‘We can be hot-headed’: How Sally Obermeder makes her marriage work

TV presenter Sally Obermeder made national headlines when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, when she was 41 weeks’ pregnant. Here, the 51-year-old star of The Real Housewives of Sydney talks about the men in the cut-throat world of media who had her back, and what it’s like to work with her husband, Marcus.

Sally Obermeder: “I grew up being picked on for my dark skin.”Credit:

My father was born in Egypt and moved to Australia with my mother, Sarah, when they were in their late 20s. They both worked as accountants and I followed in their footsteps for 10 years of my career.

My parents lived in Italy and Germany before embarking on a life in Australia – they both liked to travel. Dad was ready for a new adventure and was very progressive. I have vivid memories of him washing the family car while I watched from the balcony of our apartment. He would point the hose upward and spray me.

Dad was a very hands-on parent – not that common for men in the 1970s. He taught me to ride a bike, would shoot hoops with me and drive me and my younger sister Maha to netball games. He was the one who helped us with homework and was there to guide us if we had a problem at school. Dad always reassured me everything would be OK. He is in his late 70s now.

I didn’t enjoy my school years. I was bullied and couldn’t wait for them to be over. Boys weren’t really on my radar. I grew up being picked on for my dark skin.

Dad insisted that I always be proud of who I am and always stand up for myself. He taught me to be more assertive by telling me I was safe, loved and would eventually find my place in life. In the same breath he would say, “Don’t let this experience of being bullied define you.”

I was very shy around boys and somewhat of a late bloomer. I didn’t experience my first kiss, with a friend’s boyfriend’s friend, until I was 18.

I was obsessed with musician Jon Bon Jovi when I was 13 and eventually got to meet him as an entertainment reporter on Today Tonight in 2009. Meeting my idol did not disappoint, and my teen self was screaming on the inside. I also had a huge crush on actor Mark Wahlberg and got to meet him in Mexico in 2010. His smile when he walked past me is one I will never forget.

My executive producer at Sydney Weekender, Alan Dungey, was an incredible boss who
championed me when I took the leap into media. He taught me that to be strong on camera, you have to know your strength off camera.

Another great human I worked with for five years was executive producer Craig McPherson at Today Tonight. Being in media is tough, but Craig was always fair, and while the work I was doing was high-pressure, I thrived because he trusted me. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, Craig supported me.

I met my husband, Marcus, at a party when I was 28 – we were both working in finance. I hadn’t been in many long-term relationships prior to that – the longest was seven months. Marcus and I got engaged after six months of dating and married in 2001.

Marcus is my ride or die. He supports, protects and nurtures me and taught me about strength of character. And when the shit hits the fan, that’s when you see the character of someone shine through. I find integrity and strength sexy in a man.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was 41 weeks’ pregnant with our first child. It was Marcus who held me when I was crying at 3am, wondering if I would die and leave my newborn baby behind. He was the person who was there for me emotionally and gave me the great advice to see a therapist. We also work together. Marcus is a scientist who works on product development for our supplements brand, Swiish.

I always wanted to be married with kids – I am very traditional that way – and we have two beautiful daughters: Annabelle, 13, and Elyssa, 8. Our marriage isn’t always bump-free, and we can both be hot-headed, but each of us wants the other to succeed and thrive, so we soften when we realise this.

The Real Housewives of Sydney season three premieres on February 25 on Binge.

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