Jamie's grounding force: How millionaire chef's teen sweetheart Jools Oliver, who turns 50 today, struggled with his 'rock star fame' and checked his phone amid cheating suspicions - before settling into her family life away from the cameras
- Jamie and Jools Oliver have spent over 3 decades together and have 5 children
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They say that behind every great man, there stands a woman - and in Jamie Oliver's case, that's been his wife Jools for the past 33 years.
This morning, the celebrity chef, 49, shared a gushing tribute to his other half with his 10.5m followers - describing Jools as the 'most incredible wife, best friend and wonderful human' he has ever known on her 50t birthday.
The couple, who share five children and live in Essex, met as teenagers when Jamie's friend convinced him to go on a double date with Jools.
Shortly afterwards, Jools, then aged 17, relocated to Tokyo for three months for work - prompting Jamie, who is a self-confessed romantic, wrote her love letters everyday.
But while the couple's early romance - when Jamie was an aspiring chef and Jools a waitress - sounds like it's been lifted from a rom-com, they have had their fair share of trying times too - particularly when the TV star reached 'rock star' levels of fame in 1999.
In the years that followed, Jools has spoken about monitoring her husband's phones and emails - prompting Jamie, who previously said he feels 'lonely sometimes' in his marriage, to accuse her of being 'jealous'.
The couple have also been open about their heartbreak over their devastating five miscarriages, including one that almost cost Jools her life and left her with PTSD.
Here FEMAIL reveals how Jools Oliver has been the silent force behind Jamie's success for the past three decades.
Pictured: Jamie Oliver and his wife Jools on their wedding day in 2000. The couple went on to have five children
The couple (pictured at Wimbledon this July), who share five children and live in Essex, met as teenagers when Jamie's friend convinced him to go on a double date with Jools
Early shows of romance and heartwarming proposal
In 1992, Jamie Oliver met his future wife when he went on a double date with his friend Jimmy Doherty, who has also become a TV presenter.
In an interview with the Daily Mail in 2018, Jamie explained how Jimmy introduced him to Jools - who went by Juliette Norton then - when he was 18 years old.
He said: 'We went on a double date to the cinema in Cambridge – me, Jamie, Juliette and Sue Stump.
'He had a Fiesta with big fog lights and an exhaust like a tractor on it. We were going over a hill listening to Bob Marley, Buffalo Soldier.
'We’re all singing, the guy braked in front of us and Jamie smashed into him and knocked his front lights out.'
Oliver added: ‘My fog lights were hanging off so I just ripped them out and threw them away. I was so upset.’
‘Your car’s everything at that age,’ says Jimmy. ‘Juliette must have thought, “What the hell?"'
In 1992, Jamie Oliver met his future wife when he went on a double date with his friend Jimmy Doherty, who has also become a TV presenter
Not long after, Jools moved to Tokyo for a job and detailed how Jamie wrote to her every single day for three months.
In 2017, Jools shared a picture of the letters she has kept from her time away - writing: 'When I was 17 I worked in Tokyo for three months and every single day Jamie sent me a letter or a fax without fail! These are only half of them.'
The mother-of-five also detailed how she has also hung onto a bottle of perfume Jamie bought her at Liverpool Street station in London, where they would meet after she'd finished work and he broke up from college.
Reflecting on this time, Jamie admitted that they were heavily reliant on Jools' job to survive in London.
He told Flow Magazine: 'I was as poor as a church mouse; at the end of the month, I’d hardly have £100 left, and without Jools’ tips things would have been really grim.'
Earlier this month, Jamie explained how Jools' father, who worked as a stockbroker, had a devastating stroke when she was nine, which 'really affected her childhood'.
In an interview on the Will & Woody show, the chef said: 'I was lucky enough to know him.'
Not long after they began dating, Jamie asked Jools' father for his permission to propose - but was told they were too young to get married.
Undated photo of Jamie and Jools Oliver before their wedding in 2000. The couple have been together since they were teenagers
Pictured: Jools Oliver as a child with her late father. On Father's Day in 2020, Jools paid tribute to her late parent - writing: 'I am so glad Jamie got to meet my dad and they got on so well.'
When she was 22 years old, Jools' father sadly passed away. As he could no longer ask him for permission, Jamie decided to find a way to work his late father-in-law into his romantic proposal.
The father-of-five explained: 'I proposed to Jools in the pouring rain on Christmas Eve over his grave, which sounds really sad, but it was more out of respect for wanting to do it in front of him, even though he wasn't alive.
'It was a vile, dark time - but such a beautiful thing.'
On Father's Day in 2020, Jools paid tribute to her late parent - writing: 'I am so glad Jamie got to meet my dad and they got on so well.
'I always wanted to marry a kind, gentle man who would be a brilliant father to our children and to always put family first. I believe I did just that!'
Struggle with 'rock star' fame and Jamie's 'broken promise'
Pictured: Jamie Oliver in a promotional image for The Naked Chef in 1999, Jools (left) seen kissing his cheek
In 1999, Jamie Oliver skyrocketed to fame when his show The Naked Chef premiered on BBC Two. He subsequently went on to release a series of best-selling cookbooks, which helped turn him into a household name.
During the early days of their relationship, Jamie and Jools had agreed he would spend five years on the London restaurant scene before returning to Essex to open a pub and raise a family. However, their lives ended up playing out drastically differently.
After training at Westminster Catering College and working in Carluccio's, the 23-year-old became the sous chef at The River Cafe - where his natural talent in front of the cameras was picked up by BBC producers filming a documentary about the Fulham restaurant.
In an interview with The Telegraph in 2010, Jamie explained how women began 'throwing themselves' at him during the show's three-year run.
He said: 'It was classic slightly rock star-esque: random knickers and bras getting thrown at you.
'When The Naked Chef kicked off, it was a bit like a pop band. The memories of it were absolutely ballistically crazy.'
In 1999, Jamie Oliver (pictured) skyrocketed to fame when his show The Naked Chef premiered on BBC Two
During the early days of their relationship, Jamie and Jools had agreed he would spent five years on the London restaurant scene before returning to Essex to open a pub. Undated photo of the couple
One year after the show aired, Jamie and Jools tied the knot at their local church in Essex - with the chef later admitting he found the ceremony 'awkward and embarrassing'.
During his appearance on the Newlyweds podcast, he explained: 'The first time you get married, it's like, it just feels a bit awkward and embarrassing with all your family there. But if you ever get married again, if you get to 10 years or 20 years, the words are different. Because you've earned every single line and it was really, really emotional.'
After their wedding, Jools worked as Jamie's personal assistant - but stepped back from the role to focus on childcare.
Elsewhere in his Flow magazine interview, Jamie hinted that his wife never sought out fame - and would have 'liked a more modest life'.
Although The Naked Chef ended in 2001, Jamie then went on to present the shows Oliver's Twist and Jamie's Kitchen.
Meanwhile, Jamie's School Dinners - which was then picked up around the world - saw the chef travel around the UK trying to improve the quality of meals served to schoolchildren.
At the height of his fame in 2005, Jamie promised his wife he would step back from work for six months to spend more time with their growing family.
Jamie Oliver steps out of Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital with wife Jools and daughter Poppy Honey, after the birth of Daisy Boo in 2003
At the time, they had daughters Poppy Honey - who was born in March 2002 - and Daisy Boo, who followed in April 2003.
However, the father-of-two reportedly broke this promise when he embarked on a six-week tour of Italy for the Channel 4 show Jamie's Great Italian Escape.
During the show, viewers speculated Jamie and Jools' marriage was under strain - as the chef was filmed telling his wife to 'f**k off' when she called, The Metro reported at the time.
How Jools became Jamie's 'rock' - despite 'bickering all the time'
In the years that followed, Jamie admitted he regretted spending so much time away from his eldest daughters when they were younger - and how his wife has helped him find a balance between his demanding career and personal life.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2013, he said: 'I used to go away for four weeks at a time quite often when the girls were about two and three. I was growing a business. And I would think it didn’t matter and they were happy with Jools.
Pictured: Jools Oliver in 2000. At the time, the mother-of-five was working as Jamie Oliver's personal assistant
This morning, the celebrity chef, 49, shared a gushing tribute to his other half with his 10.5m followers - describing Jools as the 'most incredible wife, best friend and wonderful human' he has ever known on her 50t birthday
'But I realise now it did matter. I have a wonderful relationship with my older girls and I’m not worried about anything, but I think I’ll have to earn my stripes with them when they’re older.'
As a result, Jamie adjusted his schedule to get home from work at 6pm at least two evenings a week to put the children to bed. Jools has also ensured her husband takes weekends off and also has six weeks’ holiday per year.
In 2021, Jamie detailed how Jools has been a silent force who has allowed him to flourish in his career.
Speaking to the Australian magazine Women's Weekly, he explained: 'She's been a really solid and utterly important part of my life and my job's quite exciting.
'[My job] expects quite a lot, and she's my rock. She allows me to do my thing but then comes home and lets me be me... And I think she still quite likes me, which is really nice.'
Around this time, Jools said of their marriage: 'We bicker all the time. A lot of my friends can't believe how much. He drives me mad because he never listens to me and I drive him mad because I can be horribly selfish.'
Jamie Oliver, Jools Oliver and their family pose with their new baby at The Portland Street Hospital on August 8, 2016
Strict parenting revealed
In a 2010 interview with The Guardian, Jamie revealed his wife was a 'militant' follower of the controversial childcare guru Gina Ford, who is known for her divisive parenting style.
Gina, who advocates a rigid timed method of sleeping and feeding, became a household name after millions of copies of her books – including The Contented Little Baby Book - were sold in the 1990s and 2000s.
Although she didn't have children of her own, she used her 12 years of looking after 300 babies as a maternity nurse to develop her regime.
She tells parents their baby will sleep through the night if they keep to a strict routine from birth with feeds and naps at precise intervals.
Comparing the parenting approach to 'communism', Jamie said: 'What people don't understand is that sticking to Gina Ford is a job, it's not easy, it's not casual, it doesn't suit you.
Jamie Oliver poses proudly with wife Jools Oliver and their new daughter Petal Oliver on the steps of the Portland Hospital
'I see some of my friends who have a very casual approach – you must never judge but when their kids are going to bed at two in the morning, they look knackered. Gina's basically just a structured routine, and it's quite a lot to remember, but it does work.'
Jools accuses Jamie of cheating and 'monitors phone'
Although they have one of the most long-standing relationships in showbiz, Jools and Jamie's marriage has also faced some challenges.
In 2011, Jools admitted that she keeps her husband in check by monitoring his devices and social media accounts.
She told The Telegraph: 'I'll check his email. I'll check his Twitter.
Earlier this month, Jamie (pictured in 2019 with his wife) explained how Jools' father, who worked as a stockbroker, had a devastating stroke when she was nine, which 'really affected her childhood'
'I'll check his phone. Everything seems fine. He says I'm a jealous girl, but I think I'm fairly laidback, considering.'
Seven years later, Jamie revealed his wife had accused him of having an affair in an interview with Closer magazine.
He said: 'My missus accused me of having an affair once, because I kept disappearing and coming back with green on my knees. It was courgette season and I was in the vegetable patch!'
Miscarriage heartbreaks and getting involved in business again
She may have the family she always dreamt of now - but Jools' road to motherhood wasn't always smooth-sailing.
Pictured: Undated photo of Jamie and Jools Oliver with their son River, who celebrated his eighth birthday this year
Over the years, the mother suffered five miscarriages - including one in lockdown and another that could have cost her her life.
Appearing on the baby loss charity Saying Goodbye's Life & Soul podcast in 2021, Jools explained how she 'felt guilty' speaking about her miscarriages because she thought she was putting her loved ones 'through hell for her own selfish gain'.
She said: 'I stopped telling my friends, I didn’t even tell my mum as I was sure she was thinking, "You’re 40 something, you’ve got a wonderful family, you’ve got everything you’ve ever wanted, why are you pushing it?"'
Elsewhere in the podcast, Jools detailed how her second miscarriage, which made her home look like a 'murder scene', could have proven fatal and has left her with PTSD.
What's more, it seems like this struggle brought Jamie and Jools closer than ever - as the couple are now working together again.
Having previously worked as Jamie's personal assistant after their wedding, the celebrity chef's 'rock' is now employed by his company, which has had a major comeback.
Last year, Jamie and Jools reportedly paid themselves £6.8m - after sales in Jamie's cookery school increased by 35 per cent.
'Embarrassing' vow renewal
Jamie Oliver has admitted he was 'embarrassed' about renewing his wedding vows to wife of 24-years Jools, both, ahead of their lavish Maldives ceremony last year (pictured)
Earlier this year, Jamie, Jools and their five children - Poppy, 21, Daisy, 20, Petal, 14, Buddy, 12, and River, seven - flew out to the Maldives to renew their vows.
Despite his reservations Jamie said he ended up 'probably enjoying [the day] more than anyone' and they went on to exchange vows for second time earlier this year in Las Vegas to mark their 24th anniversary.
Speaking on the Newlyweds podcast he told hosts Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo: 'We were going to renew our vows at 20 years and then covid happened. So, it was at 23 years.
'The girls were leaving for university and stuff, so it did feel like the nest was starting to break up.
Jools arrived at the chapel wearing denim jeans, a white blouse and cowboy boots, while Jamie opted for a smarter ensemble and wore a tailored suit
In June they couple tied the knot once again in a casual ceremony, in front of a tribute to Jool's favourite hitmaker of all time, Elvis Presley in Vegas
'We'd never been on what you would call a posh holiday, so we went to the Maldives. I was a bit embarrassed about the whole thing, if I'm really honest, and I wasn't so into it until we got there, and then when we got there, I think I probably enjoyed it more than anyone. It was just so nice'.
Elsewhere in the podcast, Jamie admitted that he has felt 'lonely sometimes' in his marriage and added: 'There's sometimes, like a month and a half, were you don't quite like each other very much.'
However, he then went on to confess he'll get over that feeling and fall in love with his wife all over again.
In June they couple tied the knot once again in a casual ceremony, in front of a tribute to Jool's favourite hitmaker of all time, Elvis Presley in Vegas.
Last week, Jamie shared a touching moment with an Aboriginal activist after his second children's book, Billy and the Epic Escape, was pulled from Australian shelves.
The British chef made the decision following condemnation of its 'damaging and disrespectful' Indigenous plot.
Oliver sat down for an interview with 10 News First's Narelda Jacobs this week, during which he shared an embrace with Mundanara Bayles, the Managing Director and co-founder of the BlackCard.
The pair had shared a long video call the day prior, during which they talked over the issues raised by the First Nations community, with Bayles admitting tears were shed through the emotional chat.
