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Meet Tiger Lily, the Daughter of a Rock Star Who’s Found True Love and Normalcy

BBG News

It’s not surprising, given their creative natures, that when Tiger Lily Hutchense Geldof and her partner Ben Archer declared they were having a baby, they opted for a creatively stylish approach to the announcement.

28-year-old writer and director Ben shared an artistic ‘poster’ on Instagram featuring his partner, who was visibly pregnant, with the caption: “My love @heavenlytiger is putting on a performance.

She in turn responded with a hatching chicken emoji and the words ‘Wahooo love you’.

In simple terms, it’s clear that Tiger, who identifies as a musician and art psychotherapist residing in North London with her partner Ben, was not unexpectedly pregnant according to their close-knit group of relatives and friends, as the news broke in February.

For several months, they’d been keeping their joyful announcement secret – they finally exchanged vows last weekend in a small, cozy setting at an eatery in East London, choosing to get married early due to the upcoming arrival.

Instead, consider this rephrased version: Tiger Lily, aged 28, the sole offspring of the late INXS frontman and rock star Michael Hutchence and TV host Paula Yates, who was later adopted by Sir Bob Geldof, leader of The Boomtown Rats, and his French actress wife Jeanne Marine, has now established a peaceful life in a family setting that contrasts significantly with the turbulent party lifestyle of her famous parents.

Clearly of an affluent background, her new in-laws, Mark and Gillian, hold impressive credentials. Mark, her father-in-law, boasts a Cambridge education and is a successful investment banker. On the other hand, Gillian, her mother-in-law, shares the same financial stature, with a keen interest in renovation and interior design.

They possess a flat located centrally in London and a picturesque countryside manor in Herefordshire. People who are familiar with them describe them as remarkably intelligent yet relaxed individuals, with an affinity for the arts, especially cinema.

The tiger was very near to them, and together with Ben, they enjoyed part of last summer’s vacation with this couple in Italy. As it stands, they have developed a strong affection for their newly acquired daughter-in-law already.

Sir Bob enjoys a casual, friendly camaraderie with Ben, an alumnus of public schools, who shares Sir Bob’s love for punk music and has produced several popular short documentaries highlighting the punk culture. Recently, they were seen dining together at a restaurant in Chelsea with Tiger Lily and Sir Bob’s eldest daughter Fifi, 42. As they parted ways, there were warm embraces among the four friends.

The “ordinary” family relationships, as a friend puts it, stand in stark contrast to the tumultuous events that marked Tiger Lily’s formative years. Her deep-set, expressive brown eyes and curved, sometimes scowling smile bear an uncanny resemblance to her renowned father at times.

In July of 1996, she came into the world, born from the intense romantic relationship that existed between Paula Yates and the captivating Australian rock icon, Michael Hutchence, who was famed for his numerous relationships with alluring women.

At the outset of their relationship, Paula was married to Sir Bob and together they had three kids: Fifi (age 42), Pixie (age 34), and Peaches Geldof who tragically passed away at age 25 in 2014. The undeniable connection between them was apparent when the 34-year-old Paula, with her platinum hair, interviewed Michael for Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast in 1994, while they were lounging on a bed.

In just sixteen months after Tiger’s birth, her father tragically passed away, discovered deceased in a hotel room in Sydney. The verdict of his death was suicide, given by the coroner; however, Yates maintained that it was an accident during auto-erotic asphyxiation.

Stricken by the loss of my beloved partner, the sorrow lingered within me for less than three years before I too succumbed to the grip of heroin in my West London residence. On that fateful day, my four-year-old daughter, Tiger Lily, found herself alone and discovered my lifeless body after answering a call and sharing her distress about not being able to awaken me.

At such a tender age, enduring such a sequence of distressing incidents might have brought anyone to their knees, but Tiger Lily, as friends attest, has always managed to keep both feet solidly on the ground, even with her free-spirited personality often barefoot.

A significant portion of the praise is due to Sir Bob and Jeanne, as they adopted Tiger Lily upon hearing about Paula’s passing.

Instead of the original text: A contentious, widely known court struggle arose, as Kelland and Patricia, Tiger Lily’s paternal Australian grandparents, contested custody – even though Paula had clearly stated in her will that they were not permitted access to their granddaughter.

