When Natalie Barr was six months pregnant, the unthinkable happened. Her father died, aged 61, from ventricular heart failure.
The Sunrise co-host has now given a rare glimpse into the tough time, admitting that the topic doesn’t come up often publicly because she “gets too upset”.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Natalie Barr talks hosting Sunrise.
Stream the world’s best reality, entertainment and true crime shows for free on 7Bravo on 7plus >>
In a new interview with Mia Freedman on the No Filter podcast, Nat gave an insight into how some of the sensitive stories raised on Sunrise break through her tough journalist exterior and “just hit you”.
Nat shared her triggers, explaining that she was “very close” to her dad and revealing how memories “strike” her, particularly if stories involve “Father’s Day, a dad or anything to do with heart attacks”.
Natalie Barr in July 2023. Credit: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images for TV WEEK Logie A
Using her platform, Nat has tried to campaign about heart health – however, she admitted, “that hasn’t worked because I get too upset talking about it.”
Surprise detail in Nat Barr and Shirvo post sparks cheeky reaction from ex co-star Kochie
Nat Barr’s unexpected Home and Away ‘audition’ at Logies stuns
In the podcast interview, Nat also recalled a difficult time she faced three months after her father’s death – when she welcomed her first son, Lachlan, with husband Andrew Thompson.
Sunrise star Natalie Barr on her wedding day with her proud father Jim. Credit: Instagram / Natalie_barr7
“When I look back there wasn’t a lot of help,” Nat explained.
“I had a non-sleeping 18-month-old baby and by the time we’d got to 18 months, I just thought I was a total failure of a mum, like I know a lot of mums do.”
Nat said that she had tried to enlist the help of Tresillian – the early parenting service, which offers day stays to help with problems like constant crying.
Natalie Barr has been thriving in the role of Sunrise co-host. Credit: Sunrise
But the techniques she tried were unsuccessful, leading to Nat feeling “even more depressed”.
Her luck changed when someone gave her the phone number of a “baby whisperer” who came to her family home and spent four nights helping settle baby Lachlan.
“I can remember her walking in and she was sitting down and saying ‘I’m going to solve your problem’,” Nat recalled.
“And I just burst into tears and said, ‘I’m going to be the only one you’re not going to solve’.
“I was crying… and so distraught.”
Natalie Barr and Andrew Thompson in 2021. Credit: Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for Hamilton Austra
Nat said that lots of mothers would understand the “helpless feeling” she experienced, wondering, “What have I done wrong?”
“My dad had just died – I was six months pregnant when my dad had died – so it made me think, ‘Is that why?’” she said.
“Am I still mourning? Does the baby somehow know that I’m upset and I’m grieving? Is that why (he can’t sleep)?”
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings.
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
“You just feel like a useless mum,” she explained.
It’s not the first time Nat has given a glimpse into how deeply her father’s death impacted her.
In an interview with Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur on The Morning Show in September 2021, Nat became tearful as she shared a message about heart disease for the Heart Foundation.
“I thought I could do this, I’m sorry,” a tearful Nat began.
“I’m sorry and I know you’ve just been through this Kylie like so many Australians, I’m sorry”.
Nat continued to share her story and its impact on her family.
Sunrise co-hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington. Credit: Seven
“So many Australians have this, it’s Australia’s biggest killer, 50 people are dying a day of heart disease. I don’t think we’re giving this the attention it deserves.
“Our family went through this 20 years ago, and like many, many, many Australian families it destroys your family and you never forget it and you never really get over it.
“So that’s why I’m supporting this cause because it’s just the hardest thing you ever have to go through”.
For more engaging entertainment content, visit 7Life on Facebook.
Kylie Gillies cried on air over surprise family news. Now she’s shared more
Sunrise host Nat Barr takes on Sam Mac over on-air Shirvo roast
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings.
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.