Kelsey Parker has revealed that she takes it day by day “as it comes” as she opens up about the loss of her baby Phoenix for the first time.
The 34-year-old podcaster suffered a heart attack in June after her son Phoenix – her first child with boyfriend Will Lindsay – was “born asleep”.
Kelsey was previously married to desirable singer Tom Parker, who died in March 2022 at the age of 33 from glioblastoma.
In her first interview since the tragedy, Kelsey told The Mirror : “I don’t think I’ll live through the experience of first losing Tom and now losing Phoenix. But I think with any grief and loss, you have to take each day as it comes and work through it.”
Kelsey is a mother to Aurelia, six, and Bodhi, four, with her late husband Tom and revealed that she has discussed Phoenix’s death with them.
Kelsey Parker has opened up about her relationship with her late husband Tom’s parents – and their reaction to her pregnancy
The 34-year-old podcaster suffered a heart attack in June after her son Phoenix – her first child with boyfriend Will Lindsay – was ‘born sleeping’
“I talked about it the same way I did with Tom, I just told them the truth,” she said. “I think that’s all you can do with your kids, with everything you’re going through, be honest.”
Kelsey believes that because the children had outlived their father, it made it easier to accept Phoenix’s death.
“We’re almost like the Addams Family because we’ve gone through so much death and darkness. The kids are very informed,” she said.
Kelsey credited Tom’s parents Noreen and Nige for being there for her as she copes with the loss of Phoenix.
The influencer said she is still very close to Noreen and she gave Kelsey her blessing when she said she was pregnant with Phoenix.
Kelsey threw herself into a routine to cope with her grief and made sure she was always at the school gates to pick up Aurelia and Bodhi to show them “you have to be brave and show up”.
Kelsey confirmed the loss of her unborn third child, a son she had planned to name Phoenix, a week before his scheduled due date.
Clarifying the news in a poem, she announced the news on Instagram in June.
Kelsey was previously married to sought-after singer Tom Parker, who died in March 2022 at the age of 33 from glioblastoma (pictured with her children Aurelia, six, and Bodhi, four)
Kelsey said: “I don’t think I’ll ever go through the experience of first losing Tom and now losing Phoenix. You have to take it day by day and get through it.”
She filled in: “The world was silent when you arrived, so loved, so longed for, but not alive. Our precious boy, our angel of light, born with wings, took a silent flight.”
‘We named you Phoenix, brave and bright. A soul of love, warmth and light. Though we never heard you cry, you will live on in hearts that will not ask why.’
‘No breath you have drawn, no eyes to see, yet you mean everything to me. You will journey with us, tenderly close, in every sigh, in every tear.
Taking to her Instagram stories: She added: “Before I get an outpouring of lovely messages and heartfelt wishes, I just wanted to say that I truly appreciate everything you all are saying and sharing.
“But because the news is so raw, I would really like to make sure that we as a family are given the space and time to process this devastating and earth-shattering news.”
“I love you all and thank you for your understanding and space. Love always, Kelsey, Will, and the Parker family.”
Kelsey met the tree surgeon last year, when the couple announced their relationship in September.
On Sunday, Kelsey shared a video of herself on the beach during her trip, along with a heartbreaking letter to Phoenix.
The podcast host captioned it: “A letter to my angel. It’s hard to find the words.”
“There is no preparation for this kind of heartbreak. I had dreams of you, your first giggle, your first steps, the way you clung to me when the world felt too big.”
Kelsey paid tribute to her late baby in a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday after tragically losing her third child
On Sunday, Kelsey shared a video of herself on the beach during a family vacation alongside a heartbreaking letter to Phoenix
Kelsey Penned: ‘There’s no preparation for this kind of heartbreak. I had dreams of you, your first giggle, your first steps, the way you clung to me when the world felt too big’
Kelsey continued, “All those moments I imagined are now part of a different kind of story — one I never thought I would have to write to you about.
‘But it’s not just about the pain, it’s about the quiet but powerful love you brought into this world.
“For how you changed me – made me softer, more grounded, and somehow even more grateful.”
“Grief and gratitude can coexist. I grieve for what was lost, but I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to carry you for 9 months and love you unconditionally, I told you every day that I loved you.”
“You will always be mine. My son. My light. My why.”
“I share this not because I have the answers, but because silence can be lonely.”
“And if you are going through a similar type of grief, please know that you are not alone. There is a silent sister in this heartbeat, and I feel you deeply.”
For now, I’m learning to live with the pain, breathe through the waves, and find small pockets of peace in the middle of the storm.
“And I know that even though I can’t hold you in my arms, I will always carry you in my heart.”
If you have been affected by anything in this article, please contact the Lullaby Trust on 0808 8026868
