How Renée Zellweger finally found peace and happiness in her 50s

She’s suffered from depression and heartbreak, but Renée Zellweger seems more content than ever with a new role and a blossoming relationship

renee zellweger

by Lauren Hill-Roger |
Updated on

Fans did a double take last week after Renée Zellweger was spotted wearing a full-body fat suit for her role in new NBC series The Thing About Pam.

In the show, Renée, 52, plays Pam Hupp, who was found guilty of killing a disabled man in 2016 and was charged this year with stabbing a close friend to death in 2011.

But while the fat suits have been criticised for being “fatist”, the Hollywood star has insisted she would not be pressured to put on weight again after her 2001 role as Bridget Jones – which saw her gain over 2st before rapidly losing it again – left her feeling “mentally whacked” and “all over the place”.

bridget jones
She played Bridget Jones ©Shutterstock

She became anxious after learning of the dangers of extreme dieting, saying, “I had a panic attack with all the specialists talking about how bad this is for you, long term, putting on that much weight in short periods of time. They’re all saying, ‘You must stop this now or you’re going to die’.”

Renée’s determination to put her wellbeing first coincides with the star finding love with her boyfriend of four months, British presenter Ant Anstead, 42, with sources recently saying she “is excited about the future again” and “feels secure in herself”.

The loved-up couple met on the set of Discovery+ series Celebrity IOU: Joyride, which he presents, earlier this year.

Ant, who now lives in California, said last month, “It’s something I’m not really willing to talk too much about. I don’t want to put any pressure on that [but] Renée’s really lovely… It’s really nice. It’s kind of amazing.”

The actress has also been embracing her new role as a stepmum. She was recently seen enjoying a water fight at the birthday party of Ant’s two-year-old son, Hudson – whom he shares with ex-wife Christina Haack – and looking on adoringly while the toddler opened his presents.

Ant is also dad to Amelie, 17, and Archie, 15 – from his first marriage to Louise Herbert, to whom he was married for 12 years before their 2017 divorce.

And mental health practitioner and founder of Zenith Women, Susan Ann Hills – who coaches women in mid-life onwards to achieve their potential – says it’s common for women to feel more confident and secure in themselves after their forties.

renee zellweger jim carrey
With Jim Carrey in 1999 ©Getty Images

Susan says, “It’s not surprising that Renée has refused to gain weight. Your fifties is often a time when you reassess your priorities, and Renée isn’t going to jeopardise her health and happiness as she has worked to get to a position where she can pick and choose her roles.

“As women get older, they become more comfortable with themselves, they respect their life experience and, as a result, they choose to do only the things that make them happy. This, for Renée, seems to be prioritising her mental and physical health, as well as building a family unit with Ant and his son.”

Renée has a well-documented history of painful splits. In 2001, she nearly missed accepting her Golden Globe for best actress because she was in the toilet after being left “heartbroken” following the end of her engagement to comedian Jim Carrey. Reflecting on the trauma in an interview last year, she said, “I’d just finished Bridget Jones, I’d gone through a break-up – a heartbreaking break-up. And then it’s time to put on a dress and go and do your thing and you don’t even really feel like putting on jeans to go to the coffee shop.”

renee zellweger
She married Kenny Chesney in 2005 ©Shutterstock

Four years later, following a whirlwind relationship, Renée married country singer Kenny Chesney after just three months of dating. The marriage ended in divorce four months later, with Renée cryptically citing “fraud” in their papers.

Her 2009 romance with Bradley Cooper also saw the couple move in together and engagement rumours swirl before they split after two years, with a source saying Renée had “fought hard” for their relationship but Bradley had put his career first. She has since revealed she battled with depression in 2010 amid their romance, revealing the scrutiny of her public persona and her hectic Hollywood lifestyle had forced her to take a six-year hiatus from acting to focus on self-care.

Check out: celebrities who look different since they first found fame

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From Katie Price to Kim Kardashian, it's the most drastic plastic surgery faces - SLIDER with a cover pic

the most drastic plastic surgery face1 of 29

From Katie Price to Kim Kardashian...

Have these celebs had a little help about the face? In our opinion, hell yes! Although some of them have been coy about whether they've had surgical attention to help with their striking looks. Take a look and decide for yourself if it's all down to good genes or...not.

