Celebrity mums talk about why Mother’s Day is special to them
She’s ready to give birth to Justin Hemmes’ first son next month, and new mum Madeline Holtznagel will have her sister’s wealth of experience to help her. PLUS: Celebrities talk about what motherhood means to them.
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When Madeline Holtznagel welcomes her first baby next month, she won’t just be adding a new member to the family, she’ll be joining the exclusive club already occupied by her two sisters, officially making it a full house of Holtznagel mamas.
Holtznagel, who is expecting a baby boy with billionaire boyfriend Justin Hemmes this month, will have no shortage of advice, with both model sister Simone and eldest sibling Anna already mums.
“I will turn to Anna and Simone for advice, and of course my mum,” Madeline said.
“I am surrounded by incredible mothers, who I look up to and know I can call at any time for answers.
“I have learnt from them how quickly your baby grows and to cherish every single day because they only stay little for such a short time.
“I am looking forward to making beautiful memories with Justin and our little boy and all the cuddles.”
Simone, who welcomed her firstborn daughter Gia last year, said she believed her younger sister Maddy was made for motherhood.
“My advice for my sister is as simple as just follow your instincts,” she said.
“Maddy has had lots of practice with our nieces, nephews and step daughters and I know she is going to be a natural.”
PHOEBE BURGESS: MUM HAS HELPED ME RAISE MY KIDS
She has raised two beautiful children on her own, however Phoebe Burgess’ focus today will be on her mother, Sarah, who she says has helped.
Burgess, who is a single mother to eight-year-old Poppy and six-year-old Billy after their father relocated to England, said she never expected to lean on her mother so much for support at this period of her life.
“I am mid-30s and my mum’s role in my life is more important than ever,” Burgess said at David Jones’ Mother’s Day event on Friday.
“I need her more than ever, and not in a way like when you’re younger you need mum to drive you places and pay for tickets, but I get to bring my daughter home and she goes straight out into the horse arena with my mum who’s taught her everything she knows about riding to this point.
“My son wakes up at 5.30 in the morning and puts his boots on with his jammies to feed the horses with my mum.
“She’s definitely raising my kids with me which is so special.
“She’s my rock, I know everyone says that, that but she’s so self sacrificing and I’m nowhere near the calibre of mum that she is but I’ll endeavour to be that way.”
Burgess anticipates this Mother’s Day will be just like any other day: “Pops is going to a horse competition, which is amazing, so we’ll be doing that from about 5am and then Billy’s got a soccer game.
“The best part about Mother’s Day is that morning wake-up.
“I will wake up with Pops. She will be embarrassed that I am revealing that she sleeps with me every night.
“She will roll over with massive hair and give me a sweaty cuddle, and then Billy will probably run in and jump on both of us.
“Then they’ll make me a dodgy breakfast and I will get a card which is my favourite.”
SOPHIE DELEZIO: ‘THE GREATEST HONOUR OF MY LIFE’
Today is Sophie Delezio’s first Mother’s Day – a surreal thought for the happy newlywed, and a woman who has never let the past define her.
Playing with eight-month-old baby boy Frankie – teenage sweetheart turned husband Joseph Salerno by her side – it doesn’t get much better than that.
“Frankie is just the sweetest, happiest little soul,” Delezio, 24, said. “He has an infectious smile and a laugh that lights up the whole room – he brings so much joy to everyone around him. Becoming his mum is truly the greatest honour of my life.”
It can’t be easy. Delezio was 2½ when a car crashed into her daycare centre. She suffered third degree burns to 85 per cent of her body and lost both legs below the knee, as well as her right hand and an ear. Three years later she suffered a heart attack, broken jaw and shoulder – as well as a tear to her lung – after being hit by another car.
“Everything I’ve been through will always be a part of my journey, but it doesn’t define who I am,” she said.
“I am definitely proud of the strength it’s taken to get here, but there is still so much ahead. “For me, it’s all about moving forward in life.”
DJ TIGERLILY: IN A SPIN WITH BABY PORTER
Dara Hayes – aka DJ Tigerlily – is in midst of a beautiful baby bubble after having her second son.
DJ and husband Scott welcomed Porter Hayes Lawson to the world this week, and big brother Lando is already loving his new role.
“Lando had his active moments, but this little dude was vibing 24/7,” she said of his in-utero love of music.
“I’d try calming tricks like yoga, swaying, tapping … but nope – he was throwing his own private rave in there. A DJ in the making, clearly!”
Born at Royal North Shore Hospital, all went well with the birth and she’s recovering well.
“Second time round we both feel a lot more relaxed leaning into the chaos of it all, which feels good,” she said.
“Holding him for the first time was completely surreal.
