It’s not all glitz and glamour being married to the Prime Minister, says Bronagh Key.
In reality, New Zealand’s “first lady” is just as happy tidying up after her kids, Stephie, 23, and Max, 20, as she is chatting to the Queen.
“Once, I went from staying in Balmoral Castle to flying to Paris, and the next morning I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the toilet,” she laughs, as she gives the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly a sneak peek into her life away from the cameras.
Stephie has been living in France since enrolling in art school when she was 17, and now produces work under the name Cherry Lazar, while Max has recently taken a role as a radio DJ while completing his studies at the University of Auckland.
Juggling two adorable guide dog puppies for her role as ambassador for the Blind Foundation, the 52-year-old admits being in the spotlight is not always easy.
“I think you have to have a good sense of self, be reasonably independent, have a sense of humour and a thick skin – although you learn that as you go along,” she says.
“It wouldn’t be right to say I don’t enjoy it, but I have never made any secret of the fact I’m more backward in coming forward,” she says of her public profile.
But that won’t stop her getting out to collect for this year’s Red Puppy Appeal.
Just as she has in previous years, Bronagh will be rattling a can for donations during the foundation’s street appeal, which runs on April 1 and 2.
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