From being on life support to turning 21: Sophie Delezio marks her birthday in America

She was the toddler who captured the hearts of a nation as the “beautiful girl in bandages” - and now she is marking a very special birthday.

After sustaining horrific injuries from two separate car accidents when she was a young child, Sophie Delezio twice had to fight for her life.

Now, the young woman who captured the hearts of a nation as the “beautiful girl in bandages” has celebrated her 21st birthday.

“Turning 21 does feel huge,” she told Woman’s Day. “I had no idea where I was going to be (at this age), mainly because of my journey. But I’ve tried to not have too many expectations and just live in the moment.”

Delezio marked the occasion with a party at her parents’ home on Sydney’s North Shore a couple of weeks ago before taking off on a seven-month trip around the world with her boyfriend, chef Joseph Salerno.

The pair met as six-year-olds and were best friends as teenagers before they became romantically involved.

Sophie Delezio celebrates her 21st birthday with her boyfriend Joseph Salerno. Picture: Phillip Castleton for Woman’s Day

Sophie’s birthday is covered in Woman’s Day magazine.

“This is a good time for me to reset and figure out what I want in life, and where I want to go, for my career especially. It could be a turning point there, but I don’t know what will come – I’m just excited for it all,” Delezio said.

Delezio was just two years old when a car crashed into her childcare centre and caught alight, trapping her and burning 80 per cent of her body. She lost both her legs below the knee and her right hand and ear in the accident.

Then, three years later, the five-year-old was being pushed in a pram across a pedestrian crossing when she was struck by a car.

The scene after the Roundhouse childcare centre crash. Picture: John Grainger.

Sophie was just two years old when a car crashed into her childcare centre.

Sophie Delezio, aged three, leaves Westmead Children's Hospital six months after she was trapped under a car that crashed into a childcare centre. Picture: Marc McCormack

Delezio’s mother Carolyn revealed they were twice given the option to turn her life support off because of the state of her injuries.

Now, Delezio is thriving. Last year, she embarked on a journalism career, writing a regular column for News Corp’s Body + Soul.

Originally published as From being on life support to turning 21: Sophie Delezio marks her birthday in America