Arianna David opened up about her son’s health issues during her emotional interview on Verissimo, hosted by Silvia Toffanin. The former model and Miss Italia winner shared her experiences, highlighting the deep struggles she faced as both a mother and as someone who has battled anorexia.
David, who is the mother of Tommaso, born in 2005, and Gregorio, born in 2008, attributed her son’s health challenges to early medical signs she noticed when he was just a child. "Uno dei miei figli non è stato bene. Ci sono state delle avvisaglie già quando era piccolo," she stated, conveying the heartbreak of witnessing her son’s difficulties without having answers for years.
These struggles intensified after her separation from Marco Bocciolini, when she moved to Rome alone with her children. Following the split, Arianna and her family sought medical help, but they received no formal diagnoses. "Abbiamo iniziato a fare dei percorsi in ospedale, ma non è mai stato diagnosticato nulla," she recounted, adding the frustration of being faced with clear signs of problems but lacking the medical backing to address them.
The turning point for her son came years later, when, frustrated with his situation, he decided to seek help himself. "È stato mio figlio a decidere di andare in un posto per capire. Ha detto: 'Non ne posso più'. Lì è stato rilevato quello che già pensavamo e oggi lui è felice," Arianna shared, reflecting on the relief and joy they both felt when her son finally received the attention and care he needed.
Throughout these challenges, Arianna expressed the emotional impact of watching her child suffer. "Un figlio è un pezzo di sé. Vederlo soffrire, vederlo bullizzato, vederlo scartato è stato straziante," she confessed, tears evident as she conveyed her pain. The torment of seeing her son bullied during such vulnerable years compounded her feelings of guilt and helplessness.
Adding to the depth of her narrative, David spoke candidly about her own struggles with body image and mental health. She has fought against anorexia for years, stating, "Io ho sempre combattuto contro il mio corpo, non mi vedevo mai magra o come avrei voluto e questo mi ha causato tantissimi disagi." Her battle has been intertwined with her identity, shaped by the pressures of her profession and her past. Indeed, it is evident her health issues are the result of longstanding internal conflicts magnified by family dynamics.
Reflecting on her family ties, Arianna revealed complications with her own parents, expressing how years of misunderstanding with her mother left deep-seated feelings. "Io ho cercato tanto mia mamma, tra di noi c'è stata un'incomprensione e siamo state lontane per 7 anni," she recounted, admitting it was challenging to navigate those feelings of disconnect, especially after reconciling only recently.
Throughout the interview, there was an emphasis on resilience and recovery, both for her son and herself. Arianna concluded on a hopeful note, appreciating her son’s progress and newfound happiness as he studies and plays the guitar—an activity he enjoys without the shadow of his past health struggles. She expressed gratitude for the support she and her son have found, instilling optimism for the future.
David's narrative is not merely about the difficulties faced; it is also about the triumphs found within those struggles. The interview on Verissimo shed light on the importance of family support, the need for accessible mental health resources, and the enduring love of a mother striving to do her best, even amid her own battles.