Julie Andrews talks about motherhood and being a grandmother

Actress Julie Andrews, 72, talks about being a mother and a grandmother in an interview with PARADE. Julie has daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, 45, with ex-husband Tony Walton, 73, daughters Amy, 34, and Joanna, 32, with husband Blake Edwards, 85, and she has raised Blake’s children Jennifer, 51, and Geoffrey, 48. Her seven grandchildren include Emma’s son Sam, 11 ½, and daughter Hope, 4 ½, and Amy’s son Maximilian.

She admits that step-daughter Jennifer played a big part in her becoming a writer back in 1971,

Here’s what happened. My daughter said, ‘If you don’t stop swearing so much, you’ll have to pay a forfeit.’ I agreed, but then I said some words I regretted. My daughter went, ‘OK, your forfeit is to write me a story.’ So I did, and I enjoyed it. It was an absolute joy. I enjoyed it so much that I thought I’d like to continue. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I also continue swearing occasionally.

Even though Julie gained fame in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, to her grandchildren she’s best known for giving voice to Queen in Shrek.

No, my grandchildren think I’m the hottest grandma ever because I was in Shrek. It just sort of makes grandma cool and not so up there somewhere. But being a grandmother is wonderful because you get all the fun and you get to spoil as much as you like. I’m sure every grandma knows that.

Source: PARADE Magazine; Photo by Aussenard/WireImage.

Thanks to CBB reader Mary Beth.

Comments

I love Julie Andrews! I saw her at the Los Angeles Book Fair not too long ago and she was amazingly sweet. I’m sure she’s a wonderful mother and grandmother.

- Anon. on May 18th, 2008

One of her granddaughters actually had a small part as the dancing girl at the party in the Princess Diaries too.

I’ve always dreamed of Julie being my grandma! haha

- Natasha on May 18th, 2008

natasha – agreed! she’d probably be the best grandma!

- kmb on May 18th, 2008

My dad used to fly first class a lot on overseas trips before he retired ~ and about 25 years ago he was in first class traveling from London back to Calif. and he sat right next to Julie Andrews for the 11-hour flight! He said she was really pretty and very kind and she showed him pictures of Amy and Joanna. At the time, she and her husband had just adopted them (from Korea I believe). My dad was quite taken with her and he always remembered that flight

- Sheri on May 18th, 2008

I just finished her autobiography, “Home”. It was wonderful! I could not put it down. Love, love, love her!

- Daisy Kay on May 18th, 2008

I just hope I look that good at 72!

- daniela on May 18th, 2008

mary poppins swears? lmao! i just love julie andrews. her movies are timeless. i remember being mesmerized when i first saw the sound of music.

- Mary on May 18th, 2008

I grew up watching Julie Andrews and I agree I would love to look that good at 72 years old. I’m glad she’s still doing work. I might get her book some time. I would love to read it. I’m glad to see she is still working and hasn’t retired. Good to hear that she got along with her stepdaughter. Step parenting can be very stressfull.

- Nanny on May 19th, 2008

I bet she is a great Grandma!!! Mary Poppins was the first movie I ever saw in a movie theatre. I was a wee tyke!

- Aitch on May 19th, 2008

Wonderful story Sheri!

- Aitch on May 19th, 2008

Oh my goodness…Mary Poppins has a potty mouth? Oh, I can’t stop laughing!

- Victoria on May 20th, 2008

HEY Every one =]
WOW your dad is the luckiest person in thee world!!!
I love Julie Andrews, she is my favorite actress and I adore all of her movies!
She reminds me a lot of my grandma. She is so loverly xD

Does some one know is she going to sign her autobiography in the Uk?

x
x
x

- Mia Mujovic on July 23rd, 2008