I was adopted by Prue Leith and instead of Bake Off showstoppers I ate fish fingers and beans and had a ‘ridiculously’ strict bedtime – but my ‘idyllic’ childhood saw me take in kids in need
As I delve into the captivating life story of Prue Leith, a remarkable woman whose journey spans continents and decades, I am struck by her resilience, adaptability, and unwavering spirit. Born under harrowing circumstances during the Cambodian genocide, Li-Leith was miraculously evacuated to safety as a six-month-old infant.
Li-Da Kruger, the daughter of renowned chef Prue Leith, recently disclosed intriguing perspectives about the seemingly idyllic upbringing they had together, as part of the Great British Bake Off family.
80-year-old television figure, along with his late spouse Rayne Kruger, adopted Li-Da when she was 16 months old from Cambodia. They brought her up in the Cotswolds together with their biological son Danny, now a Tory MP at 50 years old.
In a conversation directly with TopMob Li-Da, she shared fond memories of her childhood, which she described as incredibly delightful. She lived in a spacious household with caretakers and had access to everything she desired while growing up.
Although her mother was a renowned restaurant owner and author on cooking, Prue Leigh was known for preparing rather ordinary meals that likely wouldn’t earn a nod of approval from celebrity chef Paul Hollywood.
Li-Da mentioned: “Often, people inquire, ‘What was our meal?’. I can confirm, just as everyone else, we consumed fish fingers and baked beans, along with that unappealing frozen fish smothered in parsley sauce.
However, when it came to enforcing discipline, she acknowledged that her deceased father, a South African author who died in 2002 at age 80, was the more stern parent.
She chuckled, saying, “My dad was from the Edwardian era, born in 1922. So, looking back on my childhood, it was quite disciplined.
Mealtimes occurred at a fixed hour daily, our bedtime was uncommonly early, and there were mandatory naps in the afternoons. Now, she playfully refers to this as a “heavenly” routine.
‘We had rules my father was very regimented but that’s not a bad thing, punctuality is important’.
Li-Da further clarified that she was extremely guarded about her renowned mother, who experienced a sudden rise in fame when she joined The Great British Bake Off and took over from Dame Mary Berry in 2017, following 11 years of hosting BBC’s Great British Menu.
It’s disheartening that when you’re in the public spotlight, it feels more distressing to hear hundreds or even thousands of negative comments, rather than just one person being harsh.
She continued, expressing her feelings by saying, “That’s really distressing for me, and I wish to shield her from such situations.” Sometimes, she advises her mom to hold back on specific statements to prevent potential conflicts.
In 2016, Prue got married to John Playfair. The following year, she gained notoriety by tweeting a congratulations to the winner of Bake Off, Sophie Faldo, before the episode had even aired – an incident she later referred to as ‘the worst day of her life’.
Li-Da talked about her childhood spent amidst the verdant landscapes of the Cotswolds, being a Cambodian girl. She confessed that she used to believe she was Caucasian until she looked at herself in the mirror.
Instead of not having an issue with my original appearance, I craved what seemed common among others – blonde hair. One year, I remember asking Santa Claus for a blonde wig. My intention was simply to blend in, as I’ve always felt distinctly different compared to my family due to my unique looks.
In a casual, understandable manner: ‘If someone asks me where I originate, it won’t bother me. Depending on my feelings at the moment, I might respond “I’m from Oxford,” but then they might ask, “But where are you truly from?” and that’s often a common experience for adoptees.’
Li-Da said that she recommends adoption to anyone, even those who are able to conceive naturally.
After undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and adopting, what makes adoption remarkable is finding a child at the conclusion of the procedure.
She continued: ‘It might take a while, but at the end there is a child. When IVF is soul destroying in every single way, unless you get a child’.
LI-Da responded affirmatively, expressing that it holds great significance and is indeed a crucial aspect of one’s identity, by saying: “Absolutely, I believe it’s essential for this very reason.
‘There should be no secrets, theres a place for everyone’.
On the Katie Piper’s Extraordinary People podcast, Prue mentioned that she has always been very close to Li-Da. Interestingly enough, she feels closer to Li-Da than her own son, whom she deeply cherishes and loves equally. However, due to various reasons, she doesn’t get to spend as much time with her son.
Li-Da and I share a strong bond that has only grown stronger over time. Indeed, our relationship has become even more intimate, and she consistently ensures we keep in touch via FaceTime so that my grandson never loses sight of who ‘Nana’ is.
Li-Da had minimal knowledge regarding her birth family, as it was believed that her parents fell victim to the brutal massacres known as Cambodia’s killing fields during the rule of the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979, taking over a million lives.
The staff at the orphanage shared that her mother tragically passed away in a missile strike, and her father, being a soldier, went missing.
In April 1975, the brutal Khmer Rouge, who were responsible for the deaths of close to two million Cambodians at their infamous Killing Fields, advanced towards the capital city, Phnom Penh.
Three days prior to the city’s collapse, six-month-old Li-Da was transported overseas aboard a US helicopter, cradled in a bassinet under the helicopter pilot’s feet, during one of the final flights that were made.
In the 2020 Channel 4 documentary titled “Prue Leith: Journey with My Daughter,” Li-Da and her mother embarked on a journey to discover their birth family together.
As I recount the events of the movie, Prue shared that she nurtured her daughter in a distinctly British environment, seldom pondering over opportunities to foster a deeper connection with her Cambodian heritage, Li-Da.
Spectators commended Prue for her candor in acknowledging that she might not have effectively bridged Li-Da’s cultural heritage and herself, and they lauded the Great British Baking Show judge for her sincere affection.
In April 1975, the brutal Khmer Rouge regime, responsible for the deaths of almost two million Cambodians in the infamous Killing Fields, advanced towards the capital city, Phnom Penh.
Three days prior to the city’s collapse, a six-month-old baby named Li-Da was evacuated from the country on a US helicopter. The infant was carried below the pilot in a bassinet, during one of the final flights escaping the situation.
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2024-12-14 16:36