Lewis Hamilton is widely considered to be one of the greatest to put a helmet on and race. What makes his story more enthralling is the fact that he came from humble beginnings.
Everything he has achieved is all the more impressive considering what he has gone through to get there. Few have seen the same, and among them is his mother.
His biological mother, Carmen Larbalestier, was a loving presence in the seven-time champion’s life. While his father Anthony Hamilton was a recurring presence in Lewis’ career, his ex-wife and Hamilton’s mother Carmen cut a more elusive figure.
After Anthony and Carmen, Lewis spent his formative years living with the latter. The lad from Stevenage was raised by his mother until he was twelve years of age. He enjoyed every bit of living with her and his half-sisters Nicola and Samantha. He then moved to live with his father, his stepmother Linda and his half-brother Nicolas.
Carmen and Lewis share a great relationship. Although she doesn’t attend each race her son takes part in, she has always been there for his big moments. At the 2008 Chinese Grand Prix, Carmen was spotted with Lewis and his stepmother Linda. Two weeks later, Hamilton became a world champion for the first time in his career.
Hamilton’s mother was present when he won his fourth world title. The paid shared a hug, which was a moment for the cameras. Hamilton also has gone to great lengths to make his mother smile. He arranged a surprise 60th birthday party for her in London, and he even got Jessie J to sing there.
No regrets for Carmen
Carmen has spoken on how her divorce didn’t affect her son. She said, “Lewis was the best thing to come out of my marriage. [The divorce] didn’t damage Lewis. He is probably better for it than if we had stuck together in an unhappy marriage.”
She had no hard feelings for her ex-husband, either. “Tony wanted to be somebody and he has achieved that,” she said. “I wanted the quiet life and that put a barrier between us. I couldn’t see myself in that busy, hectic lifestyle.
“But I didn’t stop him making sure Lewis got what he wanted. Without his dad’s constant, constant work he would not have been able to continue.”
Lewis Hamilton is blessed with talent, fortune and money. Safe to say we can add a loving and supportive mother to that list.
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