Natalie Barr says she still struggles with Father’s Day after her father’s tragic death 20 years ago – and believes her grief led to her postnatal depression: ‘It was torture’
Sunrise host Natalie Barr says she still struggles with Father’s Day 20 years after the death of her father Jim.
The 55-year-old presenter tragically lost her father 20 years ago at the age of 61 after losing his battle with heart disease.
Natalie said Father’s Day never gets easier and she misses it deeply when it comes around every year.
Although she said she would like to do more for heart health, she is very upset when the issue is raised on her Channel Seven breakfast show.
“I was very close to my dad, so I’m going to notice things about Father’s Day or a dad or anything heart attack-related,” she said on Mia Freedman’s No Filter podcast.
Sunrise host Natalie Barr says she still struggles with Father’s Day 20 years after the death of her father Jim
“I tried to campaign [heart health] but that didn’t work because I’m too excited.’
Natalie learned that her father had died while she was pregnant with their first child, Lachlan.
She received a shocking phone call in the middle of the night and believes her grief caused her to suffer from postnatal depression when her son was born.
The 55-year-old presenter tragically lost her father at the age of 61, 20 years ago after losing his battle with heart disease (both pictured in 1995)
“They think, ‘Does the baby somehow know I’m upset and grieving? Is that the reason?” [he can’t sleep]?” She said.
“It was torture.”
Two years ago, the Sunrise presenter broke down in tears while trying to raise awareness for the Heart Foundation.
As memories of Natalie and her late father appeared on the screen, she was overcome with emotion.
“I thought I could do that, I’m sorry,” Natalie said while struggling to say something.
“I was very close to my dad, so I’m going to notice things about Father’s Day or a dad or anything heart attack-related,” she said on Mia Freedman’s No Filter podcast. (Nat pictured with her father as a child)
“Oh Nat, it’s about seeing the photos, isn’t it?” asked host Kylie Gillies.
Natalie added that heart disease “destroys families.”
“Fifty people die every day from heart disease… our family went through that 20 years ago and like many, many, many Australian families it destroys your family and you never forget it and you never really get over it,” she said.
“That’s why I support this cause.”
Natalie learned that her father had died while she was pregnant with their first child, Lachlan. She received a shocking phone call in the middle of the night and believes her grief caused her to suffer from postnatal depression when her son was born. (pictured with her husband Andrew Thompson)