A heated legal dispute emerged regarding custody of Tiger Lily, with her Australian grandparents, Kelland and Patricia, attempting to gain custody – in spite of Paula’s will explicitly forbidding them from having any contact with their granddaughter.

Eventually, it was determined that the child left without parents would be brought up in the United Kingdom with her half-siblings. This decision caused a divide within the Hutchence family that remained unresolved.

Until her death in 2010 at the age of 84, Patricia consistently accused Sir Bob Geldof of making every effort to erase Michael Hutchence’s memory from his daughter. In an interview with an Australian magazine, she stated that she had begged and pleaded for the opportunity to see Tiger Lily once more. She said, “He has ignored me.” “He has treated me unfairly,” she added.

Regrettably, it appears that although Tiger Lily has occasionally interacted with Michael’s sister Tina, a writer currently residing in Los Angeles, and his half-brother Rhett, who dwells in Bali, their relationship is not particularly close. Neither of them were present at the recent wedding.

It turned out that there were complications regarding Michael Hutchence’s estate, which had been anticipated to be worth approximately £25 million. However, it was found to be closer to £12 million in actuality. Initially, there was confusion about the whereabouts of the money, with his executors initially suggesting that Hutchence was financially insolvent.

To put it simply, as reported by The Mail back in 2018, there was indeed money involved. On her 18th birthday in 2014, Tiger Lily received a substantial sum, which she wisely invested into an apartment in New York City. However, despite this wealth, Tiger Lily is reported to be indifferent towards riches and, at one point in her early twenties, opted to reside in a London squat. This may be due to a string of life experiences that have taught Tiger Lily that no amount of money can shield you from hardship. Indeed, the loss of both her biological parents at such a young age and her estrangement from her father’s family are just a few of the challenges Tiger Lily has had to endure.

Back in April 2014, mere weeks before I turned of age and found myself inheriting a portion of my late father’s estate, my half-sister Peaches – the one who most resembled our mother, both physically and spiritually – tragically passed away due to a drug overdose at only 25 years old. Friends close to her husband, Tom Cohen, described me as an extraordinary source of support during his challenging journey of raising their two young sons in the wake of Peaches’ untimely demise.

The two half-siblings were very close, still are, and the depth of Tiger Lily’s enduring sadness is evident in that it was primarily Peaches who served as inspiration for most songs on her debut album, entitled “Tragic Tiger’s Sad Meltdown,” which dropped in 2022.

In my professional opinion, although her life has been marked by significant adversity, she seems to have experienced a joyful childhood.

Sir Bob aimed to shield Tiger Lily from the perils of fame, and he cherished the peaceful family and domestic environment that he and Jeanne established. Tiger Lily maintains a particularly strong bond with Jeanne, and friends describe her admiration for Jeanne as idolization. One friend remarked that Bob strove to bestow an honor upon Jeanne by raising Tiger Lily as far removed from the corrupt spotlight as feasible, and he certainly achieved this goal.

During family vacations in Majorca, Bob was strict with Tiger. He set a 9 pm curfew for her and required her to bring her homework along. Moreover, he wouldn’t let her attend Glastonbury festival for many years. A relative of the family commented: ‘While her sisters were socializing during their teenage years, she was dedicated to her studies and found pleasure in secretly listening to Olly Murs.’

Following her education at a private school in London, she pursued acting and performance studies at a college in New York City. Additionally, she spent some time at Goldsmiths University, which is known for its artistic atmosphere, located in Southeast London. Afterward, she resided for a while in the well-known coastal city of Fremantle, Australia, which is on the opposite coast from her paternal grandparents’ home.

By that time, she was deeply involved in a romantic partnership with musician Nicholas Allbrook, who leads the Australian psychedelic rock band Pond. However, when this relationship concluded in 2022, she moved back to the UK. Since then, she has pursued her career as both a musician and an artist in the United Kingdom. Recently, she graced the opening of a showcase featuring her work at the Big Yin gallery, a distinctive, artist-led space that takes great pride in its black ownership, located in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex. This exhibition will run for a month.

