Madeleine West has lived many lives— from Neighbours’ Dee Bliss to Underbelly’s Danielle McGuire, she’s been a fixture on Australian screens for decades.

Beyond acting, she’s also an advocate, a survivor, and now, at 47, she’s stepping into a surprising new chapter... motherhood for the seventh time.

What she first thought was menopause turned out to be an unexpected pregnancy, something that took time to embrace. But that’s not the only battle Madeleine has faced. Just a few years ago, she made the courageous decision to help police uncover a pedophile—the man who abused her as a child.

In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, Madeleine opens up about:

How she came to terms with becoming a mother again at 47
The media storm that forced her to announce her pregnancy before she was ready
The darkness she had to push through to become the woman she is today
The moment she wore a wire to confront her abuser

This is a story of survival, strength, and reclaiming your own narrative - no matter how impossible it may seem.

If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

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CREDITS:

Host: Kate Langbroek

Guest: Madeleine West

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

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19 - ‘Morning Star’ Ch. 8-12

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