Pia Whitesell reveals why she loves being a stepmother to Lauren Sanchez's children - and shares heartbreaking loss

Pia Whitesell has revealed why being a stepmother Lauren Sanchez's children is rewarding.

The Home and Away star's husband, Patrick, shares two children, son Evan, 19, and daughter Ella, 17, with the former TV presenter, who is now married to Amazon billionaire boss Jeff Bezos.

Pia, 42, also shares sons Isaiah, 22, and Lennox, 19, from two previous relationships.

'For me, it's honestly the best, most heartwarming thing to see the blending of four teenagers who were strangers just a few years ago,' she tells the latest issue of Marie Claire Australia.

'We sit around the table every night, enjoying each other's company, having a laugh as we share our stories. We spent Thanksgiving together; how lucky are we to have all found each other?'

Pia explained that building a blended family takes patience, empathy, and a willingness to truly listen. She noted that the teenagers came from different backgrounds and experiences, yet slowly learned to understand one another through shared routines and open conversations. Over time, those small daily moments helped turn unfamiliar faces into genuine family bonds.

Pia also admitted she leans on her family during times of hardship, such as when they lost a house last year during the California wildfires.

'We lost a house, we'd taken it down to the studs and I'd redone the whole thing. It was shocking, we were glued to the TV in our main house, watching the fire move down the coast in real time,' Pia admitted.

'It broke our hearts. Thank God I was surrounded by Patrick, friends and family. Every single thing burned, but we still had our main home; we were blessed compared to those who lost childhood homes.

'It was so surreal. A whole stretch of those character filled 1960s coastal shacks, just gone.'

She described the experience as a reminder that material things can be rebuilt, while strong relationships are what truly matter. The loss forced the family to lean into one another for comfort and reassurance, strengthening their sense of unity during an emotionally overwhelming time.

It comes five years after Pia relocated to Los Angeles with her children and married Hollywood power agent and multimillionaire Patrick.

Since then, the glamorous star has seamlessly blended into LA life.

Friends close to Pia say the move marked a new chapter for her both personally and professionally. While relocating with children came with challenges, she embraced the change with optimism and determination, focusing on creating stability and warmth in their new environment.

She accepted Patrick's proposal in late 2020 after he presented her with a spectacular diamond ring.

The solitaire oval diamond sparkler is estimated to be worth between AUD$1.10million and AUD$1.9million.

The engagement made headlines around the world, but Pia has always emphasized that the real value lay in their commitment rather than the ring itself. She has often spoken about the importance of shared values, trust, and mutual support in sustaining their relationship.

Last year, she gave fans a glimpse of her privileged life by showing off her astounding collection of designer goods inside her gigantic walk in closet.

Featured in the photo was Pia's impressive collection of shoes, which filled six built in shelves in her closet.

Measuring several metres wide, the unit boasted three shelves of high heels in a dazzling array of styles for all occasions.

Also spied inside Pia's walk in was the dark haired beauty's mammoth collection of designer handbags.

While the images captured attention online, Pia has maintained that fashion is a creative outlet rather than a symbol of status. She enjoys expressing herself through style, seeing it as a reflection of her personality and confidence rather than excess.

Patrick is the boss of Hollywood talent and media agency Endeavor, formerly known as WME.

His client list includes the likes of Jude Law, Denzel Washington, Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Jake Gyllenhaal, with whom he shares both professional and personal ties.

Despite their high profile careers and connections, Pia says family remains the center of her world. Whether navigating blended family dynamics or facing unexpected challenges, she believes love, gratitude, and togetherness are what truly define their success.

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Pia Whitesell, Patrick Whitesell, Blended Family, Celebrity Families, Hollywood Life, Step Parenting, Los Angeles Lifestyle, Celebrity News