Heavenly Hiraani Tigerlily Hutchence was born to Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence on July 22, 1996, just two months after Paula’s divorce from Bob Geldof. At the time, Michael described his baby daughter as “just what we ordered”.
Paula chose the name ‘Tigerlily’, her daughter Pixie (from her marriage to Bob Geldof) picked the name ‘Heavenly’ and Michael chose ‘Hiraani’.
Tigerlily was just 16 months old when she attended her father’s funeral.
The funeral wreath on Michael’s coffin featured a single Tiger Lily in a bed of irises to honour Michael’s love for his daughter.
After Michael’s death, a grieving Paula suffered from depression and drug addiction and fought against members of Michael’s Australian family who were eager to take custody of Tigerlily.
In 2000 Paula was found dead in her London home from an accidental heroin overdose. She was 40 years old. Tigerlily was just four.
Soon after her mother’s death, Tigerlily was sent to live with her three half sisters and their father Bob Geldof.
Although her Australian relatives agreed to the arrangement, there have been reports of disagreements over visitation rights.
Michael’s mother claims to have seen Tiger only a handful of times since she was a baby.
Bob Geldof is now making plans to adopt Tigerlily and change her last name from Hutchence to Geldof — a move which has angered some members of Michael’s family.
Bob Geldof’s long-term partner Jeanne Marine acts as a mother-figure to Tigerlily.
Despite her tumultuous early years, Tiger has been described as “a happy and intelligent child who just idolises her older sisters”.
Tiger’s three older sisters also have unusual names — Fifi Trixaibelle, Peaches Honeyblossom and Little Pixie.
But Tigerlily might not be such a unique name after all — here’s Tiger with her friend Tiger Lily Taylor (daughter of Roger Taylor and Debbie Lang).
Tigerlily has a love of performing — her acting talents have earned her two scholarship offers.
In this week’s Woman’s Day, we speak to Michael’s brother Rhett about Tigerlily. Plus, Rhett reveals that Michael was cheating on Paula before he died. (Issue on-sale November 19).
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