Married At First Sight’s Stacey Hampton became emotional as she discussed her heartbreaking family history in a YouTube video last week.
The 26-year-old law graduate confessed she had grown up blaming herself for her father’s suicide when she was just a baby.
She later lost her older brother, who was like a father figure to her, in a motorcycle accident on the day she was due to give birth to her first child four years ago.
Emotional: Married At First Sight’s Stacey Hampton (pictured) became emotional as she discussed her heartbreaking family past in a revealing YouTube video last week
Reflecting on these two tragedies, a tearful Stacey said she would happily give away all of her material possessions to have both of them back.
The mother-of-two decided to speak about her past so openly because she had been unfairly portrayed as a ‘gold digging’ bimbo on Married At First Sight.
‘You should get to know the people you’re watching and you should have an insight into why they are the way that they are,’ Stacey began.
‘I used to lay in bed thinking was I the reason? Did he not want or love me?’: The 26-year-old admitted to growing up blaming herself for her father’s suicide when she was just one
‘Obviously I was portrayed in a way that was abrupt, quite rude and entitled, with the presumption that I didn’t work for what I’ve got and I live this perfect life,’ she added.
‘I can assure you that I probably go to bed most nights and cry more than most normal people.
‘The reason I am where I am is because I have lost people in my life. I’m not blessed, I’m not lucky and I’m not entitled. I have nice things, but it doesn’t mean I’m happy. I’d give away every single handbag I have, I’d give away my car, anything, just to make sure my kids are happy or to have my brother back or to see my dad.’
Tragic: She later lost her brother, who was like a father figure to her, in a motorbike accident when she was due to give birth to her first child four years ago, crying she’d give away her material possessions to have them back. Pictured: Stacey and her brother in an undated photo
Stacey grew up with just her mother and three siblings, and spent years with no idea what had happened to her father, or indeed who he was.
She explained: ‘I didn’t ask until I started primary school. I thought maybe he was in jail or something. It didn’t feel right. Every time I broached it with my mum, she would break down or go to the other room or something. I was so confused.
‘When I was old enough, I asked my sister and she told me. When I was one, my father killed himself on New Year’s Day. Hearing that was like automatic guilt. I blamed myself, I used to lay in bed thinking was I the reason? Did he not want or love me?’
Stacey added that growing up without a father ‘was so damaging’ and has affected her relationships with men to this day.
‘You start thinking that you don’t need a man and can do everything on your own. You see men as unreliable let-downs and that you can’t trust them,’ she said.
Past: Stacey revealed that she grew up with just her mother and three siblings, and spent years with no idea what happened to her father. Pictured: Stacey and her brother as children
In her YouTube video, Stacey explained that her father was ‘high up in the mining industry’ and his estate was put into a trust for her after his death, which is how she now manages to afford her designer lifestyle and luxuries.
‘That money is nothing. I didn’t know [my father], but I’d throw that money in the bin just to talk to him. To ask him what was going on, why he would leave us so hurt and damaged,’ she said, as she began to tear up.
‘As much as I feel sorry for what he was going through at the time to do what he did, I also sit back and think I can’t believe he’s left this huge impact on my family.’
‘The money is nothing’: Stacey explained that her father was ‘high up in the mining industry’ and his estate was put into a trust for her, which is how she affords her designer lifestyle
Truth: She opened up about her background to try and show Australians the real Stacey Hampton, following her portrayal on the reality show. Pictured: Stacey and Michael Goonan
During her introduction on Married At First Sight, Stacey also reflected on the death of her brother four years ago, who she says was like a father to her growing up.
An emotional Stacey said: ‘He was very protective and like my dad, but also like my best friend. It was the day my son was due to be born and I got a phone call from my mum, he’d had a motorbike accident that day. He died.
‘Having a child is meant to be the best day of your life. I was going through all of these emotions where I had such a beautiful blessing coming, but I just lost my best friend and basically my father figure.’
For confidential support in Australia LIFELINE: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au . Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Family: Stacey is a single mother to young sons, Kosta and Kruz (pictured)