of going to a restaurant, [but then] Harley’s back gets sore, and he’s quietly spoken so the noise overwhelms him. I miss the ease of travel. It changes us," she said.

"But we’re not alone in that. Life is this stuff, isn’t it? We talk a lot about long-term relationships, and how popular culture celebrates the beginning and the end.

"But the meat of life, the joy of life, the sadness of life, the true human condition, lies in the middle," Keller added.

Despite being a self-confessed "over-sharer", the radio host kept the news of her husband's health battle a secret for six years.

"I still don’t know what to say... It’s hard when people ask, 'What’s going on with Harley?'" she said. "People are shocked at the changes, and I can’t make that better for anybody. It’s not a surprise to me, but I still don’t know what to say."

Toward the end of the podcast, Keller and her husband shared their appreciation for one another.

"I love you Harley," Keller said, to which Harley responded, "I love you too. You’re terrific with all of this."

"Somebody early on said the one thing that’ll keep you out of a rest home is the relationship you have with your partner," he added.

"And it’s so true. I’m very grateful that we have that strength."

This article was first published in October 2023 and has been updated.

Feature image: Instagram/amandarosekeller.