I knew something was different about Cameron Diaz when I saw her on the screen ages ago in The Mask.
Her amazing smile and incredible screen presence made me wonder what made her like that.
After some research, I discovered that her mom, Billie Early, not only looks like our star but also among the main influences behind Cameron’s radiant charm and energetic personality.
So, for a change of tune, let’s shift the spotlight from Cameron to her mother!
Childhood
Cameron Diaz’s mother was born Billie Joann Early on the 11th of August, 1950, in Los Angeles, California.
Like many celebrities’ parents, there wasn’t enough information about Billie’s early childhood or parents.
However, it’s widely known that her upbringing was steeped in solid values and a sense of responsibility.
Career
There isn’t information about Billie’s earlier education or if she pursued college. However, I learned she worked as an import/export agent.
Working such a job meant Billie was involved in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment that required strong organizational skills.
This tells us that Billie likely developed excellent time management, problem-solving, and communication skills, all while balancing work and family life.
This isn’t even to mention that she had to travel a lot, leading to exposure to different cultures and perspectives.
Naturally, this exposure broadened her worldview and likely affected how she raised her daughters.
Marriage and Family
Billie lived what I can only describe as a true love story. When they were both teenagers, she met Emilio Diaz, a second-generation Cuban American.
Soon enough, they tied the knot at 18 and began their adventure together! As mentioned, Billie worked as an import/export agent while Emilio worked for Unocal, a California oil company.
As their love for each other grew, so did their family, leaving the couple with two beautiful daughters, Cameron and Chimene.
From what Cameron described of her childhood, it was a beautiful yet challenging journey. Billie taught Cameron how to enjoy life and introduced her to music, even taking her to see Van Halen, one of the most famous rock bands in the world.
Their home was always full of laughter and love, and they could always count on each other for support.
Nevertheless, life wasn’t as easy for the Diaz family; at some point, they had to collect drinking cans in exchange for cash so they could live.
Despite these challenges, the Diaz family remained resilient and tight-knit.
Rather than allowing difficult times to bring them down, Billie and Emilio turned adversity into life lessons for Cameron and Chimene.
Billie Early Today
Sadly, the love story Billie and Emilio had didn’t last as long as I’d hoped. At just 58 years old, Emilio caught the flu, which quickly developed into pneumonia.
He died unexpectedly on the 18th of April 2018. The news shocked his family, and according to them, he was in good health. Billie leads a quiet life and is surrounded by her daughters and grandchildren.
Quick Recap
Billie Early is a strong woman who lived, in my humble opinion, a remarkable life filled with ups and downs. Most importantly, her life was always entirely of love.
Whether it was Billie’s parents, husband, or daughters, she poured her heart into her relationship, receiving the same adoration and support in return.
Despite life’s challenges, from balancing a demanding career and losing her husband, Billie never lost her strength or compassion.
