Published: 23:16 BST, 15 September 2020 | Updated: 02:11 BST, 16 September 2020
Jaimi Kenny, the daughter of Australian sporting legends Lisa Curry and Grant Kenny, died on Monday at the age of 33, after secretly battling an eating disorder for years.
And in the days following her death, details have surfaced about Jaimi’s private life – including how she would be fiercely protective of her mother in the face of criticism.
In 2014, Jaimi blasted false and hurtful reports that Lisa, 58, was planning to have children out of ‘revenge’ because her ex-husband had just become a father again.
Defensive: Lisa Curry (right) and Grant Kenny’s late daughter Jaimi (left) was very protective of her mother, as resurfaced social media posts show her lashing out against cruel trolls
At the time, Lisa was dating a man two decades her junior, Joel Walkenhorst, and there were rumours the couple wanted to have children.
Much of the commentary on social media was negative, and it was suggested by some that Lisa’s desire to have a baby at 51 was about ‘getting back’ at ex-husband Grant, who had welcomed a daughter with radio host Fifi Box in 2013.
She wrote on Instagram: ‘Mum wanting a child had nothing to do with Fifi… Mum had talked with us about her thoughts on going through IVF before Trixie was conceived.
‘You never know the conversations we have had as a family, or the timing of these. It’s upsetting to read such nasty things being said about our mother, without people knowing her personally.’
Hitting back: In 2014, Jaimi blasted false and hurtful reports that Lisa, 58, was planning to have children with then-boyfriend Joel Walkenhorst (right) out of ‘revenge’ because her ex-husband had just become a father again. Pictured on August 5, 2012 in Sydney
Fake news: At the time, much of the commentary on social media was negative – and it was suggested by some that Lisa’s desire to have a baby at 51 was about ‘getting back’ at Grant, who had welcomed a daughter with radio host Fifi Box in 2013. Pictured with Joel
Supportive: Jaimi stepped up to defend her mother, writing on Instagram: ‘Mum wanting a child had nothing to do with Fifi… Mum had talked with us about her thoughts on going through IVF before Trixie was conceived’
Jaimi’s parents, Grant and Lisa, separated in 2009 after 23 years of marriage, before finalising their divorce in 2017.
Grant dated Fifi for several months in 2012, but had broken up by the time she welcomed daughter Beatrix ‘Trixie’ Belle via IVF the following year.
Fifi did not acknowledge Grant was Trixie’s father until 2016, when she shared a photo to Instagram of the retired athlete attending their child’s third birthday party.
Family ties: Grant welcomed a daughter named Trixie with radio host Fifi Box in 2013, after they’d dated for several months in 2012. Fifi did not acknowledge Grant was Trixie’s father until 2016, when she shared this photo to Instagram of him at their child’s third birthday party
In June 2019, Fifi welcomed another daughter, Daisy Belle, via IVF and an anonymous donor. The identity of Daisy’s father is not public knowledge.
Despite splitting with Grant months before giving birth to Trixie, Fifi remained close to his children from his first marriage: Jaimi, Morgan and Jett.
Jaimi would even babysit her much younger half-sister on occasion while single mum Fifi was at work.
Nothing but love: Despite splitting with Grant months before giving birth to Trixie, Fifi remained close to his children from his first marriage. Jaimi would even babysit her much younger half-sister on occasion while single mum Fifi was at work (pictured in 2015)
‘It is with a very heavy heart that Lisa and I confirm our beautiful daughter Jaimi has lost her battle with a long-term illness and passed away peacefully in hospital this morning in the company of loving family,’ read the statement by Jaimi’s father, Grant.
‘Jaimi will forever be remembered as a caring, bright and loving soul who always put others before herself,’ it continued.
‘Our hearts are broken and the pain is immense but we must move forward cherishing every wonderful moment we got to share with our treasured first child.
‘We thank the incredible team at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital for their tireless commitment to making her better and giving us the extra time we were able to spend with her.
‘It goes without saying that this is a very difficult time for family and friends and we trust we will all be allowed to grieve in privacy.’
While the family’s statement did not specify the exact nature of Jaimi’s illness, it’s understood she had long battled an eating disorder.
While the family’s statement on Monday did not specify the nature of Jaimi’s illness, it’s understood she had long battled an eating disorder. Pictured: Lisa carrying Jaimi on her shoulders after winning gold at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand
Jaimi is pictured as a baby with her father, Grant Kenny, in a family photo from 1987
Her family had supported her through years of treatment at the End ED private clinic on the Sunshine Coast.
Jaimi is survived her her sister Morgan, brother Jett, mother Lisa, father Grant and half-sister Trixie.
For free and confidential support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Butterfly Foundation for eating disorder concerns on 1800 ED HOPE
The daughter of Australian sporting greats Lisa Curry and Grant Kenny had long battled an eating disorder, with her family supporting her through years of treatment at a private clinic.
Jaimi Kenny passed away at Sunshine Coast University Hospital on Monday morning surrounded by her family, including both her Olympian mother and Ironman father.
The 33-year-old had been supported by her parents and siblings through many years of treatment at private clinic End ED, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Shattered staff at the clinic said they could not discuss Jaimi’s struggle, but told how she became part of the ‘family’ over the years.
Despite her struggles with weight, friends of Jaimi told how she always brought ‘light and laughter’ to the lives of those she around her.
‘Our hearts are completely broken. Our beautiful daughter Jaimi has lost her battle with a long-term illness and passed away peacefully in hospital yesterday morning with her loving family by her side,’ Lisa wrote.
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