Richard Wilkins shared a glimpse into his colorful family life as he wished his rarely-seen daughter Estella a happy 18th birthday.
And while her half-brother Christian, 26, is no stranger to tabloid headlines, Estella has preferred to stay out of the public eye.
Estella is the only daughter shared by Richard and his former lover, fashion and interior designer Collette Dinnigan.
Inside the life of entertainment guru Richard Wilkins (right) and fashion designer Collette Dinnigan’s 18-year-old daughter Estella
The teenager, who goes by the double barrel surname Wilkins-Dinnigan, grew up in the New South Wales Southern Highlands and attends a prestigious private girls school in the area.
She is known for her love of horses, having won several awards in show-jumping competitions over the years.
The Year 12 student is also Vice Captain of Equestrian at her school.
Estella is the only daughter shared by Richard and his former lover, fashion and interior designer Collette Dinnigan. The couple are pictured together in 2003
The teenager, who goes by the double barrel surname Wilkins-Dinnigan, grew up in New South Wales’ Southern Highlands and attends a prestigious private girls school in the area
While Estella has never given an interview, her social media pages indicate she is a popular student who shares a close bond with her half-siblings.
She has four half-siblings on her father’s side (Adam, Christian, Nick and Rebecca) and a half-brother on her mother’s side named Hunter.
Richard shares his five children with four different mothers, while Collette shares Hunter with her current husband Bradley Cooks.
While her half-brother Christian, 26, (left, with Richard) is no stranger to tabloid headlines, Estella has preferred to stay out of the public eye
She is known for her love of horses, having won several awards in show-jumping competitions over the years. She is pictured competing in an equestrian show
While Estella has never given an interview, her social media pages indicate she is a popular student who shares a close bond with her half-siblings
Estelle made a brief appearance in the headlines back in 2020, when Sydney Confidential reported many of her fellow students had signed a petition calling for her not to move schools.
Collette had reportedly decided to transfer her daughter to New England Girls’ School (NEGS), a private school at Armidale that offered a unique equestrian center where students can take their horses.
Estella’s school pals apparently rallied behind her by signing a petition to campaign for the youngster, who was in Year 9 at the time, to remain at the school.
Richard has five children to four different mothers: sons Adam, Christian and Nick, and daughters Rebecca and Estella. He is pictured here with his sons
Estella (far right) is pictured earlier this year at a star-studded party. L-R: Modeling agent Martin Walsh, his MasterChef star wife Michelle Walsh, politician Julie Bishop and ex-partner David Panton, Christian Wilkins, Richard Wilkins and Richard’s girlfriend Nicola Dale
‘If she went to NEGS Collette would not have to worry about getting Estelle out of school to see her horse, which she has to do (currently),’ an insider alleged at the time.
It is believed the Collette decided not to transfer Estelle to NEGS after all.
Richard and Collette began dating in the early 2000s before calling it quits in 2004 – just months before Collette was due to give birth to Estelle.
Richard and Collette (pictured) began dating in the early 2000s before calling it quits in 2004 – just months before Collette was due to give birth to Estelle
In 2015, Collette spoke about co-parenting with Richard, Telling Daily Mail Australia: ‘I think for all children the most important thing is to know they are loved by both parents and that they are a priority in each of our lives, and that’s the case’. Collette is pictured on Celebrity MasterChef 2021
The breakdown of Collette and Richard’s relationship made headlines in 2004 when the Sydney Morning Herald reported that in the wake of their ‘increasingly irreconcilable relationship’ the couple’s $4.1 million Paddington home was signed over to Dinnigan.
Richard is now in a relationship with Nicola Dale.
In 2015, Collette spoke about co-parenting with Richard, telling Daily Mail Australia: ‘I think for all children the most important thing is to know they are loved by both parents and that they are a priority in each of our lives, and that’s the case.
‘There’s no right or wrong way, as long as your priorities are right.’
Richard shared this rare childhood photo of Estella on Tuesday while wishing her a happy 18th birthday
On Tuesday, Richard shared a series of rarely seen photos of Estella on Instagram, writing: ‘Quite the milestone today as my magnificent daughter Estella turns 18!’
‘Happy Birthday my darling. So proud to be your dad and so excited for what the future holds for you,’ he added.
Making reference to her love of horses, I have finished: ‘The stirrups of the world are at your feet !! All my love xx.’
‘Happy Birthday my darling. So proud to be your dad and so excited for what the future holds for you’ he added in his sweet message
.