Sam Faiers before and after plastic surgery2 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / samanthafaiers

Sam Faiers

Since joining TOWIE back in 2010 it's safe to say Sam Faiers' look has changed over the years however the reality star has denied having any work done.Back in 2015, she spoke out about cosmetic surgery claims and wrote on Instagram: "A couple of weekly magazines have said I have had surgery, fillers & an EYE lift.. Yes apparently at 24 I have had an eye lift. "At fashion week I tried new looks with my makeup & now according to them I have had a face lift. "It's hurtful & not true!"So we've decided to leave these photos here; on the left she was 19 and on the right she's 27...

Meg Ryan before and after plastic surgery3 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Meg Ryan

Back in 1989 the fresh faced Meg Ryan appeared gorgeous however 20 years later and the actress almost looks unrecognisable. The When Harry Met Sally actress has never confirmed or denied having plastic surgery but she's previously said: "I love my age. I love my life right now. "I love the person I've become, the one I've evolved into."

Kim Kardashian before and after plastic surgery4 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kim Kardashian

She's arguably the biggest reality TV star in the world but over the years there's been a lot of speculation about plastic surgery she may have had done. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star has previously confirmed she's had botox and her baby hairs lasered off. Although she's since revealed she regrets the laser, she wrote on her website: "My forehead had all these little baby hairs, and I would always break out because of them."Every photographer would Photoshop them out anyway, and I thought I looked better without the baby hairs, but now I miss them."

Alicia Douvall before and after plastic surgery5 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Alicia Douvall

Her career kick started as a glamour model and she's since gone on to star in Celebrity Big Brother, alongside Katie Price and Katie Hopkins. However, Alicia Douvall's mainly known for having over 300 surgeries and spending an estimated £1million on it all.In an exclusive interview with Closer magazine, the reality star opened up about her toxic bum implants and has previously admitted she's had cheek and chin fillers and nose jobs.

Lindsay Lohan before and after plastic surgery6 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Lindsay Lohan

It's safe to say Lindsay Lohan looks VERY different nowadays compared to her fresh face back in 2003. The Mean Girls star revealed on Instagram that she's tried a non-surgical facial treatment however she hasn't spoken out about having any other plastic surgery.

Amanda Bynes before and after plastic surgery7 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Amanda Bynes

She's The Man actress Amanda Bynes has had a rollercoaster of a ride in the spotlight. Before she was hospitalised for mental health evaluation and confirmed she was diagnosed with bi-polar and manic depressive disorder, she confirmed she had a nose job on Twitter.She wrote: "...I had a nose job to remove skin that was like a webbing in between my eyes. I wasn't going to tell anyone, but I look so much prettier in my new photos that I don't want old photos used anymore!"

Lauren Goodger before and after plastic surgery8 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Twitter / amandabynes

Lauren Goodger

Original TOWIE member Lauren Goodger has had a complete transformation over the years. Back in 2016, the reality star infamously removed her lip fillersafter having them for five years however she's since done a U-turn and got her lip fillers back. Lauren has also admitted to having a rhinoplasty to repair her broken nose, a boob job and liposuction. She has also slammed face fillers and pleaded with girls to stop having them.

Tulisa Contostavlos before and after plastic surgery9 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Tulisa Contostavlos

After shocking fans with her transformation, N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos has admitted she's altered her face. On the Jonathan Ross show, she explained: "To clarify, I haven't had surgery. Surgery is 'going under the knife,' breaking bones, adding stuff in."I simply just had cosmetic enhancement, it's just a little bit of filler which I put a little bit in my cheeks and in my lips."

Heidi Montag before and after plastic surgery10 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Heidi Montag

The Hills star Heidi Montag has been very open and honest about plastic surgery and admitted she's had a nose job, lip injections, neck liposuction, a mini brow lift, chin reduction, botox, fillers, a boob job and bum injections.Wowza!

Donatella Versace before and after plastic surgery11 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Donatella Versace

She's a fashion designer for one of the biggest brands in the world and over the years Donatella Versace's look has changed. Back in 2013, she admitted at the Vogue Festival that she has previously had work done."I'm not like this genetically. I use tonnes of cream and take care of my hair and skin."She added she has had Botox but "only on my face".

Sharon Osbourne before and after plastic surgery12 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Sharon Osbourne

X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne is another star who has admitted to having surgery, so much so that she even joked she's on her third face.Sharon has admitted she's had face lifts, Botox and nose jobs and in her autobiography Unbreakable, she said: "There's not much I haven't had tweaked, stretched, peeled, lasered, veneered, enhanced or removed altogether. "I don't think I'm as bad as some women - like Jocelyn 'Bride of' Wildenstein. But I won't be having any more cosmetic procedures."

