The Project host Peter Helliar reflects on the incredible ‘Sliding Doors’ moment he met his wife of 18 years – and how he almost missed his chance with her twice before
He’s been happily married to his wife Bridget for almost 18 years.
But on Friday, Peter Helliar recalled how he almost missed his opportunity to meet the mother of his children in an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly.
Telling their love story, The Project host, 45, reflected on the amazing ‘Sliding Doors’ moment he came to be with Bridget, after first being too afraid to speak to her at Sydney Airport’s boarding lounge.
Meet cute: Peter Helliar and wife Bridget (both pictured) have been married for almost 18 years – but The Project host almost missed the opportunity to meet the mother of his three children nearly two decades ago, after being too scared to approach her
‘For better or worse, you’re not the guy who approaches strange women,’ the then 24-year-old told himself, hoping she would sit next to him on the flight.
After he wasn’t so lucky with the seating plan, Peter spotted her at the airport being greeted by her family – but he shrugged off the moment as a missed opportunity.
But three days later, a ‘Sliding Doors’ moment occurred – which, based on the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, is when one moment or decision can change the course of someone’s life.
Bridget – who was 22 at the time – by chance decided to rock up to a comedy gig that Peter was performing at, and the rest is history.
Missed opportunity: ‘For better or worse, you’re not the guy who approaches strange women,’ the then 24-year-old told himself, hoping she would sit next to him on the flight’ Pictured: The duo in 2017
Looking back on the moment, Bridget added: ‘I had no recollection of him. He went up on stage and did this weird routine, which I’ve never seen since.
‘But then he invited us to his birthday party the following weekend, and that’s when I thought – “this guy is pretty cool”.
The couple have been blissfully happy ever since, and now share three children together; Liam, 18, Aidan, 16, and Oscar, 12.
Hilarious twist: Looking back on the moment, Bridget added: ‘I had no recollection of him. He went up on stage and did this weird routine, which I’ve never seen since’
They celebrated their 17th anniversary in November, and Peter shared a touching tribute to his wife on social media.
’17 years married today and this year has probably been the weirdest of them all! Probably!’ he wrote, referencing the pandemic.
He went on to say: ‘Nobody I would rather navigate a pandemic with than my wife, my love, my best friend.’
Read the full article appears in The Australian Women’s Weekly May issue, on sale now.
Happy family: The couple have been blissfully happy ever since, and now share three children together; Liam, 18, Aidan, 16, and Oscar, 12