Home Page 5408

Jen’s miscarriage heartache

Old wounds are reopened as Jen Aniston confronts the memory of the two babies she lost with Brad Pitt.

The tragic truth behind Jennifer Aniston’s split from ex-husband Brad Pitt has finally been revealed: she suffered two traumatic miscarriages during their marriage, and the emotional turmoil that followed tore the couple apart.

Celebrity biographer Ian Halperin has confirmed in his book, Brangelina Exposed, that Jen lost two babies, one in 2003, and the other in 2004, just months before the couple officially split.

The last poignant photographs of Brad and Jen – taken in January 2005 – show them walking arm in arm on a Caribbean beach, sadness etched on their faces. Just days later, they shocked the world by announcing they were separating.

At the time it was presumed they were simply mourning the end of their relationship, but Halperin’s shock revelations have cast a new light on the couple’s final months together.

“If a marriage is in trouble, a miscarriage can be the nail in the coffin,” says psychologist Sarah Calleja. “If a marriage is strong, it can help bond the couple over their shared grief.”

However, it seems their grief drove Brad into the arms of Angelina Jolie (above right), his co-star in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Angelina has since admitted she and Brad fell in love while filming the movie. Jennifer, on the other hand, has always kept a stoic silence on the trauma she went through as Brad and Angelina went public with their relationship, resisting the temptation to dismiss stories that she was career-obsessed and did not want to have a family.

Halperin’s book even claims the rumours about Jen were spread by Angelina to deflect criticism of her for stealing Brad.

“I’ve always wanted to have children,” Jen simply said after the split, as gossip swirled that she had refused him children in favour of movie roles. “I would never give up that experience for a career.”

Even Brad felt compelled to step forward and defend Jen, telling GQ magazine that any suggestion the relationship had ended over her refusal to have a baby was “bulls**t”.

Related stories


Home Page 5408

The Scud and Jen Happily ever after…for now!

Aussie tennis star and serial womaniser Mark Philippoussis insists he’s finally been tamed – by American actress Jennifer Esposito – with plans for a wedding mid next year.

And despite him infamously turning down the “cougar” in favour of the “kitten” on TV show Age of Love, as well as most of his exes being little beyond school age, Mark’s new fiancée is four years older than him.

Linked to a string of famous beauties, including Delta Goodrem and Paris Hilton, Scud now only has eyes for one woman, as our world exclusive first photos of the couple show. Snapped at an exclusive art exhibition in New York City, Mark,33, couldn’t resist the temptation to plant an impromptu kiss on his 37-year-old fiancée, to whom he proposed in October after a courtship of three months. “Mark is over the moon with excitement,” reveals a close friend of the couple.

“This was the first public outing Mark and Jennifer had made, and the 300 guests who attended the event were left in no doubt as to how much in love they are.”

Plans for the wedding are already taking shape, with the couple set to tie the knot next year in the northern summer.

The ceremony is likely to take place in the Hamptons, the playground of Manhattan’s rich and famous, where their love blossomed.

“They met in the Hamptons,” explains the friend. “But up until recently, Jennifer had been filming a telemovie in Los Angeles and Mark took that opportunity to continue his training for his planned tennis comeback.

Related stories


Home Page 5408

Susan Boyle: My dream year!

Since her stunning appearance on UK TV show Britain’s Got Talent in April, Susan Boyle has risen from obscurity to become one of the most famous women on the planet.

In a week that has seen her topping CD charts around the world with huge sales from her debut album I Dreamed A Dream, the fragile 48-year-old singer – who lives alone with her cat Pebbles and suffers from a learning disability after being deprived of oxygen during birth – has been subject to new concerns about her wellbeing.

Amid reports of bizarre behaviour, including claims she last week returned to her Scottish village with an American accent – we reveal, in her own words, Susan’s side of the story.

January 21, 2009: BGT Audition – I will never forget that day. A lot of people dream about being on television, about making records, about entertaining people. You chance your arm and see how far you can get.

But to be honest I never thought for a minute that I would get this far. The audition was at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow. I could see the place but I kept on taking the wrong bus. I must have changed buses about six times to get to the damn place.

I got there hours early and sat in the holding room watching everybody do their audition one by one. Everybody kept saying to me, “Are you sure you should be at this audition?”. I saw dance groups come and go, men with spoons, dogs. Eventually it was my turn, I got three yeses.

April 11, 2009: My big TV debut – The day my audition was aired on TV and the day my life changed forever. I was sitting at home watching the show alone.

I came onto the telly and I heard lots of shouting outside my window. When I opened the front door my neighbours were outside my house jumping for joy. We ended up having a bit of a street party. It was special.

May 2009: Becoming a star – The hype that went on I didn’t really get – strangers writing to me every day, everyone was really nice to me.

Blackburn became kind of manic. In some ways it was funny. The neighbourhood turned out to be a very good community. People I’d never spoken to in my life before would offer to do my shopping for me.