Katie Price before and after plastic surgery13 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Katie Price

Katie Price is one celeb who has been VERY open and honest about having surgery done; people accused her of being on drugs after she posted a bizarre video about her facelift, she then said she needs to "sort out" her plastic surgery before her agent admitted her facelift "knocked her confidence". Over the years the former glamour model has had boob jobs, a nose job, veneers, a facelift, botox, liposuction, dermal fillers and non-surgical procedures that include dermal roller micro-needling treatment and a Geneo+ facial.Wowza!

Kylie Jenner before and after plastic surgery14 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / kyliejenner

Kylie Jenner

One of the most dramatic celeb transformations is definitely Kylie Jenner. After months of speculation the KUWTK star finally admitted that she did get lip fillers when she was 17 because it was an "insecurity" of hers. However, surgeon Mark Ho-Asjoe told Closer that Kylie's face is out of proportion. He explained: "Kylie looks as though she's had too much filler in her cheeks, lips and above her eyebrows."As a result, her cheeks are now alarmingly wife and her eyes appear sunken. Her whole face appears out of proportion. She looks way beyond her years, maybe even a decade older."

Khloe Kardashian before and after plastic surgery15 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / khloekardashian

Khloe Kardashian

Another member of the Kardashian/Jenner clan who looks VERY different from when she first found fame is Khloe Kardashian. Khloe has never admitted to having lip fillers however they do appear much fuller compared to when she first graced our TV screens. The KUWTK star has admitted she's had face fillers; on the TV show Botched she explained: "It did not work for me. "I looked crazy, and I still think the effects are in there - I went to have it all dissolved like three times."She added: "My face was so f--ked I had to go and get this whole thing dissolved."It was a bummer and now I'm afraid to do it again. And I'm almost like, I swear things are still in my face."

Kris Jenner before and after plastic surgery16 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Kris Jenner

Kris Jenner - aka Momager - has always been open and honest about any surgery she's had done; so much so that she's documented it on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Over the years she's had a boob job, neck lift, a facelift earlobes cut and there's been a lot of speculation that she may have had a nose job and cheek fillers.

Chloe Ferry before and after plastic surgery17 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Chloe Ferry

Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry has openly admitted to having veneers, a nose job, teeth whitening, botox, eyebrow tattoos, chin fillers, lip fillers, cheek filler and a boob uplift. It hasn't all been easy though and in 2017 she admitted she 'couldn't breathe' after having an extreme nose job.

Charlotte Crosby before and after plastic surgery18 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / charlottegshore

Charlotte Crosby

Back in 2016, original Geordie Shore cast member Charlotte Crosby got a nose job and at the time she described it as "perfect".She's also had lip fillers, admitted she wouldn't rule out "more botox" in the future and had a boob job.

Holly Hagan before and after plastic surgery19 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / hollygshore

Holly Hagan

Following in the footsteps of her former co-star Charlotte Crosby is Holly Hagan.Not only has she changed her hair colour but Holly has dropped from a size 16 to a size 10, got lip fillers, a boob job, botox, filler in her nose, filler in her chin anda 3-D bum lift.

Sophie Kasaei before and after plastic surgery20 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / sophiekasaei_

Sophie Kasaei

Another Geordie star who has admitted to having surgery is Sophie Kasaei. She revealed in an interview with The Sun that she's had, "a breast lift, implants and lip fillers". She's also had dermal fillers injected into her chin to define her jawline and remove the loose skin.

Renu00e9e Zellweger before and after plastic surgery21 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Renée Zellweger

After a five-year break from movies no one could quite believe how different Renée Zellweger looked. However, the Bridget Jones star denied having any surgery in a letter written for Huffington Post.She wrote: "Not that it's anyone's business, but I did not make a decision to alter my face and have surgery on my eyes. "This fact is of no true import to anyone at all, but that the possibility alone was discussed among respected journalists and became a public conversation is a disconcerting illustration of news/entertainment confusion and society's fixation on physicality."

