A lot of parents have recently found themselves taking on multiple roles they weren’t expecting – whether that’s being a teacher, entertainer or full-time snack provider. And for one celeb in particular, it’s all become a bit much.
An insider close to Kate Ferdinand tells us, “Kate has been really overwhelmed by everything she’s had to do over the past couple of months, and it’s starting to take its toll. She does most things around the house, plus she’s doing the majority of the home schooling, as well as launching Ferdinand Fitness with Rio. She’s also been keeping up with her own exercise routine and just feels burnt out at the moment.”
Kate Wright and Rio Ferdinand relationship timeline
1 of 27Kate Wright and Rio Ferdinand's relationship timeline: Swipe through to see how their romance has blossomed
2 of 27January 2017: Rio's spotted leaving Kate's house
Rumours first started to circulate about a possible romance between footballer Rio Ferdinand and TOWIE star Kate Wright back in January 2017, after Rio was spotted leaving her house in Essex.Kate had recently split from her co-star Dan Edgar, while Rio's wife Rebecca sadly passed away in 2015 after a short battle with cancer.
3 of 27July 2017: Kate and Rio spotted out together
Kate and Rio officially went public with their relationship, after being spotted out for a romantic drink in London. Read more on that here.
4 of 27July 2017: Kate and Rio go Instagram official
Kate and Rio went Insta official when Rio shared an adorable family snap featuring Kate and his three kids wearing matching trainers.
5 of 27July 2017: Kate and Rio go Instagram official
Kate then shared a similar pic, confirming she's been spending time with Rio's family.
6 of 27August 2017: Kate makes her debut on Rio's Instagram
In August 2017, Rio shared a snap from his family holiday in Portugal featuring Kate bang in the middle. He captioned the photo, 'Decent day with the fam ❤ufe0f '
7 of 27September 2017: Kate quits showbiz to focus on new family
Kate Wright reveals she's quit showbiz and reality TV in order to focus on being a step-mum to Rio's three kids, Lorenz, Tate and Tia.She said, "I'm taking a step back from the public eye, I want to keep my life private as I lived my previous relationship on TOWIE, my priority right now is Rio and the family."
8 of 27September 2017: Kate and Rio move in together
Speculation starts to mount over Kate and Rio's living situation, as Kate posts a number of workout selfies from Rio's home gym.
9 of 27October 2017: Kate shares first couple picture with Rio
After months of keeping us waiting and teasing pictures on Instagram, Kate finally posted her and Rio's first couple picture. And it's hilarious.
10 of 27October 2017: Kate and Rio holiday in Dubai
In October, Kate and Rio enjoyed a romantic holiday together in Dubai.
11 of 27October 2017: Kate shares Halloween snap of Rio's kids
Seemingly stepping up to her role as step-mum, Kate shared a (slightly terrifying) picture of Rio's kids dressed up for Halloween on Instagram.
12 of 27November 2017: Kate and Rio prepare for first Christmas together
In November 2017, Rio posted his first picture of him and Kate together with a festive post on Instagram.
13 of 27December 2017: Rio shares ADORBS couple pic on Instagram
After months of keeping their romance under wraps, the couple are now living the PDA life all over social media.
14 of 27December 2017: Kate spends Christmas with Rio and his kids
Rio shared another family snap, revealing Kate was spending Christmas with him and his three children. And their matching PJs are TOO much.
15 of 27January 2018
To mark the end of 2017, Rio shared a post dedicated to Kate. Below the cute throwback snap he wrote, "To say 2017 has been a tough year would be a huge understatement. Some dark moments but brightness has been spread around me and mine by this one in many different forms. Christmas being just 1 example, all the thoughtful little details that make things that much better for all of us ud83dude18 little throwback pic."
16 of 27January 2018: Kate also shares touching throwback
Kate also took to Instagram to reflect on the last year, paying tribute to Rio and his family. She wrote, '2017.... the hardest but most rewarding year yet! Ups & downs but I have gained 4 of the most precious people ud83eudd17.... Happy new year everyone, I hope your year is filled with health & happiness, keep your loved ones close ❤ufe0f❤ufe0f .'
17 of 27January 2018: Kate and Rio in Disneyland
Kate and Rio are the definition of couple goals as they pay a visit to Disneyland Paris.
18 of 27January 2018: Kate and Rio's daughter Tia wear matching outfits
Just when we thought Kate and Rio couldn't get any more adorable, Kate posts a super sweet snap wearing a matching outfit with Rio's daughter Tia. Our hearts.
