There’s a very long list of reasons behind our obsession with the Wilkinson-FitzSimons family.
While we won’t list them all, highlights include Peter and Lisa’s honest approach to their 30-plus year marriage, how close the happy couple are with their three kids and their family dog Maggie who was paralysed from the waist down as a puppy.
Both Lisa and Peter have been wildly successful in their own rights, both with careers in television – Peter also appearing on radio and writing countless novels while Lisa is one of Australia’s most loved TV hosts on Today and then The Project.
If their successful careers weren’t enough, the couple have also raised three gorgeous children, Louis, Billi and Jake.
Regularly sharing glimpses into their family life, the family shows just how tight knit they are.
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Chatting to Now To Love in 2020, Lisa revealed the last of her kids “moved out of home two weeks before this [COVID-19 pandemic] all unfolded.”
“What’s been interesting for Pete and me is that because we’ve had such busy careers we’ve always said that we don’t get to see enough of each other because we’re so busy,” Lisa went on to say of isolation with her husband.
“We feel very fortunate to have jobs that we love. But, when you get thrown together pretty much 24/7 we discovered this is actually the first time since we were first married that it’s just been us, so almost 30 years.”
While Lisa and Pete had to adjust to life in isolation, it doesn’t look they’re struggling with their empty nest just yet.
“Of course we miss them but, you know, 20-somethings coming back home can be a bit annoying if they do it too much,” she said with a laugh.
They may be all grown up now, but we’re looking back at some of the family’s best snaps over the years.
Lisa Wilkinson
Lisa has countless reasons to dote over her daughter, and she took a moment to post this picture with a gushy message to show just how much she appreciates her as she follows in The Project host’s journalist footsteps.
“So very proud of my girl @billifitz … ,” she wrote. “for so very many reasons. 🥰👯♀️❤️.”
Touched by her sentiment, Jodie Speers commented, “Gah who could blame you Lisa.. what a treasure is @billifitz! 💎💓,” and Lisa graciously replied on Billi’s behalf, “Agreed. And she feels the same about you. X.”
Lisa Wilkinson
Lisa celebrated the new year with her family, and she marked the occasion by sharing this picture of the brood with their arms around each other.
She captioned the moment with a message of hope for 2022.
“Well, we all made it to the end of 2021!! So from my family to yours, we wish you and all your loved ones brighter, kinder days ahead, and the happiest and healthiest of New Years possible. ❤️❤️❤️❤️,” she wrote.
“(And yes, there is one son missing here, but he’s totally owning the barbecue tonight and those sausages just couldn’t wait!)
#happynewyear.”
Lisa Wilkinson
In the spirit of sentimentality, Lisa marked the 30th anniversary of her first date with Peter on her Instagram by posting this recent picture and sharing details from the important day.
“Thirty years ago today, this lovely, funny, talented, kind man arrived at my doorstep for afternoon tea…and, at my insistence, never left. (Even though, over the years, I’m sure I’ve given him plenty of reasons to!),” she began.
“Here’s to all the amazing memories @peter_fitzsimons, and those yet to be made…but, just quietly, where the heck did all those years go? Happy anniversary. ❤️❤️❤️💃🕺.”
Lisa Wilkinson
Lisa shared an intimate look inside her autobiography writing progress, which was more challenging than she expected, and without the help of her son Jake, it may have never been finished.
“Ever wondered what writing a book looks like? For me it was often like this: puffy, mascara-stained eyes after hours of tears & many months of a complete crisis of confidence, absolutely convinced I just wasn’t up to the task.
“It was being comforted by my son Jake (and superb editor) one night in early March as he patiently, lovingly assured his inconsolable mother that I COULD do this & should start submitting my finished chapters,” she wrote.
Writing is no easy feat, and at the time, she was deeply involved in bringing Britany Higgins’ story to air. She also shared the frustration she felt towards her husband, Peter, for his efficient writing skills.
“I was running months behind deadline, partly because I’ve never been a fast writer & partly because so much of the first few months of this year were devoted to getting the very important story of Brittany Higgins to air on @theprojecttv (and dealing with all that surrounded breaking the story, and the fallout, because right then nothing else mattered to me).
“It was going to bed at 3AM & waking at 6AM so I could just keep writing. It was lots of cold pizza & even colder coffee. It was texting friends to apologise for disappearing & hoping they understood. It was being “grumpy mum” 24/7 and apologising for that too.
“It was telling @peter_fitzsimons NOT to tell me about how he wrote his books so efficiently (have a look at the size of his Mawson biography in the pic…hey, no pressure!) because I couldn’t follow any of it, and besides would he please just go away?!!,” she hilariously explained.
Lisa Wilkinson
Lisa’s sons share the same birthday, but they aren’t twins. Louis and Jake are two years apart, but their unique bond is quite the conversation starter.
