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Zoe Delaney & Aaron Morris

Love Island's Gemma Owen is a spit of her mum - here's all we know about Michael Owen's wife, Louise

Love Island viewers around the world will be well aware by now that Gemma Owen is the daughter of ex-Liverpool, Newcastle and England striker Michael Owen - with the brunette beauty itching to namedrop her heritage to her unaware peers in the villa.

However, many still don't know a great deal about the 19-year-old's mother, Louise.

Although her father, 42, may have dubbed his daughter's stint on the ITV2 show as 'every father's worst nightmare' - her mum has been far more supportive of Gemma's reality TV dreams.

Read more: Love Island 2022 contestants - girls and boys for new series of ITV2 show as bombshells arrive

The Mirror reports that while Gemma celebrated turning 19, Louise - who married former Liverpool player Michael in 2005 - took to Instagram to share a slew of snaps of herself and her firstborn looking more like sisters than mother and daughter.

Doting mum Louise also seemingly alluding the Gemma's upcoming Love Island appearance, caption the collection of cute family pictures: "Happy 19th Birthday to this beautiful queen @gem0wen.

"No words can describe how proud I am of you and what exciting times ahead for you!"

Louise often shares snaps of her lavish family outings on Instagram (Instagram)

Gemma parent's found love as childhood sweethearts, first meeting as pupils at Hawarden High School in Wales prior to Michael's rise to fame as one of the country's most talented young footballers.

Former England striker Michael reportedly got down on one knee and popped the question on Valentine's Day - Louise's birthday - in 2004, and the private pair went on to tie the knot at the Carden Park Hotel in Chester the following year.

Alongside Gemma, 19, the happy couple are also parents to James, 16, Emily, 14 and Jessica, 12.

While many WAGs chase the fame and fortune that comes with being married to a Premiership footballer, Louise has shunned the spotlight over the years - preferring to lead a private life rather than aspiring to become a celebrity in her own right. However, the mum-of-four often shares snippets of her idyllic life at home with her family - posting snaps of her lavish holidays and birthday celebrations with her 8,757 followers on Instagram.

Michael Owen, with his wife Louise (L) and daughter Gemma (M) (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Louise did hit the headlines back in 2004, when she was involved in a terrifying horse riding accident at the age of 23, when firstborn child Gemma was just eight-months-old. Just like her daughter, mum-of-four Louise is also a horse lover and keen equestrian - with a passion for rescuing retired racehorses.

According to reports at the time, the mum-of-four was thrown off her horse Isabelle at her then-home which resulted in her reportedly fracturing her pelvis. Louise received treatment at Countess of Chester Hospital and thankfully went on to make a full recovery - going on to continue to enjoy spending time with horses.

The Love Island star's mum founded Manor House Stables in Cheshire around 2007, later expanding in 2009, along with BT Sports pundit Michael.

Louise is also an ambassador for the British Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre, an organisation that works to ensure horses have good lives after their time as racehorses concludes. Daughter Gemma seemingly has picked up on her mother's love of horses.

The Love Island star has ridden horses since a young age, and currently competes as an international dressage rider for Great Britain on her horse, Sirius Black (nicknamed ‘Siz’). She most recently competed at the 2021 European Championships.

"I’ve competed for Great Britain in dressage since I was 11-years-old. I’ve travelled all across Europe competing in big arenas in big competitions," the Love Island star said in her promotional interview before heading into the villa last week.

Michael Owen wasn't too keen on the idea of his daughter going on the ITV show (Instagram)

"I would say I’m very competitive. [When it comes to relationships] I will always go for what I want."

While dad Michael may have earned million during his time as one of the world's biggest sports star, he and Louise have always ensured Gemma and their other children know the value of money. The retired footballer has previously told his kids to go work at a "pub down the road" if they're after a bit of extra cash.

Speaking on the Walk The Dog podcast regarding his kids, he said: "It's really difficult from a parent's point of view. You want to give your children the best start and the best chance.

"But you're always wrestling with the fact that if I just make it so easy, and I can do this and do that, is she going to learn from any mistakes? You want money that much - there's a pub down the road, go and work behind the bar or something. That's my view."

Have you been watching this year's season of Love Island? What do you make of it so far?

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