Amy Childs before and after plastic surgery22 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Amy Childs

TOWIE's Amy Childs had admitted to having a boob job, botox, lip fillers and veneers. However in an interview with Closer magazine she admitted: "I'm not planning on getting anything else done and don't think I ever will because surgery has left me with so many problems."My boobs have drooped so much now and they're so heavy. I need to wear as push-up bra - nobody told me this before I had my boobs done."

Lauren Pope before and after plastic surgery23 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / laurenpopey

Lauren Pope

TOWIE star Lauren Pope looks VERY different from when she first graced our screens in 2010. The reality tv star has admitted she's had a boob job, botox and a 'his and hers' nose job she got alongside her then boyfriend Kirk Norcross.

Chloe Sims before and after plastic surgery24 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / chloe_simsstarship

Chloe Sims

As well as having two boob jobs and a Brazilian bum lift, TOWIE's Chloe Sims has admitted to having veneers, Botox and filler. She told Now Magazine: "I've had Botox in my forehead. I've also had fillers around my mouth and in my lips and I've got a set of veneers."

Bobby Norris before and after plastic surgery25 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / bobbycnorris

Bobby Norris

Last year TOWIE fans were shocked at Bobby Norris' face and while there was lots of speculation that he had plastic surgery, the reality star quickly shut down all the rumours. Sharing a video on Twitter, he explained that he's only had a nose job: "I can assure you, categorically that I've only had one septo-rhinoplasty on my nose."I've had no other surgeries - I'm just a little bit swollen. Sorry to disappoint guys but just the one surgery and I love it."

Courteney Cox before and after plastic surgery26 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock

Courteney Cox

Friends star Courteney Cox surprised everyone in 2016 with her new err, look. The actress looked miles different and has since admitted to removing the filler in her face. She told New Beauty: "I've had all my fillers dissolved. I'm as natural as I can be. I feel better because I look like myself. I think that I now look more like the person I was."I've had to learn to embrace movement and realise that fillers are not my friend."

Georgia Kousoulou before and after plastic surgery27 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / georgiakousoulou

Georgia Kousoulou

TOWIE's Georgia Kousoulou is another reality star whose face looks very different from when she first graced our screens. The TV star has admitted to having a nose job, lip fillers and a boob job.

Chloe Khan before and after plastic surgery28 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / chloe.khan

Chloe Khan

X Factor turned Celebrity Big Brother star Chloe Khan has definitely changed over the years.The reality star has had chin filler to get rid of her dimple, two boob jobs, veneers, a Brazilian bum lift, a nose job and we can't forget the time she got her lips done but the surgery went terribly wrong.Eek!Speaking about the cosmetic surgery she has had, Chloe told Closer magazine: "I understand surgery's not for everyone, but I look a million times better after this [bum lift] procedure."I really don't care what people think."

Ferne McCann before and after plastic surgery29 of 29
CREDIT: Shutterstock & Instagram / fernemccann

Ferne McCann

After being bullied at school for her nose, former TOWIE star Ferne McCann got a nose job in 2016 and showed it off on TV.Despite fans thinking she had lip fillers while she was pregnant, Ferne's previously told Closer magazine she won't have Botox or face fillers."Everyone thinks surgery is a slippery slope and that you get addicted but, for me, my nose job was the only thing I wanted to get done."I don't know what else I would have done, even if I wanted it," she told the magazine.She added: "I'm 26 and I think Botox and fillers actually make you look older. I like expression on a face."

Closer magazine
Get the best celeb interviews in Closer magazine each week ©Closer magazine

Reflecting on her fast-paced lifestyle, she said in 2019, “You’re really unhealthy and unbalanced and, you know, about to die. And then you look back on it and wonder what happened. I wasn’t taking care of myself. I was the last thing on my list of priorities.”

In 2014, an appearance at Elle’s Women in Hollywood Awards led to speculation she’d had plastic surgery after looking drastically different – something she has never confirmed. She later admitted she had been hurt by “painful” comments and had overheard fans calling her “silly” while travelling on a train.

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Now in her fifties, Renée seems at last to have found peace. Along with filming her new series, she is said to have listed for sale her £4.4m Californian mansion – after frequently being spotted spending time near Ant’s home in Laguna Beach – sparking speculation the pair are moving in together.

Susan adds, “It seems to me that, after shooting to fame so quickly, Renée always seemed to be chasing something or someone to make her life complete.

“Now she’s in her fifties, she finally knows she has nothing to prove and has a ready-made family and thriving career – possibly as a result of her more relaxed attitude.”

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