Who is Gemma Owen’s mum Louise and how did she meet husband Michael Owen?-Elizabeth Atkin-Entertainment – Metro

Gemma’s mum has supported her daughter’s choice to enter the villa (Pictures: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty/ITV)

Love Island 2022 star Gemma Owen’s appearance on the show has put her ex-England footballer dad, Michael Owen, back in the spotlight.

Pre-villa, Michael quipped that his eldest Gemma going into the famed Majorcan villa was ‘probably a father’s worst nightmare’, but said he would support her in the villa.

And it didn’t take long for her fellow Islanders to find out about her family fame, supposedly days after her arrival.

Of course, there’s also Gemma’s mum, Louise Owen, who supportively wrote to her daughter on Instagram not long ago: ‘No words can describe how proud I am of you and what exciting times ahead for you! ❤️🥰’

Louise is heading into the villa on Sunday night’s show for the annual Meet The Parents episode – although she won’t be accompanied by her more famous husband.

But just who is Louise? Here’s what we know.

Who is Louise Owen?

Louise is mum to four children – including Love Island’s Gemma Owen, pictured as a young child (Picture: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty)

Louise Owen, maiden name Bonsall, is a mum of four and a keen equestrian.

Louise first met Michael Owen when they were pupils at the same primary school, and later became loved-up while attending Hawarden High School in Wales.

The couple reportedly got engaged in 2004 on Valentine’s Day – which happens to be her birthday – and married on June 24, 2005, said the BBC at the time. Their wedding venue was believed to be Carden Park Hotel in Chester.

Louise keeps things pretty private, though she does have a public Instagram account where she shares snaps of her four children: Gemma, 19, James, 16, Emily, 14 and Jessica, 12.

She also posts the odd photo from holidays abroad to glitzy destinations such as Dubai and Ibiza.

Michael and Louise Owen met in primary school, reports say (Picture: David M. Benett/Getty/ Kent and Curwen)

One thing we do know for sure is that Louise loves horses, and in particular rescuing retired racehorses.

She founded Manor House Stables in Cheshire around 2007, later expanding in 2009, along with husband Michael.

Louise has long been an ambassador for the British Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre, ensuring horses have good lives after their time as racehorses comes to an end.

In January 2004, Louise made headlines after experiencing a terrifying horse riding accident. She was 23 at the time, and Gemma was an eight-month-old baby.

Louise was thrown off her horse Isabelle at her then-home in Flintshire, Wales, reports said at the time, and fractured her pelvis.

She required weeks of care at the Countess of Chester Hospital, but is believed to have made a full recovery.

Her horse riding passion began when she was just aged seven, she told the Daily Mail in 2008 – and her first horse was a Welsh cob called Rolo, who she got aged 14.

‘My brother Andrew and I had riding lessons at the weekends,’ she explained.

‘That’s where the passion grew. It quickly fizzled out for Andrew but I really enjoyed it. I started spending the weekend at the riding school, helping around the yard, and then I started exercising friends’ horses for them.’

Louise’s love of horses has clearly passed down to some of her children, as Love Islander Gemma competes in dressage competitions.

Love Island 2022 continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and the ITV Hub.

MORE : Love Island fans delighted as Gemma Owen finally mentions famous dad Michael Owen

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