THE FAMILIES DINNER

Meet local super mum Adriana Hands

In an awe-inspiring tale of determination and strength, local supermum Adriana Hands has crafted an extraordinary existence, achieving numerous roles with grace and unwavering dedication. As a successful businesswoman and former VIP world events organiser, she has achieved remarkable triumphs. What truly sets her apart is that she has forged a notable career while simultaneously being a devoted mother to seven children; three of whom she lovingly embraced through adoption. Families South West sat down with Adriana to unravel her captivating life journey.

A childhood forged by adversity and responsibility

Adriana's childhood was a striking departure from the conventional. Hailing from Brazil, she was thrust into a world of responsibility at the tender age of 10. "As the eldest female child, I was compelled to oversee the household, caring for my two younger siblings while also cleaning and cooking for the entire family, on a daily basis." This demanding upbringing instilled an unwavering sense of responsibility and an unparalleled work ethic, shaping Adriana into the resolute and indomitable woman she is today. "If not for the arduous childhood I endured, I believe I would have been less successful in life. Thus, in a peculiar way, I am grateful."

A journey into motherhood

Adriana embarked on the remarkable voyage of motherhood at the tender age of 20, driven by a profound desire to experience the boundless love she yearned for. Over the years, she joyfully welcomed three biological children into her world, and just as wholeheartedly embraced three more through the transformative act of adoption, thus forming an enchanting tapestry of diversity and love within her cherished family.

Learning from life's challenges

Life cast an unexpected curveball in Adriana's path when her marriage reached an irreparable breaking point. Feeling overwhelmed, she decided to take a temporary respite from her familial obligations.

Perhaps due to an already strained relationship and Adriana’s absence, on her return she was met with the devastating revelation of a betrayal: her own sister had engaged in an affair with her husband. In the face of this profound adversity, Adriana made the difficult but imperative decision to separate from her husband, temporarily leaving her home and children. This marked a pivotal point in her life, but it also sparked an absolute determination to thrive. "I resolved to extract the best from this situation. The film 'Life is Beautiful,' by Robert Benigni, served as my inspiration. I said to my children, 'I have nurtured you to be benevolent forces in the world. Now, it is my duty to venture forth and create a world that will be benevolent to you.'"

The star of the night(life)

Adriana delved into the captivating realm of nightlife and managed to quickly make a sufficient income to secure a home for her children: by organising events. "It was an astonishingly swift fashion. Within the span of a mere five years I rose to become one of the most renowned VIP event organisers in the world."

What wisdom does Adriana impart on parenthood?

Adriana's extraordinary life journey naturally had a lasting impact on her own parenting style. “In my observations, from birth children don’t have any say or value regarding the natural talents they were born with. They are not seen as super beings, but instead like blank canvas, with no intelligence or self-awareness. Every parent knows what their child’s talent is, but as their own parents, and their grandparents, they choose to follow the line of influencing what their children ought to be and owe to society. I’ve constantly treated my children as responsible and trustworthy individuals.”

And Adriana might have found a winning formula for parenting. Her seven children have all grown up to become good hearted, successful, healthy and happy. “Success comes easily in anything they choose to do, because they know they are responsible for every single thing they participate in. Trust your child more than you trust anyone else, including yourself.”