EXCLUSIVE: Mollie King has opened up about the ‘chaos’ of raising two young daughters and how she has learned to embrace the unpredictability of family life
Pop star, radio presenter and all-around ray of sunshine Mollie King has always been known for her infectious energy, from her chart-topping days with The Saturdays to hosting shows on BBC Radio 1.
But in recent years, Mollie’s life has been transformed since taking on a new role – that of doting mum. Sharing daughters Annabella, nearly three, and baby Liliana, with her fiancé, cricketer Stuart Broad, 39, Mollie tells us that she is learning to embrace the chaos that comes with raising two young children.
Reflecting on the hectic nature of life with a toddler and a newborn, Mollie admits that finding her footing wasn’t easy at first, but over time, she has learned to trust herself and embrace the unpredictability of family life.
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“Do you know what, for me, I think the hardest bit with all of that was the lead up to the second birth. I found it really quite nerve-wracking and anxiety- provoking because I was so worried that Annabella would feel like she wasn’t my number one focus… that she might feel like life had changed.”
But with the help of Stuart and her mum, Mollie was able to put those doubts to rest. “Both of them could really reassure me. They were like, that’s not gonna happen, Mollie. She is going to know that you’re really present and she’s going to love having a little sister.”
Now, Mollie approaches motherhood, she says, with a mix of confidence, humour and acceptance of the chaos, and admits watching her two girls interact fills her with joy.
“Watching the two of them together, it is complete chaos — but in the loveliest way. Annabella definitely thinks she is Liliana’s mum and she sort of re-enacts things that I do, which is so sweet. Like she’ll sit and read books to her and get her little clothes out… just adorable.”
Of course, raising two little ones has its fair share of parenting disasters, and Mollie laughs as she recounts one particularly memorable moment. “I actually, foolishly the other day, said, ‘Annabella, I need to run to the toilet very quickly, just look after Liliana.’ Now it was the silliest thing I could have ever said… I looked back and she’s there trying to pick her up and cuddle her, and I was like, oh my gosh, Mollie, you brought this on yourself!”
Mollie credits her passion for her career and her other half’s support for helping her to maintain perspective. “It’s a lot, but I feel so fortunate to be in this position where I’ve got a job that I absolutely adore… Radio 1 keeps me so busy and then just to have these two little girls who are genuinely my best friends.
“If it means that I’m going to bed at midnight most nights, then so be it. I’m just very lucky.”
Parenting has also taught Mollie the importance of taking small moments for herself, whether it’s a walk, a coffee with her mum or a quick workout.
“For me it is just those little things – going out for a walk with the girls or meeting my mum for a coffee or, you know, if I can treat myself to maybe, I don’t know, have two minutes and go on the Peloton or something. Then it’s nice to find that time.”
Despite the busy mornings, bedtime routines and constant juggle of work and family life, Mollie finds her daughters provide a source of daily joy and laughter. “The love that I have for them is just, oh, I can’t even put it into words. I feel like my heart just gets bigger and bigger each day as they get older.”
Now, Mollie is channelling her love of life and her natural optimism into the Sanpellegrino Burst Of Italy campaign, which encourages people to find small moments of joy in everyday life — something that resonates deeply with her personal philosophy.
“I think that the whole idea behind this campaign is so important. I think so many of us, after summer, do feel a little bit gloomy. And I’ve always been somebody who likes to kind of be as joyful and as positive as possible.”
Explaining how she incorporates joy into her daily life, she adds, “I love going out for walks. I love inviting friends over. A big part of this campaign is still embracing that alfresco eating, which I love doing, even if it’s me and my friends all snuggled up in blankets — but just really focusing on those things that do bring you joy.”
The campaign, which celebrates the Italians’ famously pleasure-seeking approach to life, also taps into Mollie’s personal nostalgia. “I feel like, oh my gosh, this just takes me back to like those Italian holidays and being in the sunshine with my family growing up. It takes me back to that sort of carefree Italian lifestyle, which is another thing that appealed to me with this campaign.”
“I do genuinely feel like we all need to just find those moments of joy and take on that carefree Italian lifestyle a bit. Embrace the joy!”
