News | Entertainment
20 Feb 2026 19:33
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Jamie Oliver wants his children to "struggle as much as possible"

    The 49-year-old chef - who has Poppy, 22, Daisy, 21, Petal, 15, Buddy, 13, and seven-year-old River with wife Jools - has spoken about his difficulties with ADHD and dyslexia but he believes it is important to face challenges throughout life.


    He told Psychologies magazine: "Confidence, worry and anxiety are all part of a cauldron of emotions that challenge us.

    "When you're young, they can present themselves as things that hold you back.

    "But, as you get older, [they provide] a tension that makes you do your best work.

    "Life's not supposed to be linear or easy. I want my kids to struggle as much as possible, in a safe and controlled way. If it's too easy, it's really vanilla."

    Jamie has raised his kids to look at life with a positive attitude.

    He explained: "Even today, I say to my girls, you have to brush your teeth, look in the mirror, and decide it's going to be a positive day - decide to be glass half-full.

    "And I know it's easier said than done. But if you try, it's about being glass half-full most of the time and hopefully having friends around you that will catch you on the not-so-good days."

    The 'Billy and the Epic Escape' writer grew up in a pub and he dreams of opening a boozer of his own one day.

    He said: "When I left for London at 16, my dream was to come back.

    "I love my life. And I love my team. And I love the work that I have the opportunity to do.

    "But I still haven't fulfilled my career goal, which was to open a beautiful pub and do my version of what I grew up in."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     20 Feb: Tyra Banks refused to speak to Jay Manuel when he returned to America's Next Top Model
     20 Feb: Taylor Swift has thrown her support behind Team USA's figure skaters as they prepare to take to the ice at the Winter Olympics
     20 Feb: Olivia Colman thinks "people are too nervous" about gender and sexuality
     20 Feb: Rev. Jesse Jackson has died "peacefully surrounded by his family"
     20 Feb: Lily Collins wants to celebrate "individuality" after joining Zalando as its first global brand ambassador
     20 Feb: Donald Trump has threatened Nancy Guthrie's kidnappers with the death penalty if she isn't returned alive
     20 Feb: Robert De Niro hopes he can live as long as Robert Duvall
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    High hopes for one of the Hurricanes' newest recruits More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Hopes are lifting among Auckland businesses for the economic recovery More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Tyra Banks refused to speak to Jay Manuel when he returned to America's Next Top Model 19:17

    Rugby League:
    New Zealand Warriors coach Andrew Webster is embracing the team's unfortunate injury-run, as they finish their NRL pre-season against the Dolphins in Sydney tonight 18:57

    International:
    Timeline of key moments leading to former prince Andrew's arrest 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Taylor Swift has thrown her support behind Team USA's figure skaters as they prepare to take to the ice at the Winter Olympics 18:47

    Environment:
    High hopes for one of the Hurricanes' newest recruits 18:37

    Accident and Emergency:
    Not just sport and car crashes: debunking 5 myths about traumatic brain injury in NZ 18:17

    Law and Order:
    How Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 10 hours in police custody unfolded 18:17

    Entertainment:
    Olivia Colman thinks "people are too nervous" about gender and sexuality 18:17

    Law and Order:
    Police say they have disrupted a crime syndicate using the dark web to import and distribute drugs throughout the country 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Rev. Jesse Jackson has died "peacefully surrounded by his family" 17:47


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd