Kate Beckinsale s Ups and Downs Over the Years
Kate Beckinsale. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Netflix
Kate Beckinsale has experienced both triumphs and challenges in her life.
At the age of 5, Beckinsale faced the loss of her father, Richard Beckinsale. Four years later, her mother, Judy Loe, found love again with director Roy Battersby, who then became Kate's stepfather in 1997.
After dealing with the loss of her actor father, Kate decided to follow in his footsteps. She started her acting career in the British miniseries Devices and Desires, later landing more TV appearances and a role in the 1991 film One Against the Wind. However, her big break came in 1993 with the adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing.
Having found success in the U.K., Kate wanted to explore more opportunities in the United States. In 1998, she made the move across the Atlantic and landed her first American role in the movie The Last Days of Disco.
Kate not only achieved success in the U.S., but also had notable relationships with Michael Sheen, Len Wiseman, Pete Davidson, and others.
Continue scrolling to learn about Kate's journey through the years, including both her successes and challenges.
Kate Beckinsale s Ups and Downs Over the Years
Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen. Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
2000
Kate welcomed her first child, daughter Lily Mo, with Sheen whom she dated from 1995 to 2003.
2003
After working together on the movie Underworld, Sheen and Kate ended their relationship once filming was completed. Kate shared in an interview with IGN that she had helped her boyfriend secure a role in the film.
While filming, Kate developed a close relationship with Wiseman, who was directing the action movie. Their bond grew stronger, leading to their marriage the following year.
In July 2003, Kate took legal action against The Daily Mail for publishing photos of her and Wiseman kissing. The actress accused the tabloid of invading her daughter's privacy by including a picture of Lily with the headline: "Mummy's latest love scene leaves Lily unimpressed."
The Commission stated that the article did not disclose any personal information about Lily and the photos only showed general observations. The next month, The Daily Mail apologized to Kate.
Kate Beckinsale s Ups and Downs Over the Years
Len Wiseman and Kate Beckinsale. Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage
2015
Wiseman and Kate separated after 11 years of marriage. The following year, Wiseman filed for divorce against Kate, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split.
2019
While going through her divorce, Kate started seeing Davidson in February. They were seen showing affection on several dates. Kate and the SNL comedian broke up in May after dating for almost four months.
In November 2019, Us confirmed that Kate and Wiseman finalized their divorce, four years after the director first filed.
2020
Following her romance with Davidson, Kate clapped back at trolls who criticized her for dating younger men.
In an interview with Women's Health published in May, she expressed her observation of men freely making decisions in relationships, buying a motorbike, or getting tattoos without facing judgment. It's not questioned why they haven't had more children, when they will become parents, or why they have had multiple girlfriends.
Later that year, Kate shared her own experience of pregnancy loss while speaking out in support of Chrissy Teigen, who had recently lost her son Jack at 20 weeks into her pregnancy.
Chrissy Teigen Faces Criticism
In October, Chrissy Teigen took to Instagram to address the criticism she has been receiving. She expressed her frustration with people who judge her actions during difficult times, such as the loss of her baby at 20 weeks. Teigen highlighted the pressure to follow a certain protocol during times of grief, even from those who do not know her personally.
Personal Experience with Grief
Teigen shared her personal experience of losing a baby and the challenges that come with it. She revealed that she had kept her pregnancy quiet, so when she experienced the loss, it was a private struggle. Teigen explained the feelings of grief, shame, and shock that often accompany such a heartbreaking experience. She also touched upon the difficulty of coping with the physical changes in her body post-loss.
Kate shared in July that she had been apart from her daughter for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She mentioned during an interview on Live with Kelly and Ryan that she had to work in Canada and her daughter was unable to visit her. Kate expressed that not seeing her child for two years was unimaginable to her.
Weeks later, the mother-daughter duo met again at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.
Two months after that, Kate was admitted to a hospital in Las Vegas due to back pain. In September, she posted a selfie from her hospital bed on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the kind messages and love she received.
Kate Beckinsale s Ups and Downs Over the Years
Kate Beckinsale. Courtesy of Kate Beckinsale/Instagram
2024
Kate revealed that her stepfather had died in January at age 87 and shared his obituary on her Instagram Story.
The family of Roy Battersby, a renowned film and television director, sadly announces his passing after a short illness. He peacefully passed away on January 10, 2024, in Los Angeles at the age of 87, surrounded by loved ones. Details about his funeral in London will be shared soon.
After Battersby's death, Kate expressed disappointment in the BAFTAs for not including her stepfather in their In Memoriam segment.
"Today, I received a message from BAFTA stating that they could not guarantee his inclusion in their 'in memoriam' tribute to honor industry members we have lost," she shared on Instagram. "It seems absurd that a man who passed away less than a week ago would have to audition in front of a committee, despite his decades-long career and the highest accolades he received from the organization, just to determine if his death is worth mentioning."
Later on, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced their plans to honor Battersby in a future ceremony.
"We were saddened to hear about the recent passing of Roy Battersby, a respected and innovative director," said a spokesperson from BAFTA. "In 1996, he received the Alan Clarke Award, a BAFTA Special Television Award. We will be paying tribute to him at the upcoming BAFTA Television Awards in May, as well as on our website's In Memoriam section."
In March, Kate posted a series of pictures of herself in a hospital bed for reasons that were not disclosed.
Editor's P/S:
Kate Beckinsale's life journey is a testament to both resilience and vulnerability. Despite experiencing the loss of her father at a young age, she pursued her acting dreams with determination. Her remarkable career has been marked by successes in both the UK and the US, and she has navigated personal challenges with grace and strength.
Beckinsale's candidness about her experiences with grief, relationship dynamics, and the pressures of being a woman in the public eye is both relatable and empowering. Her willingness to speak out about issues such as pregnancy loss and ageism has sparked conversations and challenged societal norms. Through her journey, Beckinsale has emerged as a role model for women who navigate the complexities of life with courage and authenticity. breaking down stigmas and offering support to others who have faced similar challenges. Her willingness to share her own experiences and support others shows her strength of character and her commitment to empathy and compassion.