Phaedra Parks of The Real Housewives of Atlanta recently appeared alongside Ellen Degeneres in her first interview since her husband, Apollo Nida, was convicted of bank fraud and identity theft.

[FLASHBACK: Apollo Nida Settles In For 8 Year Bid + Sends Farewell Message to Fans… (VIDEO)]

Phaedra reveals on ‘The Ellen Show’ that she was completely in the dark about her husband’s criminal activities, stating:

I really didn’t [have any idea]… I work. I just got my fitth college degree. I am pretty much an over achiever. I have two very small children.

I just stopped breast feeding three months ago… and so I really didn’t have any idea that any of this was going on until he called and said, ‘Hey, Ive been arrested and I’m having this problem but it’s not true’… and that obviously wasn’t the case.

Phaedra also addresses accusations that she’s been cheating on her husband.

More details + video of Phaedra’s interview under the cut…

VIDEO: Phaedra Sets Record Straight About Apollo

My new favorite quite… “Everybody knows I do love a snicker bar every now and then…” 😆

While Phaedra acknowledged that Nida was on parole from a previous conviction when the couple, who married in 2009, first met, she says she was ready to accept his past.

“Well, to be honest, he had been to prison,” she explains. “But he was a changed person, so the person I married, I thought he had changed.”

Parks has reportedly consulted a divorce attorney and is now faced with raising their two young sons, Ayden and Dylan, alone as Nida serves his eight-year federal sentence for fraud.

During the interview, Parks admits she is trying hard, despite nasty allegations from her ex, to remain above the fray for the sake of their children.

“It is extremely hard,” Parks says of moving on. “My heart aches for my two sons. They are the heart and soul of who I am.”

“That’s the best thing we ever did together – we have great kids. I never want to do anything to diminish his character in public.”

Nida has alleged that Parks cheated on him with a man supposedly named “Chocolate,” a detail DeGeneres seized upon even as Parks claims the story was fabricated to discredit her.

I think it’s totally absurd to think I cheated,” she tells DeGeneres. “They’re saying I had an affair with a man from Africa named Chocolate. Everybody knows that I do love a Snickers bar every once in a while, but it’s definitely not a man from Africa that I’ve ever had an affair with.”

“Do you know a man named Chocolate?” DeGeneres teases.

No, she says, before adding: “I do know Mr. Goodbar, though.”

What do you think of Phaedra’s recent interview?