Mumfluencer Anna Whitehouse, known as Mother Pukka, has defended herself against critics who judged her for having a baby just one year after her divorce. The 43-year-old journalist and social media activist welcomed a daughter, Lola, with new fiancé Olly Bretton, whom she met on dating app Hinge shortly after splitting from husband Matt Farquharson in September 2023.
In a piece for Mail Online, Whitehouse described how she and Bretton, a 40-year-old lawyer, matched on Hinge and felt an 'instantly clear' connection. They fell in love during a New Year's trip to Thailand just one month after their first date, where they decided to get engaged. Whitehouse recalled: 'Sitting on plastic chairs on the beach... he turned to me and said: "If it wasn't for the judgment of everyone else, I'd ask you to marry me right now." I replied: "If it wasn't for the judgment of everyone else, I would ask you to marry me too." Then I looked at him and asked: "Will you marry me?" I can't put into words how happy I felt when he held my hand and said: "I will."'
After announcing their engagement in May, the couple faced criticism from some followers and friends who felt the relationship had moved too fast. Whitehouse responded: 'One or two people were predictably quick to respond with: "That's fast!" Maybe it was, but we're both at a stage of life where we know what makes us happy. Of course, people are entitled to their opinions, but what wasn't fair was the suggestion that I was having some kind of "midlife crisis."' She added that her two daughters have 'never been happier' and that friends have since come around after seeing how happy the couple are together.
The couple began trying for a baby soon after getting engaged, and Whitehouse announced her pregnancy in June, telling Instagram followers: 'Still can't quite believe it. To be pregnant at 43. A little [baby emoji] between our four kids; Our blended family. Happiness doesn't cover it.' She also addressed the judgment she faced: 'There is a lot of shame/judgement in moving-on post-separation and I'd love that to change.'
