ABC presenter and former foreign correspondent Lisa Millar has opened up about finding love in her 50s, her time covering traumatic events, and her new role on shows like Back Roads and Muster Dogs. Walking along Sandridge Beach in Port Melbourne, a spot that became a lifeline during lockdowns, Millar reflected on her career and life changes.
From Foreign Correspondent to Feelgood TV
Millar, who co-hosted News Breakfast for six years, recalled her time as a foreign correspondent in Washington DC and London, covering the Obama period and the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks. 'It was a really big time in the world ... and then it was just a string of big, heavy stories,' she said. The toll of covering tragic events weighed on her, but she noted, 'Even when really bad stuff happens there's always something quite incredible that comes from it, that makes you appreciate people.'
Her shift to feelgood programs like Muster Dogs and Back Roads has been a welcome reprieve. 'It's absolutely fantastic. I'm constantly seeing people show these lovely moments of kindness,' she said.
Finding Love in Her 50s
Millar revealed a surprise romance with Simon, a man she had known for 17 years. After initially turning down a lunch invitation, she changed her mind and 'just fell madly in love in that moment with someone that I had known for 15 years.' She added, 'Who would have thought that I'd get to my 50s and find, you know, love?'
Gold Logie and Embracing Challenges
Millar is up for her second Gold Logie nomination next month. 'Win or lose, it's just fun,' she said. Reflecting on her career, she said, 'I always thought, I want to have a big life, I don't want to let fears or anxieties or a lack of confidence to stop me from having a big life.' She added, 'I'm constantly out of my comfort zone. I constantly have butterflies about doing stuff. It's not like I have just got reams of confidence.'
Millar has made a pact with friend Leigh Sales to 'stick with it while the ledger of fun days outweighs non-fun days.' For now, she said, 'I just keep learning new things all the time and I still want to be better at what I do.'
