Lisa Curry reflects on the joy of being a grandmother as she faces Mother’s Day after the tragic deaths of her daughter Jaimi and mum Pat

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Lisa Curry has reflected on the joy of being a grandmother, as she marks Mother’s Day without her eldest child Jaimi and mother Pat. 

The 59-year-old swimmer tragically lost Jaimi two years ago, while Pat passed away more recently in April. 

‘I just love being a grandmother,’ the former Olympian told 9Honey on Sunday.  

Silver lining: Lisa Curry, 59, (pictured) has reflected on the joy of being a grandmother, as she marks Mother's Day without her eldest child Jaimi and mother Pat

Silver lining: Lisa Curry, 59, (pictured) has reflected on the joy of being a grandmother, as she marks Mother’s Day without her eldest child Jaimi and mother Pat

Lisa, who third grandchild is due at the end of May, continued:’ You get all the good parts, you get to relive having a baby again, you have little kids around you doing fun things, then they go back to their parents’. 

‘And you get your life back and need a nana nap!’

She currently has two grandchildren, Flynn and Taj, with daughter Morgan currently expecting her third child with husband Ryan Gruell.

'I just love being a grandmother': Lisa currently has two grandchildren, Flynn and Taj, with daughter Morgan currently expecting her third child with husband Ryan Gruell (all pictured)

‘I just love being a grandmother’: Lisa currently has two grandchildren, Flynn and Taj, with daughter Morgan currently expecting her third child with husband Ryan Gruell (all pictured) 

Lisa (pictured with Morgan), ' You get all the good parts, you get to relive having a bay again, you have little kids around you doing fun things, then they go back to their parents'

Doting granny: Lisa (pictured with Morgan) continued:’ You get all the good parts, you get to relive having a baby again, you have little kids around you doing fun things, then they go back to their parents’

Speaking out: Lisa's late daughter Jaimi (pictured with Lisa) had endured weigh-ins when she participated in outrigging as a 15-year-old, before later being diagnosed with an eating disorder

Speaking out: Lisa’s late daughter Jaimi (pictured with Lisa) had endured weigh-ins when she participated in outrigging as a 15-year-old, before later being diagnosed with an eating disorder

In the interview, the seven-times Commonwealth Games gold medallist also criticised kids sport organisers for weighing children before events.

Her late daughter Jaimi had endured weigh-ins when she participated in outrigging as a 15-year-old, before later being diagnosed with an eating disorder.

‘[Jaimi] would come home crying, saying, “Oh, I’ve put on 200g, Mum, I’m in trouble,” and you don’t know how much that contributes to the voice in their head every day,’ said Lisa.

The emotional interview comes after the Olympian revealed to Today Extra hosts David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys that she has a thumb print of her late daughter Jaimi imprinted on a necklace, which she carries with her ‘always’.

Heartache: The Olympic swimmer broke down in tears during an emotional interview on Today Extra on Wednesday morning

Heartache: The Olympic swimmer broke down in tears during an emotional interview on Today Extra on Wednesday morning

Jaimi tragically died in September 2020 at the age of 33, following a lengthy battle with alcohol addiction and an eating disorder.

‘She’s never far away. She’s always around somehow,’ Lisa smiled. ‘This is a little gift that I gave to our whole family. It’s her thumb print that they took for us.

‘It’s always a reminder to look after yourself and live your best life.’

David then asked Lisa how she manages to lift herself back up in her darkest times, after first losing Jaimi and then her mother Pat in April this year.

Tribute: The 59-year-old revealed she has had a thumb print of her late daughter Jaimi made into a necklace, which she carries with her 'always'

Tribute: The 59-year-old revealed she has had a thumb print of her late daughter Jaimi made into a necklace, which she carries with her ‘always’

Loss: Jaimi (right) tragically died in September 2020 at the age of 33, following a lengthy battle with alcohol addiction and an eating disorder

Loss: Jaimi (right) tragically died in September 2020 at the age of 33, following a lengthy battle with alcohol addiction and an eating disorder

‘It’s… see, I can’t talk about it,’ Lisa responded, bursting into tears.

‘It’s really hard. Every person that you pass on the street is probably going through a similar thing, but it’s not known because they’re not that public person.’

Taking a breath, she added: ‘I have to draw on every lesson I’ve learned through my career to try and get through.’

Loss: Lisa faced more heartache in April when her mother Pat died. (Jaimi and Pat are pictured)

Loss: Lisa faced more heartache in April when her mother Pat died. (Jaimi and Pat are pictured)

Jaimi was Lisa’s daughter from her marriage to ex-husband Grant Kenny, a fellow Olympian and former Ironman. She is now married to singer Mark Tabone.

‘It’s difficult, as you can see. Grant hasn’t said anything, because he can’t. You can think you know what grief is, but until you’re in it it’s completely different,’ she said.

‘I’ve had Mark by my side, and my kids, and Grant and if it wasn’t for them… some days you just, can’t.’

Family: Lisa (left) married Grant Kenny (right) in 1984, before the pair separated in 2009. They welcomed three children together: son Jett, 28, and daughters Morgan, 31, and Jaimi (centre)

Family: Lisa (left) married Grant Kenny (right) in 1984, before the pair separated in 2009. They welcomed three children together: son Jett, 28, and daughters Morgan, 31, and Jaimi (centre)

Jaimi died at Sunshine Coast University Hospital on September 14, 2020, surrounded by her family.

She was receiving treatment for an eating disorder at the time of her death. 

Lisa and Grant married in 1984, separated in 2009 and welcomed three children together: son Jett, 28, and daughters Morgan, 31, and Jaimi.

In need of support? Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Kid’s Helpline on 1800 55 1800

Love story: The retired competitive swimmer married Elvis impersonator Mark Tabone in 2018

Love story: The retired competitive swimmer married Elvis impersonator Mark Tabone in 2018

Who is Lisa Curry? 

  • A former competitive swimmer and Ironwoman, Lisa has won 30 international swimming medals
  • As a swimmer, she represented Australia 16 times from 1977 to 1992
  • Lisa competed in three Olympic Games – Moscow (1980), Los Angeles (1984) and Barcelona (1992) 
  • The Brisbane-born star was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985
  • Turning her hand to reality TV, Lisa starred in Channel Nine’s The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2011
  • In 2017, she joined Network Ten’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 
  • Lisa married former Ironman and Olympic bronze medallist Grant Kenny in 1984. They separated in May 2009 
  • They share three children including Jaimi, son Jett, 28, and daughter Morgan, 31 
  • She announced her engagement to entertainer Mark Tabone in October 2016. They wed in May 2018
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