Cold moment between Blanche d’Alpuget and step-daughter could foreshadow battle for late PM’s estate

The icy thumbs-up that sums up the fractured relationship between Blanche d’Alpuget and Bob Hawke’s eldest daughter – as his family prepare to split up his multimillion-dollar estate

  • Sue Pieters-Hawke was seen shaking hands with dignitaries at her dad’s funeral 
  • Cameras caught the moment when Blanche d’Alpuget gave her a thumbs up 
  • Ms d’Alpuget has endured a rocky relationship with her stepchildren  
  • Hawke previously stated his kids were not happy he married his mistress 

Blanche d’Alpuget and stepdaughter Sue Pieters-Hawke were caught in a frosty encounter during late prime minister Bob Hawke’s state-funeral last week reigniting rumours they are back on the outs.

More than 2,000 people crammed inside the Sydney Opera House for the service for the political giant on Friday last week.

And while the 90-minute state memorial service for the longest serving Labor leader was filled with many laughs and fond memories of the ‘larrikin’ leader, it was hard to miss the tension between widowed d’Alpuget and her stepchildren.

Sue Pieters-Hawke, the daughter of Bob Hawke, acknowledged her stepmother while delivering a eulogy at her father’s funeral at the Sydney Opera House last Friday

Sue Pieters-Hawke was seen hugging and shaking hands with the dignitaries after delivering her father's eulogy.  However, when she came to Ms d'Alpuget (far right) she was greeted with a cool thumbs up

Sue Pieters-Hawke was seen hugging and shaking hands with the dignitaries after delivering her father’s eulogy.  However, when she came to Ms d’Alpuget (far right) she was greeted with a cool thumbs up

When Mr Hawke’s eldest daughter, Sue Pieters-Hawke acknowledged her stepmother while delivering her eulogy, cameras caught Ms d’Alpuget’s less than loving reaction.

Moments later, as she left the stage, Ms Pieters-Hawke was seen hugging and shaking hands with the dignitaries who had been seated in the front row.

However, when she came to Ms d’Alpuget, she was greeted with a cool thumbs up. 

Ms Pieters-Hawke then awkwardly squeezed the 75-year-old’s knee before quickly moving on to the next person. 

Hawke’s multimillion-dollar estate is reportedly yet to be settled, adding further meaning to the icy interaction between his daughter and second wife. 

Ms d’Alpuget has had a rocky relationship with her stepchildren since their father left their mother for her in 1995.  

Mr Hawke’s divorce from first wife of 38 years, Hazel Masterson, had left him estranged from his children for quite some time.    

In 2014, the former prime minister confirmed rumours of a rift between Ms d’Alpuget and his three children, following the death of Masterson. 

Blanche d'Alpuget and Bob's granddaughter Sophie Taylor-Price speak during the State Memorial service for former prime minister from the steps of the Sydney Opera House

Blanche d’Alpuget and Bob’s granddaughter Sophie Taylor-Price speak during the State Memorial service for former prime minister from the steps of the Sydney Opera House

Ms d'Alpuget has had a rocky relationship with her stepchildren since their father left their mother for her in 1995

Bob Hawke and second wife Blanche

Ms d’Alpuget has had a rocky relationship with her stepchildren since their father left their mother for her in 1995

Mr Hawke's divorce from first wife of 38 years, Hazel Masterson (pictured in 1988) had left him estranged from his children for years. She died in 2013

Mr Hawke’s divorce from first wife of 38 years, Hazel Masterson (pictured in 1988) had left him estranged from his children for years. She died in 2013 

‘The kids weren’t happy about the fact that I divorced and married Blanche. And they weren’t as nice to Blanche as they could and should have been’, he told the ABC. 

Ms d’Alpuget also revealed the children had made it clear to her that they did not want to accept her into their family.  

But there seemed to be a moment of a peace after the death of their mother, when Ms Pieters-Hawke acknowledged that Ms d’Alpuget had been a ‘fabulous’ grand-stepmother and ‘wonderful’ stepmother. 

Mr Hawke’s youngest daughter Rosslyn Dillon also told the publication she had developed a close relationship with Ms d’Alpuget after her mother passed. 

In 2014, the former prime minister admitted his children were not happy about the fact that he married his mistress. Pictured: Bob Hawke, daughter Sue, and Ms d'Alpuget

In 2014, the former prime minister admitted his children were not happy about the fact that he married his mistress. Pictured: Bob Hawke, daughter Sue, and Ms d’Alpuget 

 



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