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Heart-warming trait in Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin’s miracle baby

The widow of Australian snowboarding champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin has shared the one feature in their miracle daughter that reminds her of him.

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Ellidy Pullin, the widow of Australian snowboard champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, has revealed the wish she hoped would come true after giving birth to their daughter 15 months after his death.

The winter Olympian drowned in a shock spearfishing accident in Palm Beach in July 2020 – he was just 32 years old.

The 29-year-old mum has spoken previously about the controversial decision that ultimately allowed their daughter Minnie to be born.

When Pullin died suddenly, a friend of Ms Pullin’s told her that they could have his sperm extracted within the first few days of his death.

“I didn’t even let him finish the sentence. I just said ‘Go, do whatever you need to do. Make it happen,” she told the Life Uncut podcast.

Now, the young mum has shared the private hope she carried while pregnant with her late partner’s child.

Ellidy Pullin and miracle daughter Minnie, who was born 15 months after her father’s death. Picture: Sunrise
Ellidy Pullin and miracle daughter Minnie, who was born 15 months after her father’s death. Picture: Sunrise

“It’s weird, I literally said I can‘t wait to look into my baby’s eyes and see him and she literally has his eyes,” Ms Pullin said.

“It’s like they fell into her.”

Minnie’s first birthday is fast approaching and Ms Pullin said her miracle baby was looking more and more like her father every day.

“I see none of me, she is his twin,” she told Sunrise on Wednesday.

“As soon as she popped out she had those eyes. His exact brown almond eyes, she’s got them.”

The memoir Heartstrong dives into the story of love and loss. Picture: Sunrise
The memoir Heartstrong dives into the story of love and loss. Picture: Sunrise
Ms Pullin decided to have Chumpy’s sperm extracted from him after his death. Picture: Instagram
Ms Pullin decided to have Chumpy’s sperm extracted from him after his death. Picture: Instagram

Ms Pullin has just released a memoir, Heartstrong, exploring the heartbreaking journey of losing her life-partner in her 20s.

“I always want to keep Chumpy a household name and keep his spirit alive as much as possible, so it felt right,” she said.

Sunrise Host David Koch asked the young mum if the experience of writing about Pullin’s death brought up some difficult emotions.

“The hardest part was possibly rehashing our relationship and where it started and our life together, but it was also really beautiful in that I was just getting butterflies again,” she said.

Pullin died in a spearfishing incident in 2020. Picture: David Kapernick
Pullin died in a spearfishing incident in 2020. Picture: David Kapernick

“It definitely was therapeutic and I think very healing for me to do.”

The young mum said the decision to have Pullin’s baby was the best thing she’d ever done.

“We take each day as it comes, but honestly she is the best thing ever,” Ms Pullin said

“She brings me so much joy and I don’t know what I do without her. She is the best.”

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/winter-olympics/heartwarming-trait-in-alex-chumpy-pullins-miracle-baby/news-story/5f24e8b94f214e138e2c8701ec3d2d88