Gemma Arterton: My mother is my main inspiration

OHMYGOSSIP — Gemma Arterton says her mother Sally-Anne is the biggest inspiration in her life and taught her lessons that have served her well in adulthood. The 27-year-old British actress insists her mother Sally-Anne – who brought them up alone after divorcing Gemma’s father when she was five – is the most inspiring person in her life and she learnt about hard work and the importance of being yourself from her mum.

The life lessons Gemma learnt from her mother have been useful throughout her career.

She said: “I have to thank my mother for giving me confidence. She brought up me and my sister on her own and never talked about any problems. I really appreciate how one woman could work hard and be a great mum at the same time. My mum Sally worked at two jobs, as a cleaner and seamstress … I am no campaigning feminist, but just seeing her set an example makes me convinced that women can do anything so long as they have belief in themselves … Her ability to look after and protect my sister and myself made us always feel optimistic about life. It allowed me to make decisions, both good and bad, and not feel restricted.”

The ‘Runner, Runner’ star – who has a good relationship with her father Barry Arterton, a welder – also credits her mother with providing her with her artistic nature.

Gemma and her mum and other family members would often play instruments together and the screen beauty insists Sally-Anne created a household where you could express yourself.

In an interview with The Sun newspaper, she explained: “Mum took me and my younger sister, Hannah, to music festivals like Glastonbury and Womad, and made sure I learned the guitar from about the age of seven. My sister and I used to have little jam sessions with her. In truth, mum was a bit of a punk in those days … Any artistic ability I might have comes from her. She was always taking an interest in art and visiting places. And she’s never boring – she still goes clubbing! Mum always seems much younger than she is.”

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