Erin Molan reveals truth about intrusive funeral photos

TV and radio host Erin Molan opens up about the snaps published from her father Jim Molan’s funeral, and why she’s open to turning her attention to politics.

In a new episode of the Stellar podcast Something To Talk About, the radio and TV host opens up about coming to grips with the recent death of her beloved father, and reveals how reflecting on his legacy as an army veteran and senator inspired her to reconsider someday trying her own hand at a political career.

On her late father, former NSW senator and major general Jim Molan, who died in January after a battle with prostate cancer:

“He was – and I don’t say this lightly – the greatest man I’ve ever known. I’m sure a lot of kids feel that way about their dad, but I also know that a lot of kids don’t. When you’re younger and have incredible, supportive parents, you assume everyone has that, too. As I grew up, I realised that wasn’t the case, so it made me much more appreciative of him.”

On the media presence and subsequent publication of photos of her family at his funeral: “Dad loved communicating his thoughts, his passions, his ideas. It wasn’t because he loved talking to reporters; it was because he loved talking to people. He understood from very early on that the media was the way you do that… It would feel hypocritical if we’d said that we want privacy… and I felt confident that any media would be respectful. He had wonderful relationships with a lot of reporters. So we made the decision that we’d just leave it. I don’t think you’re ever prepared for those photos to be published, but I’m part of this massive beast, and I would be a complete hypocrite if I said that it was wrong.”

On juggling her role as a television news host with the radio-show banter with her co-stars Dave Hughes and Ed Kavalee on Hughesy, Ed & Erin (6-9am weekdays on 2DayFM; 6-7pm weeknights across the Hit Network):

“A couple of weeks ago, I was interviewing [Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for] my first show back on Sky News. That morning we’d spent 20 minutes talking about Hughes’ haemorrhoids, and I was about to interview the prime minister about whether our country was ready for war. It did make me think, my Lord, I really do have some very different worlds.”

Erin Molan walks behind her dad Jim Molan’s coffin carrying his military medals. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

On her nearly decade-long stint as a sports reporter and host at the Nine Network, including the NRL Footy Show:

“Sometimes it feels like 50 years ago; other times it feels like yesterday. While some of the harder things got a lot of the attention, I had such an incredible time. I had gone into Channel 9 knowing that it wasn’t common to see women in sport, but [I came] from a family where not for a second did I ever feel that, because of my gender, I was incapable of doing anything.”

On whether she might consider following in her father’s footsteps and entering politics:

“It’s been reported that I was approached by the former government to run. There was speculation recently about state politics as well. Being at Parliament House and talking about Dad’s legacy and listening to the way other senators spoke about him, in some way [that’s put it] back on my radar. Not now, because I’m the mother of a four-and-a-half-year-old [Molan shares daughter Eliza with ex-fiancé Sean Ogilvy, a detective] and the travel as a single mum would be really hard. But some part of me is more open to that. There were things he was fighting for – that are important to this country [and] my daughter’s future – that he didn’t get to achieve because cancer stole that from him. That has lit something inside me. Down the track, [I may] look at [trying] to help finish what he started. He should have had another 10-15 years in [politics]... Our country would have been much richer for it. But we didn’t get that.”

Erin Molan: ‘He was – and I don’t say this lightly – the greatest man I’ve ever known’ Picture: Gary Ramage / NCA Newswire

On the future of her broadcasting career:

“I feel really lucky to be doing it all. How sustainable that is, I don’t know. There’s probably going to be a point – not because I can’t do both, but because I don’t want to do both – when I’ll want to put my attention and energy elsewhere. I still feel like I’m a full-time mum, which is the most important job I have. My biggest thing is: in five years, if I look back and regret not having prioritised my daughter or that relationship, then I’ve failed. That’s my gauge. Everything I do, every job I take, every offer I get... If it takes me away from time I’ve allocated to her, I won’t do it.”

On her upcoming 40th birthday, and how the perception of women of that age has changed… and hasn’t:

“There’s so much pressure. And when women do whatever they want to do – whether that’s to succumb to that pressure to fight ageing, to do what makes them feel good – they get smashed as well. In some ways we still have a long way to go. But in other ways… Look at [Jennifer Lopez]: she’s 53 and smoking hot. Part of me thinks I’d like to give up at some stage… I mean, poor Eliza. ‘What are you doing, Mummy?’ I’m scrubbing off tan. ‘What are you doing now, Mummy?’ I’m putting on tan. ‘What are you doing now, Mummy?’ Waxing my chin, sweetheart. ‘Why don’t you like hair?’ Well, not there, darling. I like it on my head. There’s part of this whole ‘I’m still really hot and I’m 50’ that annoys me. But look, I feel the best I’ve ever felt, physically and in a lot of [other] ways.”

Listen to the full interview with Erin Molan on Something To Talk About here.

Originally published as Erin Molan reveals truth about intrusive funeral photos