For years, Bec Hewitt has been celebrated as one of Australia’s most enduring stars — a beloved former Home and Away favourite, devoted wife to tennis icon Lleyton Hewitt,

and proud mother of three. But behind the carefully curated smiles and red-carpet poise, those closest to the 42-year-old actress reveal she is facing an emotional crossroads

that has left her feeling unexpectedly alone. Insiders say Bec is grappling with a profound case of empty nest syndrome as her children grow older and

increasingly immersed in lives of their own. What should be a natural and celebratory phase of motherhood has instead triggered a deep sense of loss — one that Bec, by nature fiercely private, is struggling to articulate.

Bec Hewitt is reportedly struggling with empty nest syndrome as her three children grow older and carve out independent lives away from home. Bec shares children Mia, 20, Cruz, 17, and Ava, 15, with her tennis champion husband Lleyton Hewitt. All pictured

“As the kids get older, Bec’s seeing less and less of them, and it’s been incredibly hard on her,” a source tells New Idea. “She’s proud of them, of course — but suddenly she has all this time on her hands, and she doesn’t quite know where she fits anymore.”

The Hewitt household, once bustling with school runs, rehearsals and family routines, has grown quieter. Their eldest daughter Mia, now 20, is living a fiercely independent life, embracing a bohemian, free-spirited phase as she tours Australia with her indie folk-rock band Father’s Favourite. The music scene has become her world — late-night gigs, creative collaborations and long stretches away from home.

Son Cruz, 17, is equally focused — but in an entirely different arena. Determined to forge his own identity, he has thrown himself into tennis, intent on building a career that stands apart from his father’s legendary legacy. Meanwhile, the youngest, Ava, 15, is rarely home either, balancing demanding dance rehearsals with a growing social calendar and early steps toward her own television ambitions.

“They all adore their mum — and Lleyton does too — but everyone’s so busy chasing their dreams that they don’t fully realise how much Bec is struggling without them around,” the insider explains. “She’s happy for them… but she can’t help feeling like she has no one right now.”

Bec is reportedly struggling to keep busy given her children’s newfound independence

Bec rose to fame playing beloved character Hayley Smith Lawson from 1998 to 2005. She exited the series when she fell pregnant with Mia. Pictured together in 2019

Those closest to Bec say her sadness isn’t dramatic or outwardly visible. Instead, it’s quiet, internal — the kind that settles in during long afternoons and empty evenings. Friends describe her as “twiddling her thumbs,” searching for purpose as the role that once defined her day-to-day life begins to shift.

Lleyton Hewitt, now 44, is said to be deeply aware of his wife’s emotional state and has been doing everything he can to help her rediscover her spark. According to sources, he has gently encouraged Bec to reconnect with old friends and industry peers — including close confidantes like Isla Fisher — or even revisit her television roots.

“Lleyton keeps telling her to reach out, to talk to someone, to fill her days with things that excite her again,” a source reveals. “But Bec isn’t someone who likes to lean on people. The last thing she wants is to feel like she’s throwing herself a pity party.”

That reluctance to open up has reportedly made the transition even harder. Known for guarding her personal life fiercely, Bec has always preferred to process challenges privately rather than publicly — a trait that served her well in the spotlight, but now risks leaving her isolated.

Some insiders believe this emotional chapter could open the door to an unexpected professional return — one that would bring Bec full circle. There is growing speculation that the timing may finally be right for the former star to step back onto the sands of Summer Bay.

“Even if it was just a guest appearance, why not?” a source suggests. “Stephen Peacocke and Bonnie Sveen reprising their roles recently has reminded everyone how powerful nostalgia can be. It could be exactly the spark Bec needs.”

Bec famously rose to fame as Hayley Smith Lawson on Home and Away, a role she played from 1998 until 2005. Her departure coincided with her pregnancy with Mia — a decision that marked the beginning of a long, intentional step away from acting to focus on family life. For many fans, her character’s story remains one of the show’s most iconic arcs.

In a poignant twist of fate, Bec’s connection to Home and Away has recently resurfaced through her daughter. In December 2024, Mia was spotted on set at Palm Beach — 26 years after the series catapulted her mother to stardom — sparking widespread speculation that the next generation of Hewitts was preparing to step into the limelight.

However, Channel Seven was quick to clarify the situation. A spokesperson confirmed that Mia has been working behind the scenes as a casual wardrobe assistant for more than a year, firmly establishing herself as part of the Home and Away family — but on her own terms.

“Mia has been a casual wardrobe assistant for the last 1.5 years and is a valued part of the team,” the network stated.

Away from television sets, Mia’s creative ambitions extend into music. Alongside bandmate Claudia Ros, she has built a loyal following in Sydney’s Inner West, affectionately dubbing themselves “The Queens of King Street” — a nod to Newtown’s vibrant arts and music scene.

While the image of a struggling artist fits the aesthetic, reality tells a different story. After late-night gigs in dive bars, Mia likely returns to the comfort of her parents’ $10.3 million Glenhaven estate. Lleyton’s estimated $20 million net worth, built through decades of tennis success and sponsorships, ensures financial security — even as each family member pursues their own path.

Yet wealth, sources say, does little to cushion the emotional distance Bec is feeling.

“She’s always been the glue of the family,” one insider reflects. “Now that everyone’s flying the nest, she’s left wondering who she is outside of being ‘mum’ — and that’s confronting, no matter how strong you are.”

Whether Bec finds healing through friendships, creative projects, or a long-awaited return to Summer Bay, those close to her hope this chapter marks not an ending, but a reinvention — one that allows her to reclaim joy in a life that, while still full, suddenly feels far quieter than before.