19 of 27March 2018: Kate pays tribute to Rio's children
She wrote, "Happy Mother's Day to my lovely mum ud83dudc97 I love you so much. Although I am lucky to have my mum here with me today I can't help but feel so overwhelmed and full of emotions that both Rio and the children don't have their mums with them today. "We are living in a house full of grief trying to get through and days like today just feel so tough. Celebrate your mother's and keep them close. ud83dudc97 & happy Mother's Day to all the step mums out there it's a hard role that I don't think anyone often gets the credit they deserve for it. If you aren't being celebrated make sure u know u r doing an amazing job."
20 of 27May 2018: Kate reveals Rio's kids have been begging them to have a baby
Kate revealed, "At the beginning, I could never imagine the kids would talk about the future with me. When I'd pick them up from school they'd say I was an aunt, then it turned to their dad's girlfriend and now they say I'm their step-mum. "On a daily basis, they'll ask 'when are you giving us a baby brother or sister?' I have to say 'not yet'. They'll say 'when do you want to get married, we want to be bridesmaids'."
21 of 27May 2018: Rio thanks ‘beautiful girlfriend’ Kate in heartfelt BAFTA speech
Rio picked up the award for best documentary at the ceremony following his touching documentary Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad, which focussed on dealing with grief and raising his three children after his wife died in 2015.He said, "I'm just pleased to say that this documentary has played a part in propelling me forward into a period of happiness in my life now where my kids are very happy. I've got a beautiful girlfriend now and we are making steps in the right direction."
22 of 27May 2018: Kate praises Rio after BAFTA win with beautiful post
She wrote, "My baby won a bafta!!! Overwhelmed with emotion for you... Feels strange to be happy through winning something through sadness, but I'm so happy for you, for raising awareness and helping others. You are amazing, here is to the future , but always keeping the past in our hearts. I love you ❤ufe0f."
23 of 27May 2018: Rio opened up about plans to marry Kate
Rio told the Daily Star, "We do talk about it. But I'm not going to sit here and give you a date."
24 of 27November 2018: Rio and Kate got ENGAGED!
Rio and Kate shared photos on Instagram, revealing that Rio had proposed to Kate on holiday in Abu Dhabi with his kids' approval. Rio wrote, ''She said yes ud83dudc8d ❤ufe0f How these 3 kids kept it a secret I'll never know ud83eudd37ud83cudffd♂ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤".Kate added, "The perfect end to our holiday ... How could the answer not be yes ❤ufe0f❤ufe0f."
25 of 27September 2019: Kate and Rio get married in Turkey
Just one-year after THAT cute proposal, Kate and Rio were joined by close family and friends as they tied the knot at a luxury hotel in Turkey.
26 of 27June 2020: Kate and Rio announce they are expecting a baby
In June 2020, Kate and Rio shared a super-cute video to their Instagram pages, revealing they are expecting their first child together. Rio's three children, Tia, Lorenz and Tate, were over the moon at the news, expressing their love in the video.
27 of 27July 2020: Kate's fans became convinced of her baby's gender after her sweet bump snap
After Kate posted a holiday snap taken by step-daughter Tia in July 2020, her fans became convinced she was having a little girl! Due to an old wives tale, Kate followers think she could be having a girl, because of where her bump is sitting. One wrote in the comments, 'Looks like u r having a girlud83dudc97ud83dudc97ud83dudc97,' as another added, 'You definitely have a girl bump! Enjoy every moment x.'
Kate, 28, is stepmum to husband Rio’s three children – Lorenz, 13, Tate, 11, and nine-year-old Tia – and by the couple’s own admission, she’s the one in charge of the Ferdy home school. In a recent interview, Kate revealed, “It’s home schooling that we’re struggling with. It’s hard to manage fitness, work, having a clean house, cooking and home schooling.” And when asked if they were “any good” at teaching their kids, 41-year- old Rio immediately pointed at his wife and said, “I’m not, she is. She’s headmistress.”
The couple – who are known for their love of fitness – began putting their home workouts online for fans to use under the name Ferdinand Fitness. And while it’s clear they enjoy working out together and having some banter, their hectic home life seems to be having an effect.
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Last week, Kate told her Instagram followers she wouldn’t be able to join in on the first day of the couple’s “25 day abs challenge” due to sciatica and not sleeping because of the pain in her back. She also posted a telling quote, which read, “When you notice your mental health declining, do one small thing that brings you peace. Take a shower, text a loved one, step outside. One little step is all you need to remind yourself that this is not permanent.”
Our source explains that Kate just needs a break now and again. “She’s trying her best, but she can’t do it all,” we’re told. “She was gutted she had to pull out of some online fitness classes, but thinks it’s her body’s way of telling her she needs a rest. Rio has been looking after her and making sure she’s OK, but the reason the house runs so smoothly is because of her. She’s taken a lot on, and while she loves it and wouldn’t change anything, she needs a rest from time to time.”
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