Who was Jade Goody and how many children did she have?

BIG BROTHER star Jade Goody was just 27 when she tragically died.

Here’s what we know about the late reality star’s life, from her career to the children she left behind.

Who was Jade Goody?

Jade Goody was born in Bermondsey, South London, in June 1981, to mum Jackiey Budden and drug addict dad Andrew Goody.

Jade’s parents separated when she was just two and her dad sadly died of a drug overdose in Bournemouth in 2005, at the age of 42.

After leaving school Jade worked as a dental nurse in Essex before being selected to be a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002.

When did Jade Goody appear on Big Brother?

Jade immediately shot to fame when she appeared on the third series of Big Brother, then aired on Channel 4.

Jade split opinions but generally gained loyal fans for her endearing lack of general knowledge and drunken antics.

Although she didn’t win Big Brother, she emerged as the stand-out show from the series. 

Following her success on the show, Jade was given her own reality TV show and came out with her own perfume called Shh, and a series of work out DVDs. 

What happened with Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty?

Jade returned to the Big Brother house in 2007 for Celebrity Big Brother, taking her mum, Jackiey, and boyfriend Jack Tweed with her. 

The atmosphere in the house soured when Jade became embroiled in a scandal concerning her racist treatment of fellow contestant, Bollywood star, Shilpa Shetty. 

Jade was ultimately evicted after receiving 82 per cent of the vote when she was up against Shilpa for eviction. 

Later, Jade visited India to apologise for her behaviour and went on to appear on Bigg Boss, the Indian version of Big Brother. 

Was Jade Goody Married?

Jade was married to partner Jack Tweed, who she met in 2005 in a nightclub in Essex. 

Jack, who was just 18 when he met Jade, is an electrician. 

Although the relationship was reportedly stormy, the pair tied the knot in February 2009 in Down Hall country house near Hatfield Heath, shortly before she died, leaving Jack a widower at the age of just 21. 

The couple sold OK! magazine exclusive photographic rights to the wedding for £700,000 deal.

Before meeting Jack, Jade dated Jeff Brazier in 2002 and they were together for two years.

How did Jade Goody die?

Jade had a number of health scares — abnormal cells were found after a cervical smear test — but it was when Jade entered Bigg Boss that she received a diagnosis of cervical cancer, in August 2008.

Returning to England, she found out that the cancer was at an advanced stage, and she was to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. 

The cancer was aggressive, and in early 2009 Jade discovered that it had spread to her liver, bowel and groin. 

Doctors at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London told her that her cancer was terminal.

During this time, Jade was baptised alongside her sons, and she was able to marry Jack.

Jade’s mum Jackiey Budden revealed that Jade expressed wishes to end her life in Switzerland, via assisted suicide, during her final weeks.

Jackiey said: “She wanted to go to Switzerland to have the injection. She kept telling me and Jack all the time.”

On March 22, 2009, Jade died in her sleep, with her mum Jackiey, husband Jack and her friend Kevin Adams at her side. 

Her funeral was held at Buckhurst Hill in Essex in April 2009 and her grave is not far from her home in Epping Forest.

Jade’s tragic death led to half a million more women than usual booking a cervical screening —  in March 2009, attendance was 70 per cent higher than expected.

Jade’s death prompted half a million more women than usual to book a cervical screening.

The reality television star’s diagnosis played a huge role in raising awareness for cervical cancer in the UK. 

The Sun launched a campaign called Jade’s Legacy, to reinforce the message that smear tests are essential.

What are the rest of Jade Goody’s family doing now?

Jade’s sons Bobby and Freddie, who were just 5 and 4 years old when their mum tragically died, moved in with their father, Jeff Brazier, who married his partner Kate Dwyer in 2018.

The two boys served as best men for their dad at his wedding to Kate.

Bobby, now 20, is working as a model, as well as acting in EastEnders, and has won the hearts of the nation with a stellar run on Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Dianne Buswell. 

Freddie, 19, has followed in his older brother’s footsteps by starting a career as a model. 

Jeff joined a campaign to encourage people to conquer their FOFO – the Fear Of Finding Out – and make sure they got for regular health check-ups, like cervical smear tests.

Jeff told The Sun: “Jade had warnings, she had letters from the doctors and in her mind, she hoped that if she just ignored it, it would go away.

“We know how that ended up and I know as the father of the two children who were left behind that the last thing you want to do is bring two children into the world and then tell them they are going to have the rest of their childhood, from the age of four and five, without the most important person in their lives.”

Jade’s mum Jackiey has recently spoken about how proud she is of Bobby’s turn on Strictly: 

She said: “I was only allowed to talk about it when I saw it in The Sun.

“But I’m over the moon and he’s just stepped in his mum’s shoes — he’s in Jade’s trotters.

“He’s been born to bring Jade back as himself, because he’s the spit of Jade — he’s got his daddy’s head.”

How many children did Jade Goody have?

The late star had two children with her ex Jeff Brazier, Bobby, 20, and Freddie,19. 

Bobby was born June 6, 2003, and Freddie followed a year later in 2004.

In 2021, Bobby revealed that as he was only five when his mother died in 2009, said he tragically wasn’t “with her long enough to miss her”.

“I miss what could’ve been. I hear all the time she was such a presence, that she was one of a kind,” he said.

“I just would’ve loved to have seen what other people had seen,” Bobby added.