She was a footballer’s wife long before the glam term even existed…Bente Schmeichel seldom gives interviews. Despite her life being touched by the fame of her husband Peter, and now her son Kasper, she is very comfortable being OUT of the spotlight, she doesn’t desire it and she doesn’t need it. So I am very grateful that she agreed to sit down for a chat with me. During our interview it soon becomes apparent just how much a doting mother hen to her 2 children she is. She also recently became a grandmother – a role she thorougly enjoys. Family is important to her.
She is her own woman – with a strong set of values, and is on her own Journey to continue to live her best life.
TSP: If you could go back in time to when you were 20 years old and give yourself some advice – what would it be?
BS: Never forget who you are! And you know, this is something I know I have followed. It is something I have really lived by. Never forget who you are and where you come from! Don’t let yourself be changed by your surroundings, this can very easily happen if you don’t hold on to yourself. You know my life could have been quite whacky if I hadn’t followed this advice.
TSP: I think that was very strong and wise of you to know this already at 20 years old.
BS: Well, it was just really important for me to hold on to my Danish roots where ever we were. And with that came the constant need to remember who I was.
TSP: You are I know, a Mother of two and now a Grandmother. What in your opinion, is the most important thing a Mother can do for her children?
BS: To listen and to never judge them! I have been really lucky that neither of my children have gone through a rebel stage. There are so many teenagers who rebel against their parents. Mine never did. But I was priviledged, I could spend time with them at home. It was a choice I made. It would have made things difficult in the family if I hadn’t stayed home to hold things together. I think it was because I made this choice that we avoided major teen issues. I was always home ready to talk about any potential problems before they got out of hand. They always knew they could come to me, and they were never afraid to as I didn’t judge them.
TSP: Are you a spiritual person? Do you believe that there is more to life?
BS: Yes. I really am. I am really interested in all things spiritual.
TSP: You are always searching?
BS: Yes. I am convinced there is more. The spiritual world means a lot to me. You know, I must say that it means more and more to me as time goes on. When I am calm, I can really sense and feel how people are doing. I wonder can everyone feel this? But I don’t think they can.
TSP: A kind of spirit sixth sense?
BS: Yes, something like that. I also read a lot of spiritual philosophies. I think for example that Buddhism has a lot going for it. If we all lived by some of these principals the world would be a better place.
TSP: Yes, it is one of the more peaceful religions?
BS: Yes, very much so. I also believe that we are here (on earth) many times. We are here to get experiences. So next time you come back, you bring the experiences you have previously learned with you. I am convinced that there are young souls and old souls. These things really interest me.
TSP: Do you have a life philosophy that you follow?
BS: Yes! Always treat people the way you want to be treated. The people you meet on the way up are the ones you’ll also meet on the way down. My parents installed this in me.
Photo credit: Bente Schmeichel private collection
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