Kate Wright has given a candid interview to the Daily Mail's You Magazine, opening up about one childhood experience that has influenced her approach to stepmotherhood with partner Rio Ferdinand's three children. "I've had a few stepmums but they weren't in my life majorly," she told the publication. "When I was nine I wasn't even invited to my dad's wedding; I was very upset. My experience has helped define how I want to treat Rio's kids and how I want them to see me."
Rio and Kate have been dating for nearly two years
The former TOWIE star is now a devoted stepmother to Lorenz, 12, 10-year-old Tate and Tia, seven, after meeting Rio through mutual friends. She also explained how she was first introduced to the children, saying that it was a gradual process. "We've involved them in everything. First I visited with friends, then Rio said, 'I'd like to take Kate on a date, is that OK?'"
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She continued: "Whenever we did something together, like go to the pub and have a roast dinner, we'd come back and do something fun with the kids, so that every time I spent time with their dad they'd look forward to it."
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Since making their relationship public, Kate and Rio have delighted their fans with plenty of sweet Instagram photos and family updates. And earlier this year, 39-year-old Rio even paid an adorable public tribute to his girlfriend upon accepting a BAFTA TV award for his documentary, Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad.
"I didn't do this for any other reason other than my three kids… This documentary has propelled me forward into a period of happiness where my kids are happy I've got a beautiful girlfriend. Thank you, BBC, thank you very much," he said during his emotional acceptance speech. The sports star tragically lost his wife Rebecca in 2015 following a short battle with cancer - he and Kate will have been dating for two years in September.