“It all seems to happen so fast, especially with a C-section and you go from being very pregnant to having a tiny human in your arms in the blink of an eye.
“Having him safe and earth-side was the best feeling.”
She said her pregnancy was more of a rollercoaster the second time around – especially after having an emergency appendectomy at just seven weeks.
“Yep, wild,” she said.
“And life with a toddler doesn’t exactly come with a pause button.
“The early days were especially rough, but once I hit the second trimester, I felt really good.
“I was still working, exercising, and chasing Lando around. The final weeks were pretty intense though.”
Now home from hospital, Mother’s Day will be a low-key, cosy couch day in full-blown newborn bubble mode.
“Aka, breastfeeding around the clock and maybe sneaking in a nap if I’m lucky,” she said.
“Being a mum is everything, it’s the most grounding, heart-expanding, soul-stretching part of my life.
“My kids are my whole universe, I still have those pinch-me moments where I can’t believe I get to do this.
“I think the best advice that we have been given is to enjoy the now.
“We’re not aiming for perfection, just presence.
“Watching your kids become their own little people is just pure magic.”
After having Lando, Hayes was back on stage just six weeks post-partum for a performance at CommBank Stadium. This time, she’s taking things slower.
“That was a really empowering experience and a milestone for both myself and my team,” she said.
“That said, this time I’m giving myself more space and grace, without any strict expectations around work or performance timelines.
“Even though I’m stepping back from touring in the short-term, I’ve actually been working on a number of new musical projects behind the scenes. I’ve got several exciting releases scheduled over the coming months, including a new single dropping in just a few weeks.
“I think there’s so much pressure on mums to do it all, be it all, be perfect, and honestly, it’s exhausting.
“But I keep reminding myself – and hopefully other mamas too – that just being there, with love and intention, is more than enough.”
CELEB MUMS: ‘WHY EVERY DAY IS A JOY AND A PRIVILEGE’
Lisa Wipfli
Lego play advocate, wife of Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli and mum to Ted, 10, Jack, 9, Francesca, 5
“Being a mum means so many things to me, but mostly it means my commitment to being a lifetime role model.
“It’s teaching my kids that life is precious and we have to constantly create adventures.
“The biggest joy for me doesn’t come in one really memorable moment, the joy comes in the small day-to-day moments. When they have a huge smile on their face and are proud of something they have created or when they wrap their arms around me say: ‘I just love you so much Mummy’.”
Ada Nicodemou
Home and Away actor and mum of Johnas, 12
“I always knew that I wanted to be a mum, it was the only thing I was always sure of.
“Being a mum has made me realise how little I can control and not everything has to be perfect.
“I love how smart and knowledgeable he is, and we laugh so much, I love hanging with him and hearing his take on life and the world. He’s my little buddy.”
Emma Lung
Actor and Strife star
“Being a mum means being my children’s safest place. Forever trying to find the balance of protecting them, but also encouraging them to find their own place within the world.
“The biggest joy is their love. Nothing will ever compare to that feeling.
“The minute my son was born, nothing comes before him and now my daughter too.”
Johanna Griggs
Better Homes and Gardens host and mum to Joe, 28, and Jesse, 29
“Being a mum is an absolute joy and privilege. To have watched our boys grow into such fine, fun, smart, kind, compassionate and loving young men brings us a lot of pride and happiness.
“And now to watch Joe be such a patient and loving father, and what a zany, caring uncle Jesse is to him, is one of the greatest things you could ever wish and hope for as a parent.
“The biggest joy is the loving relationship we have with them now they are adults. They are seriously the best fun to hang out with.”
Juliet Love
Better Homes and Gardens presenter and mum of sons Leo and Hart
“Being a mother was always something I dreamt of growing up, so I feel very blessed to have two gorgeous sons now.
“Mothering has taught me that being there for my family is my true purpose.”
Renee Bargh
Entertainer and David Jones ambassador
For Renee Bargh, this year’s celebration carries deeper meaning.
As host of the David Jones High Tea on Elizabeth Street, she’s gathering three generations of women, (her mother, her daughter, and herself), to honour the past, present, and future of motherhood.
“Since becoming a mum myself it’s even more special as it’s always been my dream to have a family,” Bargh said.
“It makes me appreciate even more everything my mum has done for me and how incredibly selfless she has always been.”
The High Tea, held in partnership with Jo Malone London offers a rare chance to slow down, providing an afternoon of elegance, connection and shared stories.
“There’s something elegant and celebratory about a high tea,” she said. “It’s also a beautiful way to show our appreciation for Mum, she deserves to be spoiled.”
— by OLIVIA LANCUBA
Originally published as Celebrity mums talk about why Mother’s Day is special to them
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