Related stories


Home Page 5408

Lisa and Grant’s split gets nasty

The former sporting champs are battling over who gets the kids for Christmas.

Still reeling from her marriage breakdown, Lisa Curry is facing even more stress with the approach of Christmas. Like many other single parents around Australia, the former swimming star is nervously preparing to negotiate the pitfalls of the festive season.

Just who gets the children on Christmas morning is a familiar tussle for many split families and, despite their celebrity, it will be the same this year for Lisa and her estranged husband Grant, who have three children together from their 23-year union.

Friends say Lisa, 47 – who has been seen shopping for gifts along Mooloolaba’s string of beachside boutiques – fears she will find herself alone on Christmas Day, thanks to a feud with the Kenny family.

Since her split with Grant in May, Lisa has found herself increasingly isolated from her in-laws, Hayden and Fae Kenny. Sources close to the family say that although Grant’s parents were once supportive of their daughter-in-law and tried to remain neutral in the wake of the shock split, they disapproved of her romance with “love-rat” businessman Adrian Hunter.

“It was the the public displays of affection on Mooloolaba Beach that finally chilled the relationship,” says a local. “The Kennys thought it was so tacky, and were worried about the repercussions for their son and their grandchildren, as well as themselves.

Lisa might be a famous name in Australia, but her father-in-law, Hayden, is Sunshine Coast royalty, and has a reputation to uphold. He and his wife were furious to be embarrassed like that.”

The simmering tensions came to a head several weeks ago at a surf club gathering, with Lisa leaving abruptly, visibly upset at a less than effusive greeting from her father-in-law.

Related stories


Home Page 5408

Trishna and Krishna: Back to the orphanage

Newly separated conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna have captured the hearts of Australians with their cheeky smiles and fighting spirit as they recover from their landmark surgery – but their biggest fight is still to come.

Without the legal documentation to stay in Australia, the girls’ ultimate fate remains uncertain and, with the birth parents signing away all rights, the twins could find themselves back in the orphanage from which they were rescued.

Brought to this country by Moira Kelly, Executive Director of the Children’s First Foundation (CFF), which provides a safe haven for children of all races, the twins’ official guardian is still the Missionaries of Charity Orphanage in Bangladesh.

After surviving a 32-hour operation at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, in which their fused heads were separated, the twins amazed medical experts with the speed of their recuperation, watching Wiggles videos and chatting just days after they regained consciousness.

The brave girls will celebrate both their third birthday, on December 22, and Christmas in hospital, but they can only remain in the country while their health care continues, as they were brought to Australia on Medical Treatment Visas.

In preparation for their return home, the twins are being tutored in their national language and culture by a Bangladeshi nanny – even though their birth mother wants them to remain in Australia.

Although desperate to be reunited with her children, Lovely Golder wants them to stay in a country she knows will provide them with a better future – and hopes the woman she calls “a god” is able to keep them.

Related stories


Home Page 5408

Royal obsessed!

Meet the couple who have a real obsession with the Royal family! Take a look at their collection of royal related memorabilia and their royal-themed house!

Janet Williams’ life sized Queen and Prince Charles dolls take pride of place at her dining room table.

Janet hosts a royal high tea with her own royal guests!

Janet snuggles up to her favourite royal.

Janet’s passion for collecting royal memorabilia began back in 1954 when she saw the Queen in person when she visited Janet’s hometown, Bulli.

Janet and her husband Phillip (yes he has the same name as the Queen’s spouse) stand proudly outside their home.

Janet and Phillip snuggle up to Prince Charles and Camilla.

Janet’s toilet is called the Throne Room, and it literally is, with a velvet trimmed throne now encasing the loo, and a sign reminding you to Royal Flush!

In Janet’s bizarre world, Charles, Diana and Camilla are all living under the one roof!

This is just the start of Janet’s extensive royal china collection!

It’s hard to miss Janet and Phillip’s house in their street!

Related stories


Home Page 5408

Pets at Christmas

Your comment: A picture taken by my husband of our boy getting into the Christmas spirit! 😀

— Anna

I took my 2 maltese x silkie dogs Buffy and Gus to have their photo’s with santa at R.S.P.C.A. store – Springwood, Brisbane.

— Phyllis

My dog Bobby is my favourite pet i’ve ever had, he loves to play soccer and is a great companion for the family. He is just as excited for Christmas as we are – as you can see in the photo!

— Fatima

Miss Lily thought she would be the first to see santa.

— Deb

This is Gabby with Santa Claus.

— Sandy

Send this photo as an e-card

My girls with a friend at Xmas. Tiffani my lovely poodle, 13 years, with Amber the min pin, 8 years (and full of mischief), and TBone the Great Dane, also 13years.

— Krysanne

My friend’s dog Zac at Xmas time.

