Nigella Lawson, 62, opens up about losing her mother and sister at a young age as she reveals her laid-back attitude to getting older: 'You can't get too stressed about it'

By Caleb Taylor For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Nigella Lawson has revealed how the early deaths of her mother and sister influenced her views on ageing.

The celebrity chef, 62, told New Idea that worrying about getting older seems 'odd' to her having lost loved ones who died before their time.

'My mother died at 48 and my sister died at 32, so to mind about getting older would be slightly odd,' she told the magazine.

Perspective: Nigella Lawson (pictured on January 22, 2016 in Sydney) has revealed how the early deaths of her mother and sister influenced her views on ageing

Perspective: Nigella Lawson (pictured on January 22, 2016 in Sydney) has revealed how the early deaths of her mother and sister influenced her views on ageing

'I'm much more concerned with my health and keeping mobile. It might sound corny, but if you're well, then that really is the most important thing,' she added. 

Nigella lost her mother Vanessa Salmon in 1985 to liver cancer. Her sister Thomasina died from breast cancer eight years later, in 1993.

This wasn't her only experience with grief, as her first husband, journalist John Diamond, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1997 and died in March 2001.

Wise: The 62-year-old (seen here in her twenties) told New Idea that worrying about getting older seems 'odd' to her having lost loved ones who died before their time. 'My mother died at 48 and my sister died at 32, so to mind about getting older would be slightly odd,' she said

Wise: The 62-year-old (seen here in her twenties) told New Idea that worrying about getting older seems 'odd' to her having lost loved ones who died before their time. 'My mother died at 48 and my sister died at 32, so to mind about getting older would be slightly odd,' she said

The MasterChef Australia star, who is known for her age-defying appearance, said she doesn't focus too much on ageing.  

'You can't get too stressed about it because it's going to happen,' she said.

But she admitted she is sometimes reminded of her age when she looks at her hands and thinks to herself: 'Oh, my God!'

'But what are you going to do? It's just life,' Nigella added. 'Since you can't change it, there's no point in focusing on it too much.'

Family: Nigella lost her mother Vanessa Salmon in 1985 to liver cancer. Her sister Thomasina died from breast cancer eight years later, in 1993. (The Lawson family is pictured here in 1965)

Family: Nigella lost her mother Vanessa Salmon in 1985 to liver cancer. Her sister Thomasina died from breast cancer eight years later, in 1993. (The Lawson family is pictured here in 1965)

Loss: This wasn't her only experience with grief, as her first husband, journalist John Diamond, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1997 and died in March 2001. (They are pictured in 2000)

Loss: This wasn't her only experience with grief, as her first husband, journalist John Diamond, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1997 and died in March 2001. (They are pictured in 2000)

Nigella is in Australia for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. There are rumours she could also film a guest role for MasterChef while in the country. 

The celebrated food writer told Good Housekeeping last month she just wants to live in the moment.

'I now understand how important it is to stay in the moment and not worry about all the things that could go wrong,' she told the magazine. 

'At this point in my life, if something is making me happy, I don't want to chip away at it thinking, 'Oh, this is going to end,' because that feels ungrateful.' 

'Don't worry about all the things that could go wrong': The celebrated food writer told Good Housekeeping last month she just wants to live in the moment

'Don't worry about all the things that could go wrong': The celebrated food writer told Good Housekeeping last month she just wants to live in the moment

Nigella Lawson

Most watched News videos

Comments 1

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.