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‘I spent too much time away’: Hayley Mills, 76, admits she should have focused more on her children and less on her career
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Former child star Hayley Mills has offered some sage advice to fellow parents, albeit with the benefit of hindsight: don’t neglect your children.
The Oscar-winner, 76, has two boys, film-maker Jason Lawson by actor ex Leigh Lawson, and Crispian Mills, the 49-year-old Kula Shaker frontman, whose father was Brighton Rock producer Roy Boulting.
But despite not always being around, Hayley, the daughter of Sir John Mills, is pleased her boys followed in her creative footsteps.
Speaking out: Former child star Hayley Mills has offered some sage advice to fellow parents, albeit with the benefit of hindsight: don’t neglect your children.
The mother-of-two told the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden: ‘If there’s ever any doubt about taking a job or spending time with your children — do the latter.
‘Looking back now — I didn’t. I spent too much time away.
‘They’ve survived, and they’re both wonderful men who I’m incredibly proud of, but they didn’t have an easy time.’
Family: The Pollyanna Oscar-winner, 76, has two boys, film-maker Jason Lawson by actor ex Leigh Lawson, and Crispian Mills (pictured right), the 49-year-old Kula Shaker frontman, whose father was Brighton Rock producer Roy Boulting
Since the age of 13, Hayley was a Disney child star, making popular family films such as Pollyanna and The Parent Trap.
She has also starred in the ITV1 drama Wild At Heart, as Amanda Holden’s mother.
Hayley received her first ever Oscar at the age of 14 for Pollyanna – meanwhile a long and distinguished career as a movie star her father John was never awarded one.
The film became so iconic a remake was released in 1961 starring Lindsay Lohan who played both of the twins.
Hayley previously revealed how she secretly battled breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease on her 62nd birthday in April 2008.
She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, until doctors told her the cancer had gone in 2010. She kept her illness private and only family members knew until years later.
At the time she told the Daily Mail: ‘They found cancer in both breasts and I had surgery very quickly. For me it helped to keep the news to myself. That’s the sort of person I am.
‘I know people who needed to tell all their friends, but for me it was a private thing and it helped me to get on with life as normally as possible.
‘I shared it with very few people. My family and partner were just wonderful right from the beginning. It’s so hard for the people close to you to deal with these things.’
Star: Since the age of 13, Hayley was a Disney child star, making popular family films such as Pollyanna and The Parent Trap. (Pictured: Hayley Mills in a promotional shot for the film Pollyanna)