The story of Lisa Curry’s daughter, Jaimi Lee Kenny, continues to move Australians. Her life, quiet resilience and devastating battle with illness shaped her mother’s mission to find meaning in heartbreak. Five years after Jaimi’s passing, Lisa Curry has turned personal grief into public purpose—advocating for mental health awareness, scientific research, and hope for future generations.
Early Life of Lisa Curry’s Daughter, Jaimi Lee Kenny
Born into one of Australia’s best-known sporting families, Jaimi was the eldest daughter of Lisa Curry, a triple Olympian, and Grant Kenny, a national Ironman champion. She grew up alongside siblings Morgan and Jett, surrounded by love, laughter and athletic spirit.
Lisa and Grant, who married in 1984 and separated in 2009, made a conscious decision early on to always be present.
“My dad rarely saw me compete,” Lisa recalled. “So we decided we’d never be like that. We’d be at every sports day.”
That choice defined their parenting. Despite fame, they remained grounded, raising children who valued compassion and effort over medals.
Jaimi herself was remembered as a gentle, creative and kind-hearted young woman who adored “all things pretty and simple”. Flowers, sunlight, wrapping paper, and soft colours made her happy—small beauties that reflected her warm, introspective spirit.
The Long Battle Faced by Lisa Curry’s Daughter
Behind her quiet grace, Jaimi endured a harrowing 18-year struggle with anorexia nervosa, intertwined with mental health issues and alcohol dependency.
Lisa and Grant supported her through countless relapses, hospital stays, and fragile recoveries. Lisa recalled:
“She’d say, ‘Where did it come from? Why am I like this?’”
The emotional toll was immense.
“You just have to find the strength to get through the day,” Lisa said. “It’s sad, it’s tiring, it’s exhausting—but you still have to live your life.”
Lisa explained that addiction and eating disorders are slow destroyers:
“They don’t kill you straight away—they kill you over time.”
Through it all, Jaimi’s gentle nature never left her.
“Even though she kept smiling right to the end, we could see the sadness in her eyes,” Lisa said.
The Final Days & Heartbreaking Goodbye
In September 2020, Lisa and Grant were called urgently to the hospital. Jaimi’s body was failing after years of illness.
Lisa ran to her side, whispering:
“Jaimi, it’s Mum. Open your eyes, baby. Squeeze my hand if you can hear me.”
There was no response.
“She just sort of took a breath and then her hands went cold—that was it,” Lisa recalled. “Watching someone you love die is something you never forget. We held onto every last second we had with her.”
Doctors told them bluntly, “Jaimi will die tonight.”
Lisa sobbed:
“No, no, no—I’m not ready.”
Her heart broke as the machines fell silent. Jaimi was just 33.
“It feels like your heart’s been ripped out,” she said.
Living with Loss – Lisa Curry’s Grief & Recovery
The aftermath was unbearable. For months, Lisa felt paralysed by sadness.
“I was tired of crying,” she admitted during her memoir tour. “At every interview, I had to relive the worst day of my life.”
Still, she kept speaking because, in her words:
“If I can help even one person feel less alone, it’s worth it.”
Her husband Mark Tabone became her anchor. “When I’m down, I just need to see the grandkids or talk to Mark for an hour—it brings me back to life.”
Lisa revealed she was an emotional eater, often drinking too much coffee and not moving enough.
“My body felt stagnant. Today I’m having a green tea instead of coffee—that’s a step,” she joked.
She also shared her dream of one day travelling around Australia with Mark and their dog in a van:
“I feel stuck sometimes, but I know it’ll come. That’s what I want to do—take off with Mark and the dog.”
Lisa Curry Daughter – Remembering Jaimi’s Light
To keep her daughter close, Lisa created an Instagram tribute page filled with floral photos and painted portraits.
“Our beautiful Jaimi loved all things pretty,” she wrote. “I started this page so I can add the pretty photos there. It helps me feel close to her.”
Among the posts are pink roses taken in Olbia, Italy, and the words:
“Forever young, forever 33. 🕊️ We miss you and love you. Love Mumma.”
She later shared a photo montage of happy memories, adding:
“Take a breath and remember that in time, everything will be okay.”
Lisa Curry’s Memoir & Family Reflections
In 2022, Lisa released her memoir “Lisa: A Memoir – 60 Years of Life, Love & Loss.” She began writing it at 50, paused after her co-writer was diagnosed with cancer, and finished it after Jaimi’s death when she turned 60.
“At least my children and grandchildren will never have to wonder who Granny was,” she said.
That week, Lisa appeared on Australian Story, podcasts, and breakfast TV to promote the book.
“It’s been a long week,” she admitted. “I’ve been reliving the worst day of my life on repeat.”
Her eyes, she said, carried “bone-deep weariness.”
The book revealed hidden family trauma. Her mother Pat had endured domestic violence from Lisa’s father Roy. Lisa recorded her mother’s story while she was in aged care, describing it as “awful but necessary.”
“Mum was still seeing a psychologist at 86. She remembered everything. As people get older, memories replay like old videotapes,” Lisa said. “She probably hung on to that her whole life.”
Lisa also reflected on her father:
“Men of his generation weren’t taught to express their feelings. We never talked about how he felt when he and Mum split up.”
After Pat’s death, Lisa found bags of newspaper clippings her mother had saved—articles about Lisa’s swimming career, her kids, and her advocacy work.
