If you know Emma Willis from her warm voice on Heart FM or presenting The Voice UK, you might be surprised to learn she’s spent the last few years on a maternity ward, training for a role far from the studio lights. The 48-year-old broadcaster, married to singer Matt Willis since 2008, has three children and is now pursuing a qualification as a maternity support worker — a shift that’s as personal as it is professional.
Full name: Emma Louise Willis (née Griffiths) ·
Born: 18 March 1976 ·
Spouse: Matt Willis (m. 2008) ·
Children: 3 (Isabelle, Ace, Trixie) ·
Known for: Broadcasting, The Voice UK, Delivering Babies
Quick snapshot
- Exact university she is studying at for her midwifery conversion
- Whether she will leave broadcasting permanently after completing training
- Expected completion of maternity support worker qualification
- Potential continuation of Delivering Babies series on U
Six key facts, one pattern: Emma Willis’s life sits at the intersection of public entertainment and private vocation — and the numbers show a steady, deliberate move toward the latter.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Emma Louise Willis (née Griffiths) |
| Date of birth | 18 March 1976 |
| Place of birth | Birmingham, West Midlands, UK |
| Spouse | Matt Willis (m. 2008) |
| Children | 3 (Isabelle, Ace, Trixie) |
| Occupation | Broadcaster, former model, maternity care assistant (in training) |
How many children does Emma Willis have?
Emma Willis has three children with her husband, musician Matt Willis. The pair welcomed their eldest, Isabelle Catherine, on 20 June 2009 (IMDb bio). Their second child, Ace Billy, was born on 26 November 2011 (IMDb bio), and their youngest, Trixie Grace, arrived on 4 May 2016 (IMDb bio).
Emma Willis children with Matt Willis
- Isabelle Catherine Willis (b. 2009) (IMDb bio)
- Ace Billy Willis (b. 2011) (IMDb bio)
- Trixie Grace Willis (b. 2016) (IMDb bio)
The implication: Emma Willis’s family life is a key part of her public identity, but her career trajectory is equally defined by her shift into healthcare.
How old was Emma Willis when she had her first baby?
Emma Willis gave birth to her first child, Isabelle, on 20 June 2009, when she was 33 years old (born 18 March 1976). That puts her first-time motherhood later than the UK average, but in line with many women in the public eye who prioritise early career development.
Age at first pregnancy
- Mother’s age at Isabelle’s birth: 33 years, 3 months
- Age at Ace’s birth: 35 years, 8 months
- Age at Trixie’s birth: 40 years, 1 month
The catch: Willis’s later-in-life children contrast with her early start in modelling at 15, but align with the career-first pattern of many UK broadcasters.
Is Emma Willis actually a midwife?
Not yet — but she is on the path. Emma Willis qualified as a maternity care assistant in August 2019 after nearly 400 hours of training on a maternity unit (Wikipedia). The BBC reported in September 2024 that she aimed to become a fully qualified maternity support worker (BBC News). Her documentary series Delivering Babies on U has followed every step of that journey.
Emma Willis training as a midwife
- 2019: Qualified as maternity care assistant after 10 weeks at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Essex (YouTube)
- Almost 400 hours of placement work completed (YouTube)
- 2024: Fourth series filmed at Watford General Hospital (BBC News)
- Described the role as a “childhood dream” (YouTube)
Emma Willis is not a registered midwife, but her hands-on training and public commitment signal a genuine career pivot. For NHS maternity services, her visibility could help normalise the role of maternity support workers.
The pattern: Willis’s journey from broadcaster to maternity care assistant shows a deliberate move toward a vocation that blends her personal experience with professional training.
Timeline
- 1976: Born in Birmingham, West Midlands. (Wikipedia)
- 2007: Began modelling at age 15 (Wikipedia)
- 2008: Married Matt Willis on 5 July (IMDb)
- 2009: Birth of first child, Isabelle Catherine. (IMDb bio)
- 2011: Birth of son Ace Billy. (IMDb bio)
- 2016: Birth of daughter Trixie Grace. (IMDb bio)
- 2019: Qualified as a maternity care assistant (Wikipedia)
- 2021: Completed St John Ambulance vaccination training with husband (Wikipedia)
- 2024: Fourth Delivering Babies series filmed at Watford General Hospital (BBC News)
What this means: Emma Willis’s timeline reveals a consistent pattern of career reinvention and family focus.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Emma Willis born 18 March 1976 in Birmingham (Wikipedia)
- Married to Matt Willis since 2008 (IMDb)
- Three biological children (IMDb bio)
- Qualified maternity care assistant since 2019 (Wikipedia)
- Currently training toward maternity support worker qualification (BBC News)
What’s unclear
- Exact university or institution for her midwifery conversion course
- Whether she will leave broadcasting permanently after qualifying
- Timeline for completing the maternity support worker certification
The catch: While many facts are confirmed, some details about her education and future plans remain unclear.
Quotes
“It’s been a childhood dream, so to finally do it is amazing.”
— Emma Willis, speaking about her maternity care training (YouTube)
Emma Willis told BBC News that she wants to become a qualified maternity support worker, describing the role as one that makes a real difference.
Emma Willis is using her platform to highlight the value of maternity support roles in the UK, where the NHS faces staffing shortages. Her personal transition from celebrity to caregiver challenges assumptions about what public figures can pursue seriously.
The implication: These quotes underscore Willis’s genuine commitment to her new career path.
Summary
Emma Willis has quietly built a second act that few in the entertainment world attempt. By swapping studio microphones for hospital scrubs, she is demonstrating that career reinvention later in life is possible — and that the skills learned on screen (patience, empathy, communication) translate directly into patient care. For the NHS maternity workforce, her visibility could help normalise and promote the role of maternity support workers as a credible, valued career path. For Willis herself, the choice is clear: finish the training, continue to advocate, and let the next chapter speak louder than any ratings.
tvinsider.com, instagram.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, instagram.com, famousbirthdays.com, actualidadmadrid.com
For a detailed overview of her life and career, check out the comprehensive Emma Willis biography covering her television work, marriage, and children.
Frequently asked questions
How many children does Emma Willis have with Matt Willis?
Three: Isabelle Catherine (b. 2009), Ace Billy (b. 2011), and Trixie Grace (b. 2016).
What is Emma Willis’s date of birth?
18 March 1976.
Is Emma Willis still married to Matt Willis?
Yes, they married on 5 July 2008 and are still together.
What TV shows has Emma Willis hosted?
She is best known for presenting The Voice UK, Big Brother (Channel 5), and has worked for BBC, ITV, and Heart FM.
Why is Emma Willis training to be a midwife?
She describes it as a childhood dream and has been working toward a maternity support worker qualification since 2019, documented in her series Delivering Babies.
How old is Emma Willis?
She was born 18 March 1976, making her 49 years old as of early 2025.
What is Emma Willis’s real name?
Emma Louise Willis, née Griffiths.
The upshot: This FAQ provides quick answers to common questions about Emma Willis’s life and career.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.