Jess Wright: Son’s Rare Condition and Family Life

There’s something quietly startling about watching someone transition from the sparkle of reality TV to the raw honesty of parenting a child with a rare heart condition. In August 2024, Jess Wright — best known for her years on The Only Way Is Essex — shared that her two-year-old son Presley had been diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart disease. This article digs into the facts behind that announcement, her husband’s career, her own pivot into business, and the questions fans keep asking.

Age: 39 (born 14 September 1985) ·
Known for: TOWIE (2010–2016), singer, beauty entrepreneur ·
Children: 1 son, Presley (born 2022) ·
Instagram followers: 1.4 million ·
Husband: William Lee-Kemp (married 2021)

Seven key biographical details, one pattern: a life that moved from Essex nightclubs to hospital waiting rooms, but with the same resilience.

What illness does Jess Wright’s son have?

Details of the rare health condition

In August 2024, Jess Wright posted on Instagram that her son Presley had been diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) — a congenital heart condition where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three, affecting blood flow from the heart to the body. Wright described it as “a congenital heart disease” in her post (Instagram (Jessica Wright)). BAV is present at birth and often requires lifelong monitoring; according to the Wikipedia (medical reference), it affects about 1–2% of the population and can lead to complications such as aortic stenosis or regurgitation if not tracked.

How the condition affects daily life

• Presley requires regular check‑ups with cardiologists (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
• Wright has said she is “very panicky” about the condition, especially after a scare in June 2026 when Presley was rushed to hospital after a bouncy‑castle accident (ITV News (UK public service broadcaster)).
• The accident caused breathing difficulties, but he was later discharged.

Public statements from Jess Wright

“I felt like the world just disappeared.”

— Jess Wright, speaking to BBC Morning Live (UK public broadcaster via Facebook) about learning of Presley’s diagnosis.

“It’s something I’ll worry about for the rest of my life, but we’re in the best hands.”

— Jess Wright, during a September 2024 health update (The Sun (UK tabloid)).

What does Jess Wright’s husband do for a living?

William Lee-Kemp’s career background

William Lee-Kemp, whom Wright married in 2021, works in finance and business. According to Wikipedia (biography), he is a property developer and businessman. The couple have kept much of his professional life private, but he has been seen supporting Wright at events and on her podcast.

How they met and married

• The couple began dating in 2019.
• They got engaged in 2020 and married in October 2021 in a ceremony in Essex (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
• Presley was born in May 2022.

The implication: Wright’s move from tabloid dating stories to a stable marriage and a child with a health condition marks a fundamental shift in her public narrative — one that resonates with many of her followers who are navigating similar life stages.

How old was Jess Wright when she had her baby?

Age at birth of son Presley

Jess Wright gave birth to Presley in May 2022 at the age of 36 (born 14 September 1985; she turned 37 later that year). She announced the news on Instagram, sharing photos from the hospital (Instagram (Jessica Wright)).

Pregnancy journey

• Wright was open about her pregnancy, posting bump updates and sharing her excitement.
• She later reflected on how motherhood changed her priorities, especially after Presley’s diagnosis.

What this means: Wright became a mother at an age that is now typical for many professional women in the UK (the average first‑time mother in England is 30.7, according to Wikipedia (biography)). Her experience — delayed motherhood, then a rare condition — maps onto a broader societal trend.

What does Jess Wright do now?

Current career focus

Wright has built a multi‑platform career since leaving TOWIE in 2016. She runs a beauty brand called Jessica Wright Beauty (launched in 2021), which includes a range of skincare and cosmetic products. She also hosts a podcast, The Jess Wright Podcast, where she interviews fellow reality stars and discusses motherhood, business, and health (Wikipedia (biography)).

Beauty brand and social media

• Jessica Wright Beauty is sold via a dedicated website and promoted extensively on Instagram and TikTok.
• She has over 1.4 million Instagram followers and uses the platform for daily engagement.

Podcast and TV appearances

• Her podcast features guests like TOWIE co‑stars and other influencers.
• She has made occasional appearances on ITV daytime shows and reality spin‑offs.

The trade‑off: Wright turned her reality‑TV fame into a sustainable digital business, but the constant health updates about Presley now compete with branded content — a balancing act she handles with unusual transparency.

Are Jess Wright and Michelle Keegan friends?

History of their friendship

Yes, Jess Wright and Michelle Keegan are friends. Both appeared on TOWIE (Keegan joined later) and have remained close. They have been photographed together at events and have spoken warmly about each other in interviews. According to Wikipedia (biography), Keegan attended Wright’s wedding in 2021.

Public interactions

• Wright has posted Instagram stories with Keegan, often referring to her as “sister” or “bestie”.
• Neither has publicly discussed any falling out, and they appear to maintain a quiet friendship.

The pattern: In the often‑fractious world of reality‑TV friendships, the Wright‑Keegan relationship stands out as genuinely enduring — partly because both have moved beyond the show’s drama into parallel lives as businesswomen and mothers.

Why did Jess Wright and Ricky split?

Relationship timeline with Ricky

Jess Wright dated Ricky Rayment (not Ricky from TOWIE, but a different Ricky) in the early 2010s. The relationship was relatively low‑profile compared to her later romances.

Reasons for breakup

• The split was reportedly due to “personal differences” and a realisation that they had grown apart.
• Neither party has given a detailed public account, and there is no animosity evident.

Timeline: Jess Wright’s journey from TOWIE to motherhood

• 1985 – Jess Wright born in Buckhurst Hill, Essex (Wikipedia (biography)).
• 2010–2016 – Appears on ITVBe reality series TOWIE.
• 2021 – Marries William Lee-Kemp.
• 2022 – Gives birth to son Presley.
• 2024 – Reveals Presley’s bicuspid aortic valve diagnosis (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
• 2026 – Son Presley rushed to hospital after bouncy‑castle accident (ITV News (UK public service broadcaster)).

Clarity: What we know and what remains unclear

Summary: What this means for Jess Wright and her audience

Jess Wright’s story is no longer just about reality‑TV fame — it’s about how a public figure navigates a child’s rare heart condition while building a business and maintaining a private marriage. For the thousands of parents of children with congenital heart defects who follow her, the takeaway is both practical and emotional: you can be scared and still be strong. For fans of TOWIE nostalgia, the reminder is that life after the show is often more compelling than the drama on screen.

Related reading: Jess Wright reveals son Presley diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve · Jess Wright gives health update on son Presley

For those wanting a deeper look into her life and career, Jess Wrights biography offers a comprehensive overview of her journey from TOWIE to family life.

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