Bob Geldof wants to adopt and change the last name of Michael Hutchence's daughter who he has been the guardian of since his ex-wife died.

SMH story

Personally, I think he should be dealing with the first name before worrying about the last name ....

I've always wondered why Michael Hutchence's family don't have custody of Tiger Lily. Every story I've ever read (not that there's been many), his (Hutchence's) family seem to be quite critical of Sir Bob, yet surely they would have just as strong a 'claim' to the young lass as Sir Bob?

Have they fought (and been unsuccessful) for custody? Or is it easier to sit back and throw stones?

Any clues?

Has anyone asked Tiger what she wants her last name to be? She's 10, I'm sure she'll have an idea of her own.

I think they did try for custody but it was decided she would be better off with her siblings. Just messy, really.

It's a shame to say it, but I firmly believe that that dear little girl never, ever, had a shot at a normal life.

With both celebrity parents dead by their own hands (be it intentional or unintentional, it doesn't change the fact that they did it to themselves), the wee tacker already had two strikes.

At least she's got big sisters who love, protect and care for her, and Sir Bob obviously loves her as if she were his own. What more could any child want, really?

When it is all said and done, it's only a name. Some women change theirs more times in their lives than others change their hair-styles. Family, irrespective of name, is in your heart.

Quote:

---

why Michael Hutchence's family don't have custody of Tiger Lily

---

Well, if you can believe everything you read in the newspaper and magazines (and I know that's a big IF), I think it is just as well that Michael's family doesn't have custody. After reading interviews with his mother, I formed the impression that she is a selfish person, the type who would put her own wants and needs ahead of Tiger's best interests. As far as I am aware, she's the only one who has been fighting Bob for custody.

Hutchence or Geldof, I'm sure she could live with either. Even Tiger Lily isn't bad - but 'Heavenly Hiraani'

I've no idea how Geldof would be as a dad, I really hope he's a good one for her sake but he certainly gets my kudoes for taking on the responsibility. Some people like knocking the celebrities for such adoptions but I find it heart warming and inspiring, good for them! May they have blessings in heaven and earth and I hope it works out well for all of them.

As I remember Hutchence's sister Tina originally wanted custody of Tiger Lily. She was in her fifties when the child was orphaned, with a grown up family. It always seemed healthier to me that she stayed with her sisters after such a rotten start in life. I believe she conceded this.

No-one really knows what really goes on in the lives of others, but Tina Hutchence always struck me as a bit of a publicity seeker. Saying that the child is being forced to change her name seems a bit OTT - I wonder whether Tiger Lily just wants the same name as her sisters.

I don't know about the comments regarding contact with the Hutchence family - after all both families live on three different continents. Geldorf isn't likely to send a young child unaccompanied to visit a virtually unknown elderly lady on the other side of the world. That's a situation where arranging "access" visits must be a logistical nightmare.

Whew! I thought I was going senile or something... because when I read this string, it was all gibberish to me! So,I had to go a-wiki-ing, and find out who all these people were. Upon closer inspection, I see that all responders here are UK, Australia, and Israel, so that would account for my never having heard of any of these people? That and the fact that I also have no knowledge of anybody that might have ties to the world of "rock music," be it European or American!

Upon researching, I have discovered some very strange facts. At least, according to Wikipedia, they are facts... I thought there might be others who were somewhat like me, and had no idea of what this string was about...

Principal Players:
Robert Frederick Xenon Geldof aka "Bob" Geldof, an Irish "singer, songwriter, actor, and political activist."
Paula Yates a Welsh TV host, who was with Bob Geldof from 1976 to 1995, and had 3 daughters with him.

1st Daughter: Fifi Trixibelle born March 31, 1983
2nd Daughter: Peaches Honeyblossom Michelle Charlotte Angel Vanessa Geldof born March 16, 1989
3rd Daughter: Little Pixie Geldof born September 17, 1990.

Michael Hutchence an Australian rocker with INXS who Paula Yates left Bob Geldof for...

And last but not least:
Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence, the daughter of Michael Hutchence and Paula Yates, born July 22, 1996.

Apparently, there were messy custody battles involving the first three daughters, and then Hutchence died "by his own hand" in either a suicide, or other "unusual circustances..." in November of 1997. Paula Yates died of a drug overdose in September of 2000, after having many struggles following Hutchence's death. At that point, Geldof became legal guardian of "Tiger Lily" apparently with the approval of Yates' parents.

All in all, I found the story fascinating, filled with tremendous tragedy and pathos. But concerning the names... It seems the only one with a "normal" name was Paula Yates herself, who it turns out, wasn't even a "Yates" as she believed her father to have been Jess Yates, an ITV religious program host... but it turns out her father was actually Hughie Green, a quiz show host!

I'm telling you... you just cannot make these things up!

Excellent research, redwood.

Although, the players and bands involved are of the international fame variety...it was probably more the 'no ties to the world of rock music' part that did you in.

Yes, it's been a rather soap opera-y situation. My sympathies have always come down on the side of Geldof. He's always struck me as pretty level-headed, for a rock star at least. I think Tiger Lily will be fine. And at her age I would imagine the name change would be,if not of her own doing, then at least with her agreement.

LOL! Sadly, I have to agree about the "no knowledge of anybody that might have ties to the world of rock music" part, and if you saw my scores everytime I run into a quiz regarding Music, it would absolutely confirm it! International you say, eh? I guess I'm sadly lacking in the international department...

I live in the US and am very familiar with the names of all parties involved. As a teen I grew up on Boomtown Rats and INXS and I remember the day Michael Hutchence died, and thinking how awful for him and for the rest of his extended family. Bob Geldof was probably just trying to do right by his stepdaughter and raise her with her sisters and should be commended for it. As a child, Tiger Lily needs to be where she is loved and with those that she trusts. It's the least she should have considering her tragic circumstances. The whole story is heartbreaking for all involved.