Jade Goody left a heart-wrenching final message to her sons, Bobby and Freddy, before her tragic death from cervical cancer
Jade Goody’s life was marked by both fame and tragedy, she was best known for her appearance on Big Brother back in 2002 as a loud and proud Londoner.
Jade entered the house as a largely unknown dental nurse, leaving nine weeks later with nationwide recognition. However, her later years were fraught with personal and public struggles, culminating in her death from cervical cancer at just 27.
Before Jade’s passing on March 22, 2009, she left behind a heart-wrenching gift for her sons, Bobby and Freddy Brazier. At the time, they were just four and five, and they would have no memory of their mother.
To ensure they knew the love she had for them, Jade created a photo album and attached a final message to her sons, which has become one of her most poignant legacies, the Daily Mail reports.
READ MORE: Oodie Mother’s Day sale knocks 30% off ‘really pretty’ robes and blankets
In the album, Jade shared her most cherished memories with Bobby and Freddy, writing: “Dear Bobby and Freddy – I have asked for this book to be made so that when you are older, you can remember just how much fun we had.
“I thank God that we made the most of our time together, and I treasure the moments we shared. These are the most precious moments.
“Some person much wiser than me once said that if you never discovered something you would die for, then you haven’t lived. Well, you are both proof that I have lived, I will always. Mummy.”
Before her time on Big Brother, Jade cared for her mother, Jackiey Budden, who had been left disabled by a motorbike accident.
Jade’s difficult childhood led her to audition for Big Brother, seeking an escape from her troubled home life. When she entered the house in 2002, she was unknown, but her vibrant personality soon captivated the nation.
However, it was her 2007 return to Celebrity Big Brother that thrust her into controversy. Jade’s treatment of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty sparked a media storm, with her racist remarks leading to a public outcry and an investigation. The scandal nearly derailed her career.
In 2008, Jade was diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer while filming the Indian version of Big Brother, known as Bigg Boss. Her diagnosis was revealed on television, and Jade’s fight against the disease became public. Despite her illness, she continued working, wanting to provide financial support for her children.
In her final months, Jade married her partner, Jack Tweed, in a touching ceremony just one month before her death. In those final days, Jade’s focus remained on her sons. Jade’s legacy extends beyond reality TV and for the awareness she raised about cervical cancer.
Since Jade’s passing, her sons have grown up in the spotlight, Bobby has become a rising star in EastEnders, and Freddy appeared on Celebrity Race Across the World. Both have continued to honour their mother’s memory in different ways.
Bobby, in particular, credited his father, Jeff Brazier, for his support and guidance, dedicating his success at the 2023 National Television Awards to him.
16 years on from Jade’s death, her impact continues to be felt. Jade’s courage in the face of terminal illness, her public battle with cancer and her devotion to her family continue to be her legacy today.