Titled “I Want More,” the exhibition showcases artwork, photographs, and pottery crafted by Tiger, in collaboration with her friend Lily Gutierrez – a close confidante of Peaches. The collection is portrayed as an ‘exploration journey of self-realization, truth, autonomy, and defiance against societal norms that frequently constrain individuals’.

Also present was former public schoolboy Ben, who Tiger Lily met in 2023 through mutual friends.

Born the eldest among two siblings, Benedict Archer studied at Shrewsbury School, a renowned boarding school costing around £45,000 annually. However, similar to his future spouse, he found himself attracted to an artistic path. He pursued higher education at University of the Arts London and graduated with a first-class degree in film and television in 2018. Additionally, he began modeling after being represented by IMG, an international agency, at the age of 17. Currently, his profession is that of a film and documentary creator.

Growing up, I was fortunate enough to be nurtured by parents who, while boasting impressive professional backgrounds, were equally passionate about the arts. They had a deep appreciation for cinema, literature, and design, which undoubtedly inspired my own love for these fields.

Mark and Gillian share a common background in English Literature, with Mark earning his degree from Cambridge and a PhD in the field, and Gillian attending University College London. Both have since built thriving careers. Currently, Mark holds the position of head of global institutional business development at Metropolis Capital. In contrast, Gillian, who also pursued fashion design and became a textile conservator, has established herself as a well-regarded expert in interiors and renovations.

It can be said that her most significant undertaking is the restoration of her own home, Perrycroft. This Arts and Crafts masterpiece was constructed in 1895 for Liberal politician John William Wilson and purchased by the Archers in 1999. Situated on a hill with breathtaking vistas, it had been utilized by the Boys Brigade for three decades. However, Gillian undertook an intricate and sensitive renovation of both the house and its extensive gardens, which are now available to visit upon appointment. Additionally, they manage four vacation rentals on the property as well.

It’s important to note that while they may appear successful on the outside, this family has certainly faced their fair share of emotional highs and lows. Charley, who is 24 years old and Ben’s sibling, openly shares about her journey towards acceptance as a transgender woman.

Previously attending Balliol College, Oxford and serving as a representative within their LGBTQ+ Society, she has penned numerous pieces for campus publications, detailing her personal hardships.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: During my teenage years, I grappled with internalized transphobia that was deeply ingrained within me. Additionally, I encountered passive-aggressive transphobia from my parents, who, taking advantage of the long waits for medical treatment, attempted to hinder my social transition. This delay served as a protective barrier for them, giving them hope that I would outgrow this ‘phase’ and return to what they considered ‘normal’.

In the year 2021, she established a GoFundMe campaign with an objective of accumulating £27,000, expressing her urgency to conclude a transition that she had initiated when she was 17 years old.

Hello there! I’m Charley, proudly trans and eager to share my journey. For almost four years now, I’ve been navigating my transition with hormone therapy, a process that has been life-changing for me. As I reach a point of comfort and self-acceptance, I am now considering Gender Recognition Surgery as the final step in this transformative journey.

The NHS waiting list is overwhelmingly long, with no end in sight, leaving me considering private healthcare if feasible – however, it’s financially burdensome. I desperately need this surgery to achieve self-realization and become my authentic self. To help alleviate the costs, I have initiated a GoFundMe campaign. I appreciate any donation you can make and your time reading about my situation. Currently, the fund is at £2,999.

It’s unclear if the family ties have been completely reestablished in recent times, but it appears that Ben has accepted his sibling’s change and refers to her as his ‘sister’ on social media.

Additionally, he has established a connection with Tiger’s remaining siblings: Pixie, a model turned North London resident alongside her husband, drummer George Barnett, their three-year-old daughter; and Fifi, who is employed in PR and resides privately with her husband, sand sculptor Andrew Robertson. They tied the knot in 2016 at St Mary Magdalene and St Lawrence church in Davington, Kent, which is near Sir Bob’s countryside residence and the location where Peaches was memorialized.

In due course, it’s possible that the very same church could witness a christening for the latest addition to the Geldof-Archer lineage. This event might serve as an ideal milestone to inaugurate a fresh phase in a family that has experienced its share of upheavals.

  • Additional reporting: Simon Trump

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2025-04-19 03:35

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