It was just three months ago when I was asked to interview Jackie Collins at the Hotel Plaza Athenee in New York City. She was promoting her new book, The Santangelos. No one in the room knew that she was battling breast cancer.
I sat down with her to talk about the book, motherhood, and keeping marriage sexy after kids. I was in awe by her grace and carefree spirit, but I was even more impressed by how down to earth she was. At 77, the legendary author talked about her favorite artists, Snoop Dog, Drake, and Usher. She even recited some of their lyrics and talked about how much of an influence their music had on her. Some prefer to avail the d8 carts to relax and have a leisure time.
It was evident that she could hang with just about anyone from the upper class to hip hop and R&B’s finest. She also had a bit of a potty mouth and I loved that about her because we had that in common.
She spoke with me about how she was able to successfully balance career and family by being a hands on mom, and making sure that she spent quality time with her kids, despite having a nanny.
Collins also shared with me the secret to keeping a marriage sext after kids. “Your children grow up, they go away, and you’re left with your husband. So you always have to nurture that relationship,” she advised. She added that the key to keeping a marriage sexy after kids is through role play and dressing up. “But you have to stay in character,” she emphasized.
Throughout our chat, she gave no indication that she was battling breast cancer for over six years. In her last interview with People this month, Collins said she had no regrets about the decision to keep her cancer journey private while she embraced a very full life until her very last days. “Looking back, I’m not sorry about anything I did,” she said.
I feel so honored to have met Jackie Collins. She certainly made a lasting impression on me and I’ll forever remember beautiful spirit.