There’s no stopping Tessa Sanderson CBE, from winning Olympic gold to adopting twins at 58. She tells us how her career prepared her for the early starts as a mum
WORDS: RHONA MERCER PHOTOS: ESTÉE LAUDER & GREY MODEL AGENCY, GETTY, REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
MOTHER LOVE
When we begin our phone chat with Olympic gold medallist Tessa Sanderson CBE, the former athlete has just discovered that her daughter Ruby Mae, 11, has forgotten her packed lunch and tells us that as soon as our interview is over, she’ll be rushing to the school to deliver her tuna sandwiches.
Tessa and her husband Densign White adopted Ruby Mae and her twin brother Cassius after fostering them when they were three months old. She is clearly devoted to her children and our conversation is peppered with anecdotes about their happy – and busy – family life together.
Tessa, who turns 68 this month, became the first Black British woman to strike gold at the Olympics when she won the javelin competition in Los Angeles 40 years ago.
Today she is talking about how important it is for women to take some time for themselves as part of a campaign she is working on with Estée Lauder called Because Of My Age. But we’re also keen to ask her about what it was like to become a mum at 58 and the important work she does around Black History Month.
To say that Tessa, who was awarded a CBE in 2004, is inspiring would be an understatement. Here, she tells us all about preparing for motherhood when she was in her fifties and why she thinks it should be Black History Month every month…
Hi, Tessa. You adopted after three unsuccessful rounds of IVF. How has motherhood changed you?
I couldn’t have children, so I decided I wanted to adopt.
My husband was all for it too. It was a really, really happy moment [getting the twins]. The kids are great – they’re 11 now. My son is into football and my little girl is into dancing and cooking. It’s a fabulous thing to see them grow up. Because my husband and I had done so much sport [Densign is a former judo Olympian], it was a little easier for us to get up early in the morning when they were young.
Was it a challenge having kids in your fifties?
I knew my mindset was very energetic and I love challenges, so the decision wasn’t really hard to make. It was just understanding what I had to do and knowing at that age I’d have to tweak things a little bit.
You’re both from very sporty backgrounds. Do you feel strongly about your kids being activ
