Real Housewife opens up about life-changing cancer battle

Former TV presenter turned reality star Sally Obermeder explains how she found inspiration for a life changing idea during her darkest days of cancer treatment.

As a breast cancer survivor, mother, author and business owner, Sally Obermeder is a self-proclaimed juggler.

And now she has added more to her plate by playing the role of a housewife in Binge’s second season of The Real Housewives of Sydney.

At first, the Clovelly local didn’t think it was the right fit for her.

“For a while I didn’t know if this was the show for me,” she says.

“I was busy with our business and I remember telling the producers: ‘I’m not your person. I only do a handful of things ... I go to work, then I parent. I go to work, then I parent.’

“I didn’t think my life was that interesting, then they said: ‘You know what? This is interesting. You are running this huge business and it’s the juggle – you’re hands-on.’”

Sally Obermeder will appear in Binge’s second season of the Sydney franchise.

The new reimagined edition focuses on seven Sydney-based women, including Prague-born Caroline Gaultier, popular Bondi vet Dr Kate Adams and returning housewives Krissy Marsh and Nicole O’Neil, as they bring viewers into their lavish lives, extravagant parties and the complexities of their friendships.

While Obermeder is known to be one of television’s sweethearts, formerly the co-host of the Daily Edition, she says she’s anything but.

“I may be friendly and smiley, but if I think something is out of line, I’ll tell you it’s out of line,” she says. “I’m agreeable, but that doesn’t mean I always agree, and you’ll see that on the show.

“I pour everything into my family and I work all the time. Viewers will see the absolute sheer grunt work that I put into my business, SWIISH. I’m not someone who puts my name to something and doesn’t turn up. I run this business five days a week with my sister Maha.”

Indeed, a strong personality is a prerequisite for starring on a reality show with a reputation for drama.

The Real Housewives of Sydney cast: Terry Biviano, Krissy Marsh, Nicole O’Neil, Sally Obermeder, Caroline Gaultier, Dr Kate Adams and Victoria Montano. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“People say: ‘Sally, I’m worried about you. They are going to eat you alive!’ I’m like: ‘No, I’ll be fine. I have incredible strength inside,’” Obermeder says.

She attributes this quality to her personal battle with stage 3 breast cancer. She received her diagnosis in 2011, just one day before giving birth to her first child.

“It changed my perspective on life,” Obermeder says.

“I am someone who doesn’t sweat the small stuff. When something doesn’t go to plan, I think to myself: ‘Is anyone’s life at stake here?’

“I remember calling my sister when I was six months into treatment. I wasn’t finished and I told her ‘if I survive, let’s start a business to help people feel amazing’. It’s now a decade on.

“I have an amazing relationship with my husband, Marcus, but if I don’t speak with him every day, it’s not like I can’t centre myself.

“I think it’s because of what I went through with cancer. When you are in your battle, you are on your own. You have to front up to chemotherapy by yourself, and you have to wake up from surgery on your own. That experience has helped me to find my own strength within me.

Sally Obermeder during her time on Channel Seven. Picture: Supplied

“I have incredible support, but if I’m in the trenches and there’s no one around me, I can dig deep and find it within myself. I think that’s truthfully what I discovered in the series.”

Grateful for each day, the mum-of-two celebrates life with those closest to her, even if it includes the other housewives.

“When you put seven women together, there’s a lot of humour, values and triggers – it’s normal,” she says. “These shows resonate with people because it’s real life. It’s not scripted. You’ll see the ups and downs but you’ll also see the resolution. People are going to enjoy it.”

New episodes of The Real Housewives of Sydney drop every Tuesday on Binge. Available also on Foxtel On Demand.