Harry Jowsey opens up about losing his father - and the emotional reason he's ready to settle down
Having earned a reputation as one of reality TV’s bad boys, on shows such as Too Hot To Handle and Perfect Match, self-identifying ‘naughty possum’ Harry Jowsey is now ready to shed that title and earn himself a new one. Specifically, the title of husband.
Let’s Marry Harry has dropped on Netflix, following the Aussie-born reality star as he dates a roster of 20 eligible bachelorettes in the hopes that one of them might be his future wife. Along the way, he’ll be guided by executive producer Alex Cooper, as well as his three chosen confidants: honorary brother Sonny Henty, ex-girlfriend Georgia Hassarati, and best friend Amanda Kloots.
He's a man who has spent his time in the spotlight living his wildest life (or so his dating history suggests), so many might wonder why exactly the 29-year-old has decided to settle down. He told Netflix’s Tudum that he’s done with the public breakups and wants to spend his Sundays ‘wandering farmer’s markets with his forever person'.
One event in Harry’s life, far away from all the online drama, may have spurred this shift. In December 2024, Harry’s father Paul Jowsey passed away – something he noted has changed the way he thinks about his future. Harry told Tudum that grieving his father highlighted just how much he wants to find someone to settle down and start a family with.
The Let's Marry Harry star explained, ’That really kind of reroutes anyone. The harder thing is, I was sitting there with him in those final days recording stuff for my kids in the future.’ Watching his sisters grow their own family also played on his mind. ‘It really made me take that step back and go, wow, I should probably put a little bit more effort into this and a little bit more understanding.’
In December 2024, Harry announced that his father, Paul Jowsey, had passed away. Sharing the news on Instagram alongside family photos, the reality star wrote, ‘I love you, Dad, I miss you. I’ll catch you on the other side.’
While he didn’t initially share details of his father’s death, the Let’s Marry Harry star later opened up about Paul's passing during an episode of his Boyfriend Material podcast. While his father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and given just months to live, he actually died from assisted death - which has been legal in New Zealand, where his father lived, since 2021.
‘It might give someone maybe some food for thought or some peace of mind, or just something different to think about in their lives, because I didn’t know it was an option. But long story short, my dad passed from assisted dying,’ Harry explained.
Saying his father ‘really wanted to go out with his dignity,’ Harry added, ‘It was something that was a little bit like “Hell no, like let’s not do that. Let’s see what happens.” But the beautiful thing is that, you know, dad had a terminal illness. There’s no changing that.’ Harry spent the final two months of his dad’s life by his side, saying he was able to ‘ask him every question ever'.
Assisted death has been legal in New Zealand since November 2021. Explaining that there was a ‘rigorous process’ around assisted dying, Harry informed fans that 'You can't just walk into a clinic one day and say, “Yo, I’m going to leave the chat.”' A terminal illness must be present, with patients undergoing intense questionnaires and assessments to establish that it’s their decision.
Eventually, after multiple checks, the patient’s case is submitted to the Ministry of Health. ‘That could take a week, could take a little bit longer, could take a little bit less,’ Harry explained, 'but that’s pretty much for the Ministry of Health to make sure, to triple check that this is 100% the right decision, and that they’re certain this person is legitimate and doesn’t have too long left.’
Going on to recall his special final moments with his father, Harry paid tribute to the nurses who helped his dad - giving a special shout out to a nurse named Kate, the mother of one of his school friends. Sharing that all the family were in the room with him, Harry called his father’s passing a ‘beautifully weird and terrifying experience. My dad got to have everyone that loves him around him, everyone holding him [...] It was really special.’
While the reality star was open about his ‘respect’ for assisted dying, he did go on to share some advice for any child in his position. Recommending that they do the opposite of what he did, Harry shared, ‘If you’re on antidepressants, do not stop taking them. It’s also not the time to quit nicotine or caffeine as well. Those are the three things I don’t recommend doing when someone is terminally ill.’
Earlier this year, Harry spoke to People prior to the launch of Let's Marry Harry - a chat during which he got candid about his grieving process. ‘Grief impacted everything for sure: career, life, happiness - what matters, what doesn’t matter,’ he shared. ‘Grief is the best reset. It’s obviously hard. It’s obviously the worst thing ever, and I never want anyone to have it. But if you take one thing out of it, it’s the best reset to become who you’re meant to be.’
While Harry had often posted pictures of the pair together, Paul Jowsey lived his life away from the spotlight. In 2021, Harry gave a rare insight into the complex relationship he shared with his dad while on the Almost Adulting podcast. Describing him as a ‘crazy, crazy alcoholic,’ Harry added that ‘regardless of anything, that’s my old man, and I still love him.’
‘I think my dad’s got many really, really good characteristics,’ he later added. ‘He’s again my biggest idol when it comes to business and his mind in that sense, and how hard he hustled to get to where he has.’
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Charlotte Roberts is a writer at Grazia UK, specialising in SEO. She spends her days covering everything celebrity, culture, and entertainment - from film review roundups to cast explainers.
