Natascha Ochsenknecht, 56, is a designer, author, mother and recently also the grandmother of little Mavie. A few weeks ago, her daughter Cheyenne Ochsenknecht, 20, gave birth to her first child. Grandchild number two is already in the starting blocks, because son Jimi Blue Ochsenknecht, 29, and his girlfriend Yeliz Koc, 27, are also expecting children.
For Natascha, her new job as a somewhat funky granny is by no means a reason to put her feet up. The 56-year-old is not only working on a new fashion collection and will soon be launching her own web show with celebrity guests on Instagram, but is also presenting herself again in the live talk for the second season of the dating reality show "M.O.M" on Joyn Question: Who is more convincing among the 14 single women? The elegant senior or the adventurous junior?
There is probably no one better suited than Natascha to get to the bottom of this topic. The former model is also known to have had experience with both age groups in relationships in the past. Her husband and father of her children Uwe Ochsenknecht, 65, was over eight years older, her future partner Umut Kekilli, 37, almost 20 years younger and her subsequent boyfriend Oliver Schumann, 50, six years younger.
Natascha Ochsenknecht: "Age doesn't really matter"
GALA: Natascha, you yourself have had relationships with both older and younger men. What is your conclusion?
Natascha Ochsenknecht: That in the end age doesn't matter in a partnership. Either the chemistry is right or it isn't. There are enough older people who are very young in mind. My mother, for example, is now 81 and still hopping around like a young deer. She goes dancing, has many younger friends and enjoys life.
And then again there are people who seem older. For example, I have a friend who sometimes acts like a 77-year-old and hardly leaves the house. (laughs)
Nevertheless, after breaking up with your last partner, you said that you would like to have someone the same age.
Yes. I would like to have a partner of the same age with whom you can take certain steps in life together. It touches me a lot when I see that couples have been together for decades and also grow old together. I think it's nice when you've experienced the same decades and can exchange ideas. That sounds cheesy, of course, but you're sitting under the apple tree and the grandchildren are playing around you. I would wish that for myself too.
But I'm not completely ruling out my next partner being younger or older again. It's important that you have the same basis, the same goals in life, then old age really doesn't matter.
The same base means what exactly to you?
I have a lot of energy. It was even the case that I had to get younger partners to keep up with me. That didn't always work. Well, it would definitely be too exhausting for me if an older partner just wanted to sit at home.
In the same way, it wouldn't be for me if a younger guy just wanted to party all the time. It's all in the mix. I need someone who is on the same wavelength as me, who likes to be on the go, but who also enjoys being at home.
Unfortunately, during the corona crisis, it has become very difficult to get to know someone, hasn't it?
Of course, at the moment there is hardly a chance that you will meet in a café and flirt with each other. But to be honest, I don't really feel the need to get to know anyone at the moment. There are men who are interested in me right now. But so far the right one hasn't been there. I would be willing to get to know someone better if they really blow my mind. I wasn't that a few months ago. But I'm really enjoying being single right now. The kids are out of the house and I finally have time for myself.
"I'm generally exotic"
Do you feel older since you were a grandma?
No, absolutely not. Anyway, I feel like I've stayed the same over the last few years, at least as far as my style is concerned. I'm generally exotic. I've never cared about what others think of me. As long as my kids don't complain about my extravagance, I'm fine. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Cheyenne always tells me to dress more sexy. (laughs)
How would you describe yourself as a grandma? Are you more generous with grandchildren than with your own children?
Nope. I have the same values for my grandchildren as I have for my children. I attach great importance to tolerance, respect for other people, table manners and politeness. My kids do that too. Of course there was also pizza in bed in front of the TV.
Do you feel like you have an even greater responsibility with the grandchildren?
Yes, yes. Cheyenne went shopping once, I took care of the little one and suddenly I realized: I actually have more responsibility because this is my daughter's child. If something were to happen, I hope that I deal with it on her terms.
"If Cheyenne wants my advice, I'll give it to her"
Do you give Cheyenne tips on parenting?
If my daughter wants my advice, I'm happy to give it to her. But I would never just interfere on my own. I trust Cheyenne and Nino a lot, they're doing great.
Cheyenne and Nino live in Graz with their daughter Mavie. Jimi and Yeliz are now also moving from Berlin to Hanover. How big is the pain of separation?
Of course we can't meet spontaneously for coffee or lunch anymore, but they're not out of the world. The distance is manageable. The good thing is, I have a BahnCard, it's running hot right now. (laughs) Also, I originally come from near Hanover. I grew up in a small village there. This means that when I go to Jimi and Yeliz's, I can also visit my aunt and my school friends. Wilson and I are now the only aliens in Berlin.
Speaking of Wilson. He is the eldest but doesn't want any offspring yet?
Wilson is concentrating on his career right now. In addition, he still lacks the right woman.
Yeliz suffers from hyperemesis gravidarum, i.e. extreme nausea during pregnancy. is there any way you can help her
Of course I'm there for Jimi and Yeliz if they need me. But otherwise I can hardly help Yeliz. She's struggling through this and I'm incredibly sorry. That's really bad. You would really like to look forward to your child without restriction, but then you have to throw up again.
"M.O.M" – every Thursday from May 13, 2021 on Joyn PLUS+. The first Insta Live Talk with Natascha Ochsenknecht can be seen on May 14, 2021 on the Instagram channel for the @mom.joyn show.
Sources used: own InterviewGala
