Lily Sastry, daughter of Mr. Bean star Rowan Atkinson, has spoken out for the first time about her parents’ highly publicized divorce, revealing how the painful split plunged her into “darkness” and “chaos.”
Rowan Atkinson, now 70, ended his 24-year marriage to former BBC makeup artist Sunetra Sastry in 2015. The divorce, granted on the grounds of Atkinson’s “unreasonable behavior,” marked a significant shift in the family dynamic. Since then, the iconic comedian has been in a relationship with actress Louise Ford, 44.
In a candid reflection, Lily shared how the collapse of her family affected her deeply during her early twenties. “It’s hard to find out who you are in the midst of no friends, a broken family, and no idea how to navigate making music and trying to understand the world,” she said.
Following her parents’ separation, Lily pursued burlesque dancing before transitioning into music, a passion her father reportedly supported financially. In 2017, she made headlines by dropping the Atkinson surname in favor of her mother’s, Sastry, fueling rumors of a possible rift with her famous father.
Now living in London, the 29-year-old has found healing through her art. She recently held her debut art exhibition at an independent gallery in the capital in December 2024. “Art was my guiding light,” she shared. “It made all the suffering worth it. I was working towards a goal, a dream.”
Lily continued, “It has taken me years to figure out my life and who I am. I’ve made countless mistakes, been hurt, lost, and alone many times. But I’ve grown and become stronger through it all.”
Rowan Atkinson and Sunetra Sastry also share a son, Ben Atkinson, 31, who serves as an officer in the Royal Gurkha Regiment.
At the time of their split, the couple were constructing an £11 million eco-friendly home in Oxfordshire. Post-divorce, Rowan moved into a £4 million cottage in London, while Sunetra took residence in a £21 million mansion, also in the capital—purchased for her by Atkinson in 2014.
Rowan and Louise Ford, who first met while co-starring in the West End play Quartermaine’s Terms in 2013, have maintained a notably private relationship, rarely making public appearances together.
Lily’s emotional revelations provide rare insight into the private toll of celebrity breakups and how creativity became her path to healing.