JANE SEYMOUR

SHORTLY BEOFRE HER SHOCKING SEPARATION FROM DAVID.

When Jane Seymour held a big barbecue at her home in Bel Air to celebrate her 40th birthday, none of the guests would have imagined that her ten-year marriage to David Flynn was about to break up.

Surrounded by David, their children Katie, 9, and Sean, 6, her sisters, her mother and a large gathering of close friends, Jane seemed as happy as she has ever been.

But shortly after, her agent confirmed that the couple had amicably agreed to a trial separation. Reportedly, the split came after Jane suddenly discovered that her businessman husband had been found in possession of cocaine two years ago and had never told her about it.

David, 41, is Jane’s third husband – she was first married to Richard Attenborough’s son Michael and later to his friend Geoffrey Planer – and their marriage in particular seemed to be made in heaven and destined to last forever.

Perhaps they are still in time to sort their problems out. But, as she tells us in the following interview carried out on her birthday, Jane has learned one thing – that “perfect love doesn'’t exist.”

Jane, unlike so many actresses who are coy about their age, you have just become 40 and don’t mind revealing it.

“Age has never been a problem for me. My life is more fulfilling every day and I’ve never felt better. Age is a mental, not a physical thing.”

How old do you feel?

“Eight! I love life. I’m open and honest. Lying about my age would go against my principals. I hope never to be worried about my appearance. All I care about is truth!”

Where do you get your energy from?

“I was born with it. I’ve always been strong. I’m a survivor – and that’s useful in my profession. I receive blows and I can always pick myself up afterwards. But the secret really lies in trying to do your best every day in whatever you have to do.”

Now that you are 40, what are your priorities in life?

“My children, my health and my career.”

You put your career last?

“My work has always been my passion. But whenever I have to make a decision regarding work, I will try to consider whether that decision will affect my family. If it does, I put my family first.”

Everything seems to go very well for you now, work, family, love…

“Perfect love doesn’t exist and I understand this. One is always alone, even if surrounded by people. Now that I’m older, I realize that to be happy and comfortable with others one has to be happy with oneself. Only that way can you make good things come to you. This is what makes us grow, and we must accept the fact as one of life’s gifts.”

What else have you learned from life that you didn’t know when you were 20?

“To be more flexible. When I was 20, I had fixed opinions about everything. But life is full of surprises. Everything can change in a fraction of a second and all our convictions can be blown to bits.”

Isn’t age a disadvantage for an actress?

“I’m not scared of wrinkles. Inner beauty is what matters – what you have inside.”

All beautiful women say the same. Who do you consider particularly beautiful?

“Mother Theresa. She radiates inner beauty. Believe me, it’s a beauty that has nothing to do with face lifts or a new haircut.”

Who would you say was your ideal woman?

“My mother. She’s 76. She doesn’t go to the hairdresser and she doesn’t wear make-up. She’s full of charm – a charm that goes beyond extra pounds and white hair.”

Do you still take a lot of care of yourself – you still have the figure of a young girl?

“When I have time. I do try to find some time for myself everyday – for tennis or for walking.”

You’re always busy. What do you call having nothing to do?

“Listening to music by the seaside and sketching. The only time I do nothing is when I’m asleep!”

Apart from your work, do you have any passion in life?

“Painting. I paint for myself, although some of my paintings were sold recently here in America. I also do some charity work – I am the international ambassador for Childhelp USA, which helps badly treated children in America and Britain. Also, I’ve recently become involved with a new association, City Hearts Performing Arts which teaches dance, music and painting to homeless children and children whose parents are in prison. Basically, children who haven’t had the fortune of someone to take car of them.”

What makes you most proud?

“My children, my family. And making things happen, because whenever I do something, I put my all into it.”

Do you feel that there is anything missing at all in your life at this moment?

“Yes. I love working with stage directors and touring in Britain.”

Do you ever wonder what you will be doing in 20 years time?

“I don’t even think of what I’ll be doing in five minutes time. I live in the present – that’s my secret. But seriously, be it writing, painting, acting or decorating a house, I know that I’ll be creating until my last day.”

INTERVIEW : VANESSA DE CLARK
PHOTOS: OLIVIA DE MEGEVE.

HELLO MAGAZINE ; ISSUE 145, MARCH 23RD 1991.