Sailing legend Jessica Watson announces pregnancy

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 04:31 · Archive

Jessica Watson, who sailed around the world alone at 16, has announced she is expecting a child.

Jessica Watson, the Australian sailor who became the youngest person to circumnavigate the world solo, has announced she is expecting a baby. Watson made international headlines in May 2010 when she successfully completed her solo voyage around the world at age 16, surviving 210 days at sea including seven 'knockdowns'. She was subsequently awarded an Order of Australia Medal.

In an Instagram post, Watson said she was 'very excited' to reveal that the child would likely be born before January. 'We're very excited to be expecting a little crew member at the end of the year,' she said. 'I'm grateful, and acutely aware of how important it is to celebrate such a wondrous thing.'

Watson has kept her romantic life largely private since the death of her previous partner, Cameron Dale, in September 2021. Dale, who had been Watson's partner for ten years, died after a 'catastrophic stroke' caused by undiagnosed hypertension. More recently, Watson appeared in a 2024 Kia Tasman advertisement and was the subject of a Netflix biopic released in 2023.

How it is being reported

• Aussie sailing legend Jessica Watson OAM announces pregnancyAn Australian woman who sailed around the world solo when she was just 16 has made an exciting reveal about her future.The West Australian · 19 Oct, 04:11
• Aussie sailing legend Jessica Watson OAM announces pregnancyAn Australian woman who sailed around the world solo when she was just 16 has made an exciting reveal about her future.Perth Now · 19 Oct, 04:11

In this story: Jessica Watson · Australia · Cameron Dale · Netflix

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