— Donna

This is Coco, bought from the animal welfare league. Her first day in her new home just proved too much for her.

— Renee

My little Bella can’t wait for Christmas!

— Rebecca

My beautiful babies Billy and C.J.

— Clancy

Rocco is a Bullmastiff and Ralph is our little Mini Dachshund. They are best friends.

— Serena

This is the best Christmas tree decoration we have ever had!

— Anita

Wombat, the ‘red-faced’ reindeer!

— Claire

This is Cody Jones Demmler, my pomeranian pup, sleeping with his toy reindeer.

— Merryn

Kia, our chocolate Burmese, hates getting dressed up for his Christmas picture, can’t you tell?

— Lynne

Send this photo as an e-card

George, our 3-year-old dog, with father Xmas.

— Louise

Sophie, our 5-year-old border collie x, getting into the Christmas spirit.

— Mel

Here is Bob and Tippy ready for the Christmas Party.

— Kerry

This is my 4-year-old cat Beamy in his Christmas spirit.

— Kat

Halle loves her Christmas outfit!

— Alana

Send this photo as an e-card ———————————————————————- Do you have any cute Christmas photos of your pets? If you do then send them in and we’ll add them to this gallery for everyone to enjoy!

Submit photos of your own adorable pets here!

Related stories


Home Page 5408

George Clooney’s double date

Getty

Notorious bachelor George Clooney has shown two sure signs that he is serious about his current squeeze, model and actress Elisabetta Canalis.

Not only did he take her to the Los Angeles premiere of his new film Up in the Air, the 48-year-old also introduced her to his mother, Nina Warren, who accompanied them on the red carpet, the UK’s Daily Mail reported.

Looking as handsome as ever and dressed in a black suit, Clooney showed off his dates to screaming fans and waiting photographers.

Elisabetta and former beauty queen Nina left the Hollywood glamour behind, both opting for simple black outfits.

Elisabetta, who is extremely popular in Italy and is the current co-host of the Italian version of MTV’s Total Request Live, met the Ocean’s Thirteen actor in Rome in July this year.

Other stars to walk the red carpet at the premiere included George’s Up in the Air co-stars Melanie Lynskey and Vera Farmiga and Cindy Crawford, who walked the carpet with husband Rande Gerber.

Related stories


Home Page 5408

Guess the celebrity beach body!

Which celebrity spends a little too much time in the sun or has an endless supply of fake tan?

Which celebrity has a body this toned, she can get away with this tiny bikini?

This celebrity obviously works out, but who owns this extremely fit body?

Which celebrity looks this good at the beach, even when she is half covered up?

Which super model is having a little trouble getting back on board her boat?

Which singer owns this pretty pink bikini?

Which yummy mummy does this toned body belong to?

Which model, who is looking a little burnt across her shoulders, enjoys taking a walk along the pier?

Which celebrities seems to be enjoying some sea-side loving?

Which celebrity enjoys chilling out pool side?

Which singer takes time out to sun bake on her boat?

Which celebrity couple owns these two hot bodies?

Which tattooed celebrity took time out to relax at the beach recently?

Which superfit celebrity dad took to the beach with his kids?

Which funny man took a dip in Hawaii recently?

Related stories


Home Page 5408

How to make a capital guarantee product 101

What is a capital guarantee product? And other things you need to know.
cash in padlock, Getty Images

TO answer the first question, a capital guarantee product, put simply, is an investment where you are promised that you will not lose the money you put into that product.

Let’s take the example of property. There are those who believe property will always go up, and there are others who are worried that with all the ups and downs maybe their investment property might be down when they go to sell it and they will lose money.

So property investors might want to know that their property is capital guaranteed for a specific time period, 10 years for example.

The usual way this is currently done is instead of buying property directly, an investor buys into a property trust that is capital guaranteed. The guarantee costs roughly 3 percent of the investment and the investor has no control over the property trust.

Given the perceived complexity of this type of investment, I asked private wealth manger David Darmali, financial planner from Invest Partner how he constructs a capital guarantee and he provided an example of how he might do this for his clients.

“Say for example* they had $1 million. They spend $600,000 on a bank bond that guarantees to pay them $1 million in 10 years time. With the other $400,000, they put down a deposit on a commercial property that has an 8 percent return,” Darmali said.

“The commercial interest rate is currently around 7 per cent and the commercial property value grows by 2 to 3 per cent per year, in line with rental increases with inflation (as commercial properties are valued according to the rent and rental contracts are usually indexed to CPI),” he said.

“Over 10 years, that would be at least a 10 per cent increase in capital gain and assuming the tenant is secure, with a positive cash flow from day one. Their capital is also guaranteed by the bank bond.”

*These figures are for educational purposes only, not current actual figures.

By Virginia Graham from www.modelmortgages.com.au

Your say: What do you think? Is it worth doing a capital guarantee? Email us on [email protected]

Related stories