Home

TV presenter Todd Sampson tells Anh Do how he found out his cousin was his sister

Headshot of Lily Hoffmann
Lily HoffmannThe West Australian
CommentsComments
Todd Sampson
Camera IconTodd Sampson

TV personality Todd Sampson has revealed how he discovered his cousin was his sister.

Speaking with host Anh Do on his show Brush With Fame, Sampson candidly confessed that his mother gave up her first child — Wendy — to her sister.

Sampson’s mother was raised in Canada in a religious town, moved out of home and quickly fell pregnant at age 15 to a man that is not Sampson’s biological father.

Sampson’s mother then gave birth in a convent, “in a room by herself”.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“She was basically told she had to give up the child,” Sampson revealed.

“She gave up the child to her sister — and she was raised as my cousin.

“(It was) the biggest regret of my mother’s life.”

Todd Sampson’s mother
Camera IconTodd Sampson’s mother Credit: ABC

Sampson discovered the long held family secret by recording his parents conversations as a young child.

“I was such an investigative kid, also known as a little s**t,” he joked.

“I got a recorder for Christmas and just before I’d go to bed, I would hit record under the sofa where my parents were, then go off to sleep.

“The next day I would go with my friend Herby and listen to the recording. That day, I’m listening to the recording with Herby and I’m like, ‘wait now, did they just say that Wendy’s my sister?’.”

Todd Sampson sits for his potrait on Brush With Fame
Camera IconTodd Sampson sits for his potrait on Brush With Fame Credit: ABC

Sampson said that after listening to his recording — where his parents debate over whether they should tell the two siblings the truth — he decided to confront his parents himself.

“I remember her face, it was just shock and relief,” he recalled.

“It was only as an adult, many many years later, that I reconnected with her as my older sister.

“Now I’m super proud that she’s my sister, and all that she’s done in her life.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails