Rio Ferdinand has issued some brutally honest advice to parents after he and his children spent years recovering from the heartache of losing his wif to cancer.
The former footballer, 45, welcomed three children, Lorenz, 17, Tate, 14 and Tia, 12, with his late wife Rebecca Ellison - who died from breast cancer aged 34 in 2015.
After taking on the role of mother and father he has now reflected on his hardships and told The Mirror that parents should avoid hiding their vulnerabilities from their children.
Rio said he believes showing kids that their parents are not 'unbreakable' will help them with their mental health long term.
He is now married to former TOWIE star Kate Ferdinand, 32, and they share Cree, two, and daughter Shea, 10 months.
Rio Ferdinand has issued some brutally honest advice to parents after he and his children spent years recovering from the heartache of losing his wif to cancer
The former footballer, 45, welcomed three children, Lorenz, 17, Tate, 14 and Tia, 12, with his late wife Rebecca Ellison (pictured in 2009) - who died from breast cancer aged 34 in 2015
The father-of-five told the publication: 'Sometimes parents come across as unbreakable.
'Dads can come across as a bit macho and mums as bionic women, who juggle everything.
'But if I had any advice for parents it would be that showing vulnerability in front of kids could really help them with their mental health.'
When Rio lost Rebecca they had been together for 15 years and were happily married for nine.
In his book Thinking Out Loud: Love, Grief and Being Mum and Dad, he opened up about the depression and suicidal thoughts he had after losing his wife.
He admitted that he turned to whisky and brandy to cope with the shock and grief.
Rio revealed that while growing up on a rough council estate in Peckham, south east London, emotions and mental health were not regularly talked about.
The football legend revealed that when he was sad a child, he would be told to 'cheer up'.
After taking on the role of mother and father he has now reflected on his hardships and told the Mirror that parents should avoid hiding their vulnerabilities from their children
He said he believes showing kids that their parents are not 'unbreakable' will help them with their mental health long term (pictured with his youngest son Cree)
He is now married to TOWIE's Kate Ferdinand (pictured), 32, and they share Cree, two, and daughter Shea, 10 months
The former TOWIE star married the footballer in 2019, and became a step parent to their now blended family
Previously, Rio's second wife Kate, broke down and revealed in February 2024 the last act of selflessness her husband Rio's late wife Rebecca did for their family before she died.
She revealed that a month before her tragic death, Rebecca managed to go to daughter Tia's fourth birthday party.
Speaking on her Blended podcast with author Emily Dean about it Kate said: 'This is so emotional. It's making me cry because Tia's mum (had) done that for her as well.
'I don't know if I've spoken about this but it was her mission to go to her birthday party.
'It's very similar and they were so ill but the strength to go to their children's birthday party. It makes my heart warm but it's sad as well.'
She continued: 'I put myself in the position as a mum to think of anyone who is a parent and is going to pass away and what is going through their head and in those final moments, they're still thinking of their children and what's best for their children.
'That makes me emotional because it's amazing that you could be so selfless and still putting yourself at the bottom of the pile.'
