Lottie Tomlinson on grief and family strength after loss
The reality of grief left a lasting mark on Lottie Tomlinson. Losing both her mother and younger sister in just a few years forced her close-knit family to adapt, heal, and grow stronger. Now, she uses her platform to support others facing pain—showing resilience can come from the hardest heartbreaks.
Grief changes everything, but for Lottie Tomlinson, those darkest moments have shaped her into a woman determined to make a difference. After losing her mum, Johannah, to leukaemia in December 2016, and her sister Félicité three years later, the Doncaster-born influencer and mum-of-two has become an outspoken advocate on bereavement and end-of-life wishes. She shares how tragedy has brought her siblings closer, shaping her outlook on life, motherhood, and ambition.
From heartbreak to healing: a family’s journey
Lottie was just 18 when she faced loss for the first time. Her mother’s cancer diagnosis and rapid decline left Lottie and her siblings, including her older brother Louis and younger siblings Doris and Ernest (then toddlers), in shock. Reflecting on those days, she said:
"I think actually having two grief experiences taught me a lot because the first time round obviously it was so new to me and we hadn't really ever been offered any kind of support or therapy."
Her sister Félicité died at 18 in 2019 from an accidental overdose, bringing pain back. This time, Lottie sought help:
"When I lost my sister a couple of years later, it really made me want to deal with it differently."
The power of support and therapy
Therapy marked a turning point for Lottie. After missing professional support when her mum died, counselling following her sister’s passing gave her space to heal.
"They offer so many amazing support networks through therapy; it was such a different experience for me the second time around, having that therapy."
She credits closeness with her family for aiding recovery:
"I definitely don't think we would have dealt with our grief as well as we have without each other."
Motherhood has also changed her perspective. With Lucky, 3, and Flossie, 1, Lottie explains:
"It's not just you anymore; you want to make sure that everything's in place for your kids, in case anything were to happen to you."
She balances ambition and family life:
"I feel really lucky that I am in a position where I can still raise my kids, but also still chase my dreams and be ambitious."
Championing change: campaigns, legacy, and a new chapter
Lottie’s work goes beyond personal healing. She supports Sue Ryder’s The Cab Fare-well campaign, encouraging people to discuss end-of-life wishes openly. About this, she said:
"Working with Sue Ryder will always be such a highlight" and "so fulfilling for me in that way and I think it's amazing what they do."
She honours palliative care professionals, stating they "deserve" recognition for their compassion in difficult roles.
She is also involved with Legacy Hub, a platform helping families organise important documents and memories. "It takes two minutes to download this app, you can assign an executor so people know who to contact," she explains, emphasising the importance of easing the burden on loved ones after death.
Despite juggling a career in beauty—including working as Selena Gomez’s tour makeup artist and collaborating with figures linked to One Direction—Lottie prioritises family happiness.
"That's what makes me happy, a healthy family, calmness, just little things that make you happy... Life's too short."
Looking ahead, she is excited about her wedding to fiancé Lewis Burton planned for summer 2026.
"We got engaged a few years ago now, it's gone so quick... So we have finally settled on a venue in the UK. And it's booked for next summer, so we're so excited for that."
Her mother’s influence remains profound:
"She's the reason I'm doing this today. She pushed me to go on the tour when I was too shy and didn't really want to. Without that push from her, I wouldn't be where I am today, so I always credit her for that."
Lottie feels fulfilled helping her community:
"I try and embrace it because my audience is obviously what helps me drive my career, and I'm really grateful to have that community."
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Lottie Tomlinson opens up on family becoming stronger after losing mum Johannah
