Kirsty & Jesse ‘WE WEREN'T HOMELESS, BUT WE STRUGGLED'

The Block stars share their tough start with Woman’s Day

- Olivia O’Brien

Growing up in the New South Wales country town of Kurri Kurri, The Block Australia’s Kirsty Lee Akers and Jesse Anderson never dreamt they’d ever set foot in a luxury home in a posh Melbourne suburb – let alone be designing and building one!

“Jesse and I both come from very humble beginnings,” Kirsty tells Woman’s Day. “My parents were only teenagers when they had me, so it was always going to be a situation of growing up tough.

“We weren’t homeless or anything like that, but as a kid, I definitely knew my parents were struggling with money. It makes me appreciate these opportunities we’re given.”

PROUD FAMILY

Husband Jesse, 32, gets emotional about how far Kirsty’s come since he first met her in primary school, before the pair started dating at 16.

“I’m just so proud of what she’s managed to achieve,” he shares. “There are a lot of people in similar positions who never get out of the rut.”