Date: 16 August 2019
Originally published in: Berliner Morgenpost (Germany)
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Kim Wilde’s new album “Aliens Live” will be released on Friday. In the interview she talks about family, satisfaction and her future plans.
Berlin. “Kids in America” was Kim Wilde’s first hit. Meanwhile, the 58-year-old Briton herself has offspring. Claudia Böhm spoke to the musician about her children’s puberty, her private fortune with her husband Hal and what plans she is currently forging.
Your children are already grown up. Do you want to get started again?
It is a privilege to raise children and they will always have a place in my life. But it is also nice to see that they are going their own way now and I have more time for myself. It is important to let go of children at some point.
Some parents find that especially difficult. So you have no problem with that?
No, not at all. I may be a bit excited at the idea that they are both out of the house soon. But they know that they can come back anytime.
Have you spent a lot of time with your children in recent years?
Yes, of course, when the kids were in the middle of puberty, they needed me even more than they did today. There were other things important.
As a mother, are you worried that your children might come into contact with drugs?
As a mother anyway, I have to accept that there are a lot of things out of my control, especially now that the kids are getting older and having their own experiences. I can only love and try to accompany you in everything you do. And pray that nothing happens to them. But of course there are no guarantees. Sometimes it really is fate when things happen that you could not even have dreamed of before.
Now that your children are on their own feet, you and your husband will surely have more time for yourselves. What are you doing in your newly gained free time?
We both love being at home or working outside in our garden. We also have a female dog, a 3 year old Airdale Terrier lady named “Beau”, with whom we like to go for a walk. In the meantime we already have two dogs, because we have got a little puppy called “Raine”, so that we can always call “RaineBeau”. (laughs) We love being out in nature, especially in the Lake District in the north of England.
Her husband Hal is seven years younger than you. Was that ever an issue between you? In most marriages, it’s the other way round.
I’ve always had a thing for younger men. I never wanted that typical older, wealthy man. That’s why I also married my “toyboy”. (Laughs)
Where did you meet your husband?
In the theater in London’s Westend. I was just 36 years old and played the role of Mrs. Walker in the musical “Tommy”. There we met each other and fell head over heels in love. We got married very quickly and started a family. I am really happy that I met Hal back then.
What do you think your husband likes about you?
I think he likes that I do not take life too seriously. He fell in love with me because I always see the positive, no matter what. That’s why we fit so well together. We really do have a lot of similarity in many things, though sometimes the scraps fly. (Laughs)
What is important to you today if you compare it to earlier?
I can enjoy the moment more today. Earlier, when I was younger, I always thought there might be something better. I was never really happy with what I had. I always thought tomorrow’s gonna be better, or the next gig will be better, instead of enjoying the moment and being satisfied with what I’ve achieved. Today I am much happier and happier with my life. It is not so important to me what could be tomorrow or in a year. That is the difference. But it took a long time to learn this simple lesson.
Do you feel that you are more demanding today than in the past?
No, I’ve never been very demanding. The only thing that has changed is that I am much more relaxed today than I used to. Even if I work hard. It does not bother me to work overtime. But today I can listen much better and be there for others than before.
And what is the secret of your inner satisfaction?
I am very happy that I have met someone with whom I want to spend my life. A big part of that is certainly the fact that I have children. It is not always easy, but still beautiful. Being a mother has taught me so much about life. It’s great to be part of a family, even if it’s a challenge sometimes. If four people live under one roof, it’s a constant ups and downs. Nevertheless, I’ve learned a lot from living with my daughter, my son, and my husband.
You are now 58 years old. Are you worried that the future is getting shorter and shorter?
Yes, that’s why I want to enjoy my life even more and live much more intensively. Even wilder, even louder, even more colorful. I would like to go on tour with my great band, go on stage and just have fun. I want to celebrate life, now. I do not want to wait until it’s too late for that.
