A catastrophic, life-altering stroke ended Maria Venuti’s stellar showbiz career in 2016.
But nothing stopped the Fat Pizza star from fulfilling her decades-long dream of being a wedding singer at her daughter Bianca’s recent European nuptials.
“To witness Mum so defiant, to see the tears of joy in her eyes as she courageously sang The Look Of Love, and so beautifully, at our wedding was nothing short of a miracle and blessing. It was absolutely everything and then some,” says Bianca in an exclusive interview with Woman’s Day.
SHOWBIZ ROYALTY
“Mum had been preparing for this special moment for five years. Even when I was a little girl, she vowed to sing at my wedding. It was her ultimate dream, and it came true.
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“As Mum slowly walked me down the aisle, I felt so proud and had such admiration for her. There wasn’t a dry eye among our 76 guests.
“There was so much love, it was like a magical fairytale,” smiles Bianca, 44.
For over 50 years, Maria was deemed showbiz royalty – a wildly flamboyant singing sensation who’d enjoyed a glittering career on stage and screen.
But she was silenced and her career crushed by a devastating stroke at her Sydney home in 2016.
BATTLING FOR LIFE
“Mum spends most of her time in a wheelchair and can barely speak. But, incredibly, she can sing,” shares Bianca.
“Following her stroke, I made a pact with Mum as she lay in ICU battling for her life. I held her hand and made a heartfelt vow that if she were able to wake from her coma and know who I was, then I’d work to somehow make her a grandma – something she’d longed for. It was a huge stretch as I hadn’t yet me Mr Wonderful,” she laughs.
“Within a week of that pledge, Mum miraculously opened her eyes and so began her long road to recovery. In 2018, as fate would have it, into my life came someone very special – my now-husband Gary Freitas. We met online, and he was everything and more.
“Our daughter Allegra arrived in 2021. She’ll be three in September. I’ll never forget the look on Mum’s face when she first met our beautiful baby.”
Bianca and Gary were originally to wed in 2020, but COVID derailed those plans. The upside saw Maria with more time to work on her singing, regain her strength and undergo further rehab to assist with her mobility.
DREAM WEDDING
“We decided to wed on Madeira Island, Portugal, as an homage to Gary’s heritage. It was beautiful and so special to be with Gary’s family and friends, enjoying their love.”
Bianca says making her wedding happen came with its initial challenges.
“So many questions – will Mum be able to handle the flights to London and beyond? How will we go transporting her leopard-print wheelchair? At 83 and barely able to move, is she up for it? Mum rose to the occasion like the trouper and true star that she is.”
And Bianca says don’t be surprised if Maria suddenly finds love, too!
“As I threw the bouquet in the direction of the single ladies – as is tradition – to everyone’s surprise, Mum caught it!
“It was hilarious. Never say never, I say! So who knows? Maybe love might be around the corner for Mum, too!”
