on the power of perspective
“I always had a hard time, particularly
on my own in concerts, going out in
front of an audience. I was terrified.
I spent an entire year on tour working
on it. I discovered that I always went
out hoping that audiences would
like what I had to offer, but what I
realized is that they were paying
good money to come to my party, so
to speak. When I got my head around
that concept, it was a tremendous
difference in terms of getting out
there and bonding with people.”
On The princess Diaries 3
“Anne Hathaway spoke to me about
it two or three years ago, but I have no idea
where that stands. I’d love to do it, but
I really don’t know. I guess it’s very much
up to her schedule.”
On ditching mom guilt
“I always felt that as long as my family was
safe, happy, healthy, if they were good and
content, which wasn’t always the case, then I
could also get on with my work. I think I felt
it was important to set an example in a way.
It wasn’t always easy, though. I once said to
my youngest daughter, ‘Oh, I just wish I had
been around more at that time,’ and she said,
‘Mum, look at us — when we’re grown up,
we’re going to say to you, “Well, you’re a fool;
you could have done this, this and this, and
you should have done it.” ’ I thought that was
very lovely of her. It was a kind of blessing.”
On 41 years of marriage
“I learned that it’s like a graph. It has ups and
downs, and as long as things bounce back
up, you’ve got a good marriage. If it heads
straight down, then you have some problems!
When Blake and I married, we’d both been
married before and were both unsure, as
one can be when you’re doing it the second
time around. Blake said, ‘Look, we’ll just take
it a day at a time.’ We made a pact, each day
for itself, and decided not to look to some
glorious, golden happy ending. That seems to
have been the secret for me.”
on finding forgiveness
“I wish I’d known in the younger days so
much that I know now. I wish I knew more
about addiction and how it is an illness.
But I did know that he tried very hard and
fought against it a great deal, so I certainly
have a lot of forgiveness in my heart.”
On looking ageless
“It comes down to attitude. I think
remaining curious, remaining open
to all the new things that are coming
along, keeps me youthful. I’m
stunned at some of the wonders
that are still unfolding — going to
Mars, for instance.”
on joyful moments
“My mother began [our family’s
Christmas tradition]. She, as did I,
hated the fact that there was this
huge orgy of presents being opened
in the morning when we were young. She
decided to save one small gift for the end
of the day and hang it on the tree. So I’ve
followed that tradition. When the day is
done and we’re sitting around reminiscing
and having a cup of hot chocolate, I hand
one gift off the tree, a little tiny packet,
to every member. And then they each
open it at the same time. It gives the kids
something to look forward to and makes
a lovely ending to the day.”
on her wish list for life
“Learn another language, travel more, write
and read more books. That’s all part of my
wish list. I’m still feeling an appetite for all the
great things I want to do. I suppose the wish
list is that I stay healthy and bright enough
to be able to embrace them.”
—Reporting by Nathalie Whittleread it!
Home Work: A Memoir of
My Hollywood Years by
Julie Andrews (Hachette
Books) is out now.Julie Andrews
The icon opens up about her surprisingly complicated life
SHE’S THE QUEEN OF FAMILY M OVIE NIGHT, with roles in the classics Mary
Poppins, The Sound of Music and The Princess Diaries— but Dame Julie Andrews’
real life has been nothing like a Disney movie. In her first memoir, Home, Andrews
revealed a tumultuous childhood. Her mother left her father (who she later discov-
ered was not her father) for another man, who was abusive. Andrews joined the
couple’s vaudeville act and eventually, as the main breadwinner, ended her schooling
at the age of 15 to become a full-time stage actress.
Home Work, Andrews’ latest tell-all, picks up the thread at the moment she lands
in Los Angeles to become a movie star. This chapter too is more family drama than
fairy tale, but tinged with humor. Some of the focus is on her four-decade marriage to lumi-
nary Hollywood director Blake Edwards (they collaborated on numerous films, most notably
Victor/Victoria). She’s honest about their struggles — like her supporting him through depres-
sion and addiction to pain medication — but, as always, she seems stronger for having perse-
vered through them. We asked for her biggest life lessons from those tough times and
terrific ones. Andrews, 84, answered with her signature candor and charm.
AWESOME WOMAN
Julie Andrews and
Blake Edwards in 1979.Discover exclusive intervw
48 GH DECEMBER 2019
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dAndrews:Getty
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