News | Entertainment
22 Feb 2026 1:28
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
     21 Feb: Hilary Duff "just felt really ready to share" when she returned to the music business
     21 Feb: Zendaya has learned that "so much of life is loss"
     21 Feb: Jelly Roll found reading Bunnie Xo's memoir to be "rough at times"
     21 Feb: Henry Winkler has hailed Ron Howard as "one of the best acting partners" of his career
     21 Feb: Shia LaBeouf has addressed his Mardi Gras arrest with a brief social media message hours after being released from jail
     21 Feb: Kurt Cobain's death has been branded a potential murder by the police officer assigned to audit his death
     21 Feb: Taylor Swift has been confirmed by IFPI as the Official Biggest-Selling Global Artist of the Year 2025
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    It's a Super Rugby "rinse and repeat' moment for Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Two dogs have been impounded by Christchurch Council Animal Management officers and three people are in hospital after an attack in the North West More...



     Today's News

    Auckland:
    A e-bike rider is in hospital after crashing in central Auckland this evening 21:56

    Entertainment:
    Hilary Duff "just felt really ready to share" when she returned to the music business 21:47

    Entertainment:
    Zendaya has learned that "so much of life is loss" 21:17

    Auckland:
    A car has flipped after hitting a parked car in Auckland's Hillsborough this evening 21:16

    International:
    I had a miscarriage over the summer. It was nothing like I expected 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Jelly Roll found reading Bunnie Xo's memoir to be "rough at times" 20:47

    Entertainment:
    Henry Winkler has hailed Ron Howard as "one of the best acting partners" of his career 20:17

    Entertainment:
    Shia LaBeouf has addressed his Mardi Gras arrest with a brief social media message hours after being released from jail 19:47

    Entertainment:
    Kurt Cobain's death has been branded a potential murder by the police officer assigned to audit his death 19:17

    Rugby:
    It's a Super Rugby "rinse and repeat' moment for Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd