Helen Reddy: The Iconic Star And The Life She Shared With Her Family

Helen Reddy was more than just a global sensation for her empowering anthem “I Am Woman.” To her two children, Traci Donat and Jordan Sommers, she was simply “Mum.” And what a mom she was! Her life wasn’t just about the spotlight; it was also about the love she shared with her family.

A Mother’s Journey Begins

Long before Helen became an international star, she stepped into the role of a mother for the first time in 1963 when she welcomed her eldest daughter, Traci. This beautiful moment happened alongside her then-husband, Kenneth Weate, whom she married in 1961. Those early years were filled with joy, challenges, and the kind of love that only a growing family can experience.

A New Chapter in Love and Motherhood

Helen’s life took another turn in 1966 when she and Kenneth parted ways. But love found her again in the form of her second husband, Jeff Wald. They tied the knot the same year, and their union brought Helen her youngest child, Jordan, in 1972. While this marriage lasted for 18 years, it eventually came to an end in 1983. Helen didn’t let heartbreak stop her from finding happiness again. In 1983, she married her third and final husband, Milton Ruth, and together they shared nearly 12 years of marriage before parting ways in 1995.

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A Mom Who Balanced Stardom and Family

Even though Helen’s career skyrocketed after she signed her record deal in 1971 and released hits like “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” her children always came first. Traci once reflected on her mother’s dedication, saying, “She was always working when we were growing up, but she never let her career get in the way of being a mom.” Fans know Helen as a trailblazer, but to her kids, she was the backbone of their family.

A Legacy That Lives On

Tragically, Helen passed away at the age of 78 in late September 2020. Her children, Traci and Jordan, shared the heartbreaking news on her official Facebook page, writing, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Helen Reddy, on the afternoon of September 29, 2020, in Los Angeles.” They went on to say, “She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever.”

Helen’s legacy extended far beyond her music. In the years leading up to her passing, she embraced the role of grandma with the same love and passion she brought to everything else in her life. Her granddaughter, Lily Donat, spoke to Closer Weekly in early September about what it was like having Helen as a role model. “She’s incredibly loving,” Lily said. “She’s strong-willed, smart, she’s got a big personality and she just is who she is and she doesn’t apologize.”

Lily also shared the best advice Helen ever gave her: “Don’t give up, be stubborn if you need to, chase your passion, and allow your uniqueness to be powerful and beautiful. And always put family first.” Words like these remind us of Helen’s enduring impact, not just as a singer, but as a mother, grandmother, and role model.

Scroll through the gallery below to get to know Helen’s kids, Traci and Jordan, and the incredible family she built alongside her legendary career.