Frida Andersson, wife of former England footballer Jamie Redknapp, has shared that their son Raphael, aged four, has been instrumental in bringing their blended family together.
Andersson, a Swedish model, has four children from her previous marriage to American hedge fund manager Jonathan Lourie, including three sons and a daughter. Jamie Redknapp has two sons, Charley, 21, and Beau, 17, from his marriage to singer Louise Redknapp.
The couple met through mutual acquaintances in 2020 and married in 2021. Andersson stated that their blended family truly began to bond after the birth of their son, Raphael, in November 2021.
"Going through a divorce is like putting a family through a tumble dryer," Andersson told The Mid Point with Gabby Logan podcast. "Having Rapha has been a godsend – he's the glue. Everyone wanted to come home and see Rapha."
She also noted a shift in her parenting style, saying, "I'm a calmer mum now. I talk to him in a completely different way."
Jamie Redknapp has also spoken about his personal life, revealing he has been sober for two years. This decision followed a severe hangover after his 50th birthday celebration, an event he remembers little of due to excessive drinking.
Redknapp explained his decision to abstain from alcohol, stating he had never had a problematic relationship with drinking but suffered from consistently terrible hangovers. The desire to be healthier and more present for his son Raphael, whom he became a father to again at age 49, was a significant factor.
Speaking on The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Redknapp recounted the night of his 50th birthday. After a father-son tournament and drinks, he continued celebrating at a hired restaurant and later a club. He admitted to not eating and consuming several tequilas, leading to a state he described as being "hammered off my nut." The subsequent hangover was so severe that it prompted his decision to stop drinking.
"That feeling of not memorising anything that happened was just horrendous for me," Redknapp said. "So I thought I'm going to stop... And I don't necessarily feel that much better for it, but I just feel pleased that I've done it."
Redknapp also mentioned that while he did not have a drug or alcohol problem himself, he felt compelled to stop after observing friends who had struggled with such issues. His aim is to be as healthy as possible, particularly for his young son, Raphael, wanting to be an active and present father.