To ring in Louis’ 26th and Jake’s 28th, Lisa shared this cute throwback picture of her reading to them as babies.
She captioned the sweet moment, “Happy birthday to my two beautiful boys, Jake and Louis. Keep shining your warm, gentle lights….xxx.”
Lisa Wilkinson
To mark Billi’s 24th birthday, The Project host shared a throwback picture from a family trip to Paris before Covid.
In the shot, Lisa and Billi smile for a selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
“Me and my birthday gal…back when we could. And we will again!! Love you @billifitz – stay strong. ❤️❤️❤️❤️🎂,” the proud mum captioned her post.
Lisa Wilkinson
For Father’s Day 2020, Lisa captioned this picture, “For nearly 27 years now, our absolute rock.Twenty seven years of broken sleep, beautiful bear hugs, wise words of advice, terrible jokes, and more love than we could ever possibly know what to do with.🙏🥰.”
Lisa Wilkinson
Lisa also shared this hilariously cute throwback pic to celebrate Father’s Day 2020.
Lisa Wilkinson
The Wilkinson-FitzSimons family got The Simpsons treatment. Alongside the epic picture Lisa wrote, “Hah!! Growing up our kids were obsessed with @thesimpsons … and even now Jake and Louis can literally recite back whole episodes (I know, hey, great mothering Lisa!! But I can recite back whole episodes of the Brady Bunch so we’re probably even). Anyway, it looks like the transformation is now complete. 😂😂😂😂😂.”
Lisa Wilkinson
Lisa and Billi dressed up for a night out! Of course, they looked as radiant as ever.
Lisa Wilkinson
The Wilkinson-FitzSimons’ take the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Lisa Wilkinson
Lisa and her children recreated a vintage family photo from her archive. The esteemed journalist captioned the post, “When your kids try and recreate one of your favourite photos for Mother’s Day, 23 years after the original….and you realise just how bloody much they’ve grown. (Swipe right for the OG. Yikes!!)
“And still with us, Buddy. The doll my late mum bought for $2 from the local Vinnies when Jake was just two months old and passed down to all three kids….and now, sits on the old dresser in our kitchen watching over us every day – a sweet memory of mum, the only grandparent they ever knew, that never leaves us.”
Lisa Wilkinson
She also shared the original picture and we really are seeing double! Not only does this young Lisa look like her daughter Billi, she also resembles her own mum.
Lisa Wilkinson
Lisa shared this picture of three generations of Wilkinson women. She wrote, “Three women, three generations, three very different life experiences…and yet so many themes still the same.”
Lisa Wilkinson
Christmas with the Wilkinson-FitzSimons looks so wholesome!
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Let’s be real what’s Christmas without family? Lisa shared this happy snap of the whole family, including pup, Maggie.
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The kids are all grown up!
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Lisa shared this throwback snap of the whole family, and honestly, she’s barely aged a day.
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“Hold still daddy, I’m an artist!” Lisa wrote alongside this Father’s Day throwback photo of husband Peter and daughter Billi.
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Peter and Lisa celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by tying the knot, again! This time the whole family was in attendance.
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And, Louis walked Lisa down the aisle. CRYING.
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We can’t get over the resemblance between mother and daughter – particularly in this sweet photo from The Australian Women’s Weekly Women of the Future event.
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Jake wasn’t the only member of the family to get a graduation photo! Lisa received her Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Wollongong.
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How cute is this flashback of siblings Jake and Billi?
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The family that works out together, stays together!
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“My two favourite girls in the world… @billifitz and our beautiful disabled, mischievous heartbreaker, @maggie_boxerdog. Inseparable. Happy International Dog Day!” Lisa captioned this cute snap.
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Family vacation! Lisa and Billi enjoy a splash in the pool while visiting Waikiki, Hawaii, and it looks as though Peter has had his iconic bandana pinched.
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“#Flashback to 1998…and the full cup of motherhood crazy with three kids under 5. Still feels like yesterday. And without a doubt, still the best gig going,” Lisa captioned this retro pic.
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“Date night with my boys to see Conan O’Brien onstage in Sydney,” Lisa wrote while spending a night out with her two sons.
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Date nights aren’t just for the boys, Lisa and BIlli shared this pic while on a girls night together.
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Billi has grown up so quickly! Lisa posted this photo in commemoration of her daughter’s birthday.
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Why does it look like Jake and Lisa are up to mischief?
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“Bursting with pride today (and a little bit teary) as our eldest son became the first member on my side of the family to ever attend and graduate from university. The best Mother’s Day present ever…” Lisa wrote in celebration of Jake’s graduation.
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Lisa and Billi celebrated pink lipstick day in style.