“I’m yet to go through them all,” she smiled.
Moments of Joy, Humour & Humanity
Grief never erased Lisa’s sense of humour. Her husband Mark—an Elvis impersonator—once had dinner with Priscilla Presley and Joe Esposito, Elvis’s road manager.
“He called one of Elvis’ friends the other day, and I said, ‘Why do you have his number?’ He said, ‘I’ve got all their numbers!’”
Lisa laughed that during her own career she met Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, and Nelson Mandela, but has no photos.
“We didn’t have mobile phones back then,” she said.
She also joked about her and Grant’s mountain of memorabilia:
“My poor kids—what do we do with it all? Memories can’t be valued like a diamond ring, but they sure take up more space.”
Lisa Curry Daughter – Jaimi’s Dream & Legacy
Before she died, Jaimi wanted to write a book to help others struggling with mental illness.
“It was too late,” Lisa said. “But I hope that by being honest—and knowing that Jaimi wanted to help others—we can help in some small way.”
After her passing, the family grew even closer.
“Everyone’s that little bit tighter now, because in the end, family is all you’ve got,” Lisa reflected.
Turning Pain into Purpose – Lisa’s Mental Health Advocacy
In 2022, Lisa made a plea that moved the nation:
“We put men on the moon, people live in space stations, build the tallest buildings—but we can’t work out how to fix mental health. Please make this a priority in your scientific mind. Please, please, help all the Jaimis in this world.”
That message became her rallying cry—transforming personal tragedy into a national movement for understanding.
Lisa Curry Daughter – The EDGI2 Genetics Study
In 2025, Lisa became the ambassador for the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative 2 (EDGI2), a world-first study led by Queensland’s QIMR Berghofer Institute.
The study aims to uncover genetic links to eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder and ARFID.
- 4,000 Australians and 100,000 volunteers globally are being recruited.
- Participants send saliva samples to map DNA patterns and identify hundreds of genetic markers.
- Scientists hope to develop a “polygenic risk score”—a tool that could detect vulnerability to eating disorders from birth or even before.
“I’m here to help tell her story,” Lisa said. “To help prevent another parent from losing a child.”
Professor Nick Martin, the lead researcher, explained:
“It’s not your fault—it’s the luck of the draw. By finding these genes, we can finally develop better treatments.”
One of the first Australians to sign up was clinical nutritionist Lexi Crouch, who battled anorexia for 15 years and endured over 25 hospitalisations.
“I didn’t feel seen at all,” Lexi said. “Lisa’s voice helps people like me feel heard.”
Family Unity & Healing
Lisa’s family remains her foundation. She asked Grant if he wanted to meet Mark before their introduction—he agreed. Now, both men get along, even building furniture together for the grandkids.
“I asked Grant if he wanted to meet Mark, and he was all for it,” Lisa said.
Lisa worries about Grant’s private grief.
“He’s a closed book emotionally, and I worry about him. He’s got mates and he’s got me, but it’s not the same.”
Her children Morgan and Jett remain her greatest comfort, always understanding when she needs space or closeness.
She dreams of the future with her grandchildren:
“I want the grandkids to love coming to the farm—to Granny’s place—because it’s a fun place to go. When I’m 90, I’ll be in my rocking chair, telling them all the stories.”
Lisa’s Health Challenges & Renewal
Lisa’s resilience has been tested physically as well as emotionally.
Seventeen years ago, she suffered myocarditis, 22,000 irregular heartbeats a day, mitral-valve prolapse, and endured a month in hospital on antibiotics.
In 2023, she fractured her hip in Canada while dog-sledding, leading to hip replacement surgery. It took months before she could return to exercise.
“Moving my body again has helped heal my mind,” she said.
In 2024, a heart scare in Fiji triggered her defibrillator when her pulse hit 270 bpm.
“It wasn’t a nice feeling. It made me give up alcohol for good,” Lisa said.
She now promotes heart awareness and tells followers:
“Always take symptoms seriously, even if they seem small.”
Lisa Curry Daughter-Fifth Anniversary Tribute
On 14 September 2025, Lisa shared a powerful post marking five years since Jaimi’s passing.
“The grief started before she was gone. Living with hope, living in fear—it was all-consuming. Even though we are still sad inside, we feel lighter, able to smile, laugh, and continue on. As long as we breathe, we will remember our beautiful Jaimi.”
Her husband Mark Tabone added:
“Jaimi’s legacy continues to help individuals and their families survive. Through her mother’s voice and experience, she has already helped many.”
Lisa closed her post with:
“We’re so sorry we couldn’t save you. Forever young and beautiful. We love you, Jaimi.”
Support Services & Continuing Mission
Lisa continues to raise awareness through her platform, encouraging open discussion about mental health and eating disorders.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available:
- Butterfly Foundation Helpline: 1800 33 4673
- Website: butterfly.org.au
“As long as we breathe, we will remember our beautiful Jaimi,” Lisa said. “We don’t know how strong we are until strong is all we’ve got.”
Lisa Curry Daughter-A Legacy That Lives On
Five years on, the story of Lisa Curry’s daughter has evolved into something greater than tragedy—it has become a message of love, resilience, and transformation.
Through her memoir, her partnership with EDGI2, and her unwavering public voice, Lisa continues to fulfil Jaimi’s unfinished dream: to help others live.
Her journey is one of courage through heartbreak, proof that even in loss, there can be light.
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