Ksenija Lukich On Motherhood And Redefining Success

Ksenija Lukich was just 24 years old when she graced our television screens for the first time. As the fresh face of E! Australia, the former model swiftly became the nation’s new darling. From Los Angeles to Sydney, the entertainment reporter takes every red carpet in her stride, effortlessly brushing shoulders with the world’s starriest names.

But Ksenija always had even greater aspirations – of one day starting her own family. We visited the mother-of-two at her home to talk parenthood, success, and the art of finding joy in everyday moments.

When we sat down with Ksenija, she and longtime partner Dan, parents to two-year-old Mimi, were anticipating the arrival of their second child: a son named Max.  

As a second-generation Serbian, family is at the heart of Ksenija’s earliest childhood memories. Growing up on the Northern Beaches, her home was always filled with love, from her grandparents and two brothers to cousins who felt more like sisters.

“I always thought there was a lot of purpose to being a mother,” Ksenija tells The Inarra. “Children bring so much joy to your life and it’s definitely something I always yearned to be.” 

But the journey towards parenthood wasn’t easy. After struggling to conceive naturally, the couple underwent IVF during the Covid-19 pandemic – something Ksenija has spoken candidly about on social media. 

“IVF remains one of the most challenging and emotional experiences that Dan and I have been through as a couple,” she reflects. “Women who undergo IVF are warriors and I really respect those who are brave and strong enough to speak openly about it whilst in the thick of it all.” 

“All I will say is that you never know what someone is going through, so tread gently and always be kind.”

Ksenija fell pregnant after the first embryo transfer, a moment the couple will never forget. “I couldn’t even look at the pregnancy test, Dan had to check it for me,” Ksenija recalls. “I just couldn’t believe it.”  

The experience had a profound influence on the 33-year-old’s outlook on life, most notably in the world of work. Since becoming a parent, Ksenija has stepped out of the spotlight to spend more time with her family.

“As I get older, success looks a lot simpler. There’s a lot of pressure on parents to be super successful, whether that’s being a top-tier CEO or owning a business,” she says. “But there’s no shame in just being a really wonderful mother.”

“The love that your children have for you is beautiful. Watching our daughter Mimi grow over the last two years has been incredibly special. Just seeing her pick up the smallest of things and be so in awe of them. There’s so much discovery within her… I mean, how exciting is that?”

Taking inspiration from her two children, Ksenija has also begun seeking happiness in everyday moments. From guilt-free naps on the sofa to home cooking, self-care may look a little different since becoming a mum, but she wouldn’t change it for the world. 

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned from motherhood is that everything is temporary. Your baby will eventually fall asleep – and so will you. Each stage is so different, and I think that’s the beauty to be taken away from it all.” 

By her second pregnancy, Ksenija had also mastered another hurdle: the maternity wardrobe. 

“I find pregnancy dressing really, really difficult. I’ve struggled with my changing body, and what would usually be my go-tos, like high-waisted jeans or a skirt and a cute top, don’t work.”

But the new mum has a sartorial strategy, naming Matteau, Camilla and Marc, and Dissh as her failsafe brands.

“The three questions I always ask myself when purchasing a pregnancy item are: Does it fit in with my current wardrobe style? Will I wear it after my pregnancy? And, will it be breastfeeding-friendly? If I can answer yes to two or three of those questions, then it’s a winner!”

Maternity leave has given Ksenija time to reflect on her career. For the last decade, she has travelled the world covering prestigious movie premieres and ceremonies such as the Golden Globes and The People’s Choice Awards – what she describes as ‘pinch-me moments’. 

“As a girl from the Northern Beaches, being on the red carpet was a very cool experience. But at the end of the day, what I really loved were the special interviews where I made a strong connection with the person on the other end of the microphone. Connecting on that level and being vulnerable is magic.”

Ksenija is now looking forward to returning to work with new projects in the pipeline and we can’t wait to see what she does next.

“It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been on a red carpet as I have taken time off to make humans,” she says. “But I’m working on some things at the moment that I’m really excited about.”

“There’s always going to be mum guilt, but that’s also a sign that you’re just trying your best.”

By Danielle Fowler