News | Entertainment
27 Feb 2026 5:21
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
     26 Feb: Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault
     26 Feb: BAFTA judge Jonte Richardson has resigned following the racial slur row which overshadowed Sunday night's (22.02.26) ceremony
     26 Feb: Kerry Katona will "100 per cent get married" to her boyfriend Paolo Margaglione
     26 Feb: Frankie Bridge was "terrified" of starting ketamine therapy because she had never taken drugs before
     26 Feb: Hilary Duff's "heart aches" for her former Lizzie McGuire co-star Robert Carradine
     26 Feb: Zachery Ty Bryan has been sentenced to 16 months in prison over a DUI arrest
     26 Feb: AJ Styles will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame over WrestleMania weekend
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Portia Woodman-Wickcliffe has retired from rugby for a second time, aged 34 More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Air New Zealand's dismissing David Seymour's claims its financial strife is down to 'woke' endeavours More...



     Today's News

    Rugby:
    Portia Woodman-Wickcliffe has retired from rugby for a second time, aged 34 4:57

    Rugby:
    Tyrel Lomax is closing in on a return to top level rugby after five months sidelined 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault 21:51

    Entertainment:
    BAFTA judge Jonte Richardson has resigned following the racial slur row which overshadowed Sunday night's (22.02.26) ceremony 21:21

    Law and Order:
    A person has died in hospital following a major incident in Christchurch's Northcote last Wednesday 21:17

    Law and Order:
    Pro-democracy Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai's fraud offence overturned 21:07

    International:
    New image taken by ALMA telescope reveals 'extraordinary' detail of Milky Way's central zone 20:57

    Entertainment:
    Kerry Katona will "100 per cent get married" to her boyfriend Paolo Margaglione 20:51

    International:
    Cuba claims 'armed terrorist infiltration' prevented during open water speedboat shootout 20:37

    Entertainment:
    Frankie Bridge was "terrified" of starting ketamine therapy because she had never taken drugs before 20:21


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd