June 23rd, 2009
Carly Zucker: Words to Live By
Steel yourself, dear readers.
We are about to lay down a WAG quote that is all kinds of life-altering, crazy-making and mind-blowing at the same time. Have some smelling salts and a trusted companion nearby should you faint with delight (or alternatively, explode into a million pieces of white hot rage) after reading.
Ready?
Here goes. From what is looking like the best issue of Hello! any of us will ever read in our lifetime, it’s Carly Zucker and her thoughts on work, post-marriage:
“I am offered projects all the time, but I don’t feel I need to prove anything, or that I need a career to feel good about myself.
I tried it before with the personal training as well as running the house, and it just made me stressed and unhappy.
It wasn’t good for me and it wasn’t good for Joe and his football. I am lucky enough to be in a position where I don’t have to work.“
Filled with seething, venomous anger? Or overwhelmed with admiration? Or both?
Starting today, we believe this statement should be read aloud at the start of every school day, public gathering and shopping mall opening.
Read the full interview in Hello! out today.

I agree with Elise that there are some very valid arguments here. I think the tone of her second sentence here just sounds very snobbish and off-putting. It seems as though she is saying, "I tried work and doing house stuff, you know, at the same time, and I didn't like it. Woe-is-me…" (sp?) But, taking the first and third line, it just sounds like she prefers to be a housewife and doesn't feel the need to try and pursue a career just to show everyone up. I think it would be great if one person in a marriage or long-term relationship can make a choice to stay home if they want (whether it be husband or wife
)
It's up to her what she does with her time, but I found her statement a bit too smug for my liking. The design of her dress is very nice, but I think it would have looked better in a plain satin, rather than that lumpy brocade.
She's probably just one of those women who just wants to be a stay at home mum, she's said in the past that she can't wait to have kids. She's obviously secure in her relationship with joe and see's that and raising a family as her priority. A bit 1950's for me but she's not alone and I don't see why people are judging her so harshly. There is nothing wrong with being a housewife and I don't see why she's being slated for it.
First of all, They both look great! Joe is so cute. and I don’t care what she said, she is still married to Joe Cole and i’m still jealous.
Her words disgust me. Millions of women bust their a*ses everyday just to put food on the table for their families. She's a complete insult to women. Daft spoiled little b*tch.
And I don’t care how pretty her dress is. She’s nothing but ugly.
Lazy much? Sitting on your ass and shopping all day has to bore one day.. She looks nice though
Thinking could hurt her brain(if she has any)! But the dress is stunning!
Not even running the house!!!!!!!! Is not that hard pay the bills , make sure everything is clean(she does not even have to do it herself) and cook. I'm sorry but if all of you do is nothing , then you are waisting precious air . PS:love the dress.
I am sure that if she ever DOES get tired of being a stay at home wife, she will do something about it.
Although saying what she said out loud wasnt the smartest PR move, she doesnt strike me as an useless person. Im sure over the time she’ll find sth she likes and it will become a sort of profession. And like someone said, she just told the truth about many of the WAGs. Sometimes its really better not to tell the truth and just play along
I have been working hard for many years and Id really be happy if I were in Carly’s position without having to work. I would probably find sth I enjoy, but then again, Carly will probably do sth like that too. I have always thought she’s really beautiful, but unfortunately without any sense of style, so this dress and generally the way she looked comes as a really pleasant surprise. Best WAG bride in my opinion. Big Kiss for all Kickettes
It is her life so she can make the decisions she feels will make her most happy I suppose. It's good that she admits that she is lucky to be in this position with a baller husband; I'm sure many women would trade places with her so at least she's not ungrateful. Although it seems unfair that many women across the world have to work hard all the time, with no choice over whether it makes them 'stressed and unhappy', she is in the position where she has a choice so she should probably take advantage of that. Only time will tell whether not working makes her depressed in the long run…
Lucky her for having the option to stay at home and not work. I know I would love to, and if the opportunity arose, I would sure take it. Not her smartest move making the comment 'I tried it before with the personal training as well as running the house, and it just made me stressed and unhappy'. That is not the way to win the hearts of the public who actually have to work and run the house and already have all the kids to go with it. I like the dress, but her hair makes her look much older than her real age, and I think she could have done with something around her neck? That is a big stretch of nothing between her dressline and her poofed up hair
She did contribute to the household income; in fact, she was paid to be in the jungle; she worked on her fitness and training business. She clearly brought money into the household.
Did she contribute equally in terms of dollars? probably no. Did he contribute equally in terms, of running the house? probably not.
what an absolutely ridiculous thing to say! ‘i don’t feel i need to prove anything’. Yes, since she has established herself so famously as the biggest consumer of hair-spray or whatver she uses to make her hair that big. It’s great that she’s supportive of Joe’s career and all, but really, i doubt she needs to make all the working women feel any less luckier just because they couldn’t find a man who could foot all their bills.
I am sure that if she ever DOES get tired of being a stay at home wife, she will do something about it.
She did contribute to the household income; in fact, she was paid to be in the jungle; she worked on her fitness and training business. She clearly brought money into the household.Did she contribute equally in terms of dollars? probably no. Did he contribute equally in terms, of running the house? probably not.
You know what? I say good for her. I am by all means a devoted feminist, which means that I support every woman's right to decide what she wants to do with her life. Equal rights don't come with the insistence that she must be a career woman. If being a stay-at-home wife makes her happy, then good for her. We all want to be happy. She's very lucky she has this option if that's what she chooses.Many of us have worked hard to have successful careers. But that was our choice. I'm tired of women slating other women for making different choices. It might not be what I would do, but I will always argue for a woman's right to choose.
I admire her honesty. Though I worry if she has the temperament to be a WAG. If personal training and housekeeping stress her out, how she is she going to cope with match day and end of year players dinners, and then children! Though I guess she managed to sell her life to hello OK, so there is hope.
ahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. gah. what a dumb wag. so sad for joe cole. she didn’t want you wang, she just wanted to be your WAG. see. that’s quality. way better than the hello article that i refuse to read. argh. thanks kickette.
I think she looks stunning in the pics – love the dress.
In the old days, women stayed at home regardless of what they were doing there. Women started working because the economic situation called for it and because they were actually allowed to after some serious activism. Carly isn’t inclined to work on account that they don’t need the money and she shouldn’t feel obliged to either just because the rest of society thinks she should. Any woman, or man for that matter, would kill to live the way she does but these are the same people who criticise her for doing what they wish they could do. Jealousy, perhaps?
Hopefully she doesn’t get divorced but, should their marriage go that way, any plan can be worked out. She’d survive.
In all honesty, I enjoyed her affirmation on how she doesn’t need a job to validate her and evaluate her being. Props to Carly.
Wow – people are really harsh. I say FINALLY a footballers wife has come out and said the truth. You marry/seriously date a baller and you DON’T HAVE TO WORK IF YOU DON’T WANT TO. What’s so wrong with that? It’s the same for a lot of Wall Street wives (well used to be).
If she doesn’t have to work (and doesn’t want to) why should she take a job from someone who does? It’s not 1950s at all for a woman to want to stay home and keep house and take care of the kids (when they have them). If you can afford to and you want to then why not? I’d love it personally. I’ve been working for many years now and would love to not have to and still be able to do the things I want to do.
Then the comments about what happens to her if they get divorced? Well we all just saw what happened to Ellen and they weren’t even married.
If they’re both happier with her at home and taking care of things there (and that doesn’t mean she has to be doing the housekeeping and gardening herself, there’s a lot to manage even if you do have help and they have a large house), and they can afford it then I say more power to them. Wish I was in that situation myself.
BTW – she looks really pretty and they both look very happy.
Hmmm….I’m in two minds about what she has said… on one hand, if they have a very large house/ property that is labour-intensive to take care of, does all the cooking/washing up/EVERYTHING that has to be done to keep a house emaculate, not rely on nannies, I think everyone should let her off the hook.
Not everyone wants strange people touching their smalls and having the front row to all their private daily commings and goings. Carly and Joe just may be very private and would prefer Carly to be in charge of house. I know I would..
BUT if she has maids/ironing ladies/ gardener/ all the other sort of help that footballers usually have, she needs to get a clue….
I respect her opinion, maybe she wants to be a stay home mom, But sometimes its not the best idea to depend on someone financially. You never know how things go and that gives people some kind of authority sense over you. There is nothing better than to be able to be financially independent and to not depend on anyone.
Let’s hope Joe never goes broke. She should be ashamed. But apparently is not smart enough. Poor Joe.
Urgh. I give it 2 years until Joe figures out she uses him for his money, or gets bored to death by her. What a dumb bitch.
She looks lovely. But I’m not surprised in the slightest she waited until she got the ring actually on her finger before reveal this life path
Good luck with that, Carly. She better get started on having kids right away if she doesn't want to go mad with boredom. Sitting at home and shopping all day won't be fun forever. I wish them all the best though. PLUS the dress is beautiful.
hahahahaha. this girl is deluded and in desperate need of a clue.
Let me rephrase that, be the homemaker if they want. I'm guessing that it was also probably discussed between Carly and Joe before marriage what the arrangement would be in terms of work, taking care of the house duties, etc. Best of luck to them!
What is everyone who is defending her talkin about? This isn't a woman who is making the choice to stay home to run a household and kids (which is hell of a job in in itself) This is a lazy woman whose life revolves around her man and shopping. "I tried it before with the personal training as well as running the house, and it just made me stressed and unhappy" She 'tried' running the house and it wasnt for her, jajaja….I find he truly pathethic, sorry thats just my opinion.
She sound like a dumb little misguided girl. Parents should be proud. She should really look into having a career and life of her own. Lord knows these football marriages don't last, what is she going to do when Joe trades her in for a prettier and newer model a few years down the line. Look at Elen Rives, chick is 34, divorced and no life of her own. Even she said shes 'old and with no career'.
oh and joe looks surprisingly good.
I forgot to say she looks great- very tasteful ( I feel faint just saying that).And I LOVE the fact they gave the 2 million they got from Hello to charity. They may not be the smartest pair but they seem a normal couple who are very happy together so Congrats to the couple.
I think I must be looking at different pictures to everyone else. The hair's wrong, the make-up makes her look much older than she is and the dress just isn't flattering. It doesn't look like it fits her properly round the boobs or the stomach/top of leg area.
Lazy mare. If doing a bit of personal training and "running the house" (I refuse to believe she has no help there) stressed her out too much, then I'm sorry but she's just not cut out for life.
OMFG<span class="wbr"></span> I<span class="wbr"></span> use<span class="wbr"></span> to<span class="wbr"></span> like<span class="wbr"></span> her.<span class="wbr"></span> Sorry<span class="wbr"></span> Carly<span class="wbr"></span> but<span class="wbr"></span> I<span class="wbr"></span> like<span class="wbr"></span> girls<span class="wbr"></span> that<span class="wbr"></span> try<span class="wbr"></span> to<span class="wbr"></span> stand<span class="wbr"></span> out<span class="wbr"></span> for<span class="wbr"></span> themselves,even<span class="wbr"></span> if<span class="wbr"></span> the<span class="wbr"></span> husband<span class="wbr"></span> is<span class="wbr"></span> rich.<span class="wbr"></span> so<span class="wbr"></span> nobody<span class="wbr"></span> can<span class="wbr"></span> call<span class="wbr"></span> them<span class="wbr"></span> goldigers.<span class="wbr"></span> ur<span class="wbr"></span> of<span class="wbr"></span> the<span class="wbr"></span> list<span class="wbr"></span> girl,<span class="wbr"></span> so<span class="wbr"></span> disappointed<span class="wbr"></span> right<span class="wbr"></span> now.<span class="wbr"></span> 1<span class="wbr"></span> more<span class="wbr"></span> reason<span class="wbr"></span> for<span class="wbr"></span> me<span class="wbr"></span> to<span class="wbr"></span> not<span class="wbr"></span> like<span class="wbr"></span> the<span class="wbr"></span> wags<span class="wbr"></span> and<span class="wbr"></span> their<span class="wbr"></span> behave.<span class="wbr"></span> *just<span class="wbr"></span> my<span class="wbr"></span> opinion*
Spot on posh. She feels good doing nothing.
I have nothing against homemakers whatsoever. We love to pick on her, but Alex is a good example. She writes a column and models occasionally. Beyond that, she takes care of her children and shops. Go on girl, do your thing. She's expressed on more than one occasion that she doesn't feel comfortable putting herself in a position like Carly did (in the jungle, ie). I think I agree w/ Macacinha a bit on this, it's really just her tone in the quote. She sounds defensive about how in demand she is in the 1st sentence, then she sounds incompetent in the 2nd sentence and then she sounds pompous in the 3rd sentence. Maybe she should have kept it simple and vague. Regardless, if someone is in the wonderful position to choose if they want to work or not. Man… do what makes you happy. I wish I had that choice. Or like 1/16th of that choice, lol.
i think she looks gorgeous! not too keen on the headpiece was expecting some hideous monstrosity seeing some of carlys previous outfit choices however i was plesantly suprised
xx
I have been in the position of not having to work – and it was nice, for a while. However I actually love having a career, making money and not having to bludge off my other half. I try to like Carly, however every time she opens her mouth, any slight glimmer of her coming across as a smart young woman goes up in flames…*yawn* just shut up and look pretty for your husband Carly – while it lasts, that is.
What a complete disappointment. I don't see how her having a career would be negative for Joe; in fact, I can only see the other way around. Having no life of your own will only help you feel miserable sooner or later. Good luck with that.
Uhm. She kind of has my dream spot on. But lately, I have stopped dreaming of never have to work and more about getting extremely successfull in the career I will choose. What will she do if the marriage ends?
Oh, and to comment on the outfit: She looks great. Nice dress and nice hair.
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Erin… I completely agree with everything you said
Awesome. One small step forward for Carly, one giant leap BACKWARDS for feminists everywhere. I hope he signed a pre-nup.
There are alot of valid points here in the comments and we all have different perspectives. (Erin and Freckles- well said.) It just depends on your own ideas about what makes your life valuable and what constitutes happiness. And Carly's statement that she doesn't need a career to be happy doesn't automatically mean she plans to just sit on her pretty bum or shop all day. There are loads of things I'd do with my life if I didn't have to work, things that would enrich my life and give it meaning and contribute in a positive way to any relationships that I might have, regardless of whether or not any of it produced an actual income. Maybe Carly feels the same way. Who knows….
Ruby, I think it’s the fabric. It doesn’t fit smoothly. I also agree about her makeup being very ageing.
Running the house:s Please she can’t fool me into believing they don’t have a housekeeper to keep the house clean and a accountant to handle their bills. Love the dress though.
hahahahaha. this girl is deluded and in desperate need of a clue.
We women are so very hard on each other. No one knows what goes on in other peoples’ relationships. I’ve been a professional working woman, supporting my husband financially while he was at school, and I’ve been a stay at home mother raising young children and being a support to my husband in other ways while he was providing for us. I would say to Carly the same thing I would say to my 24 year old daughter if she was faced with this choice: first, nurture your own identity apart from your partner; and second, protect your own financial worth. Other than that, it’s no one’s business.
Omg, this women will be so dead if her husband weren’t a footballplayer…
so excersise and Running the house stressed her out .. imagine what running the house will be like when you have kids love.. one good thing i have to say i like the dress !
I agree that she has the choice, that unfortunately so many women do not have. I am a stay at home mum and I love it, would hate to ‘have’ to work. BUT I dont claim to earn the money………..quote from the jungle "I have worked hard for the money WE have". No Carly you have not worked hard for the money, but you have the luxury of it, dont ram it down the throats of people who dont.
She does look prettier than I thought she would, thankfully the hair is up, but the false eyelashes are bad. I think that Leanne Brown looks better in her wedding dress.
Well it’s her choice.
Frankly, she does seem like it would exceed her abilities.
Uhm. She kind of has my dream spot on. But lately, I have stopped dreaming of never have to work and more about getting extremely successfull in the career I will choose. What will she do if the marriage ends?
Oh, and to comment on the outfit: She looks great. Nice dress and nice hair.
As a feminist, I agree with her. She has to make the choice that is right for her. If that is working on her career physical fitness or working inside her home, that is her call to make. Her life, her choice. Feminism isn’t about conquiring business, it is about the freedom of women to make their own choices.
It is not necessarily the choice that I would make but I see nothing wrong with her making her own choices that work best for her and her life.
Erin… I completely agree with everything you said
What a complete disappointment.
I don’t see how her having a career would be negative for Joe; in fact, I can only see the other way around. Having no life of your own will only help you feel miserable sooner or later. Good luck with that.
On a material point, I love her dress even more now that I see the full thing.
On topic, I don’t know really what to say to that, because I’m 17 – there is no way I could really understand just how much goes into running a house or working. But, as a die-hard feminist, I have to say that I’m proud of her for choosing her life and being honest about it. And I’ll end my opinion there because I’m far too immature to say anything else with a valid point.