Jillian Hervey escaped unharmed after a tornado caused a tree to crash down on her car shortly after her mom, Vanessa Williams’ dad, died in January 2003.
Vanessa Williams’ daughter Jillian Hervey escaped unharmed after a tornado sent a tree crashing down on her car – and believes her grandfather “saved her”.
The Lion Babe singer was just 17 when the terrifying freak incident unfolded in New York, shortly after the death of Vanessa’s dad, music teacher Milton Augustine Williams Jr., from an acute pancreatic infection in January 2003 at the age of 67.
Speaking to Britain’s HELLO! magazine, Jillian, 37, recalled: “It was a beautiful day and then the next thing, there was a tornado warning in our town, which never happens. It was very Wizard of Oz.
“I had just lost my grandfather. I really sensed him there. I felt as though he saved me.”
The near-death experience proved to be a turning point for the dancer, whose 75-year-old dad, film producer Ramon Hervey II, was married to 63-year-old actress Vanessa from 1987 until 1997.
Jillian added: “It was an out-of-your-system moment, where you realise, ‘What am I doing with my life?’
“After that, I refocused. I was so thankful to have made it through.”
The entertainer has only truly appreciated the lengths Vanessa went to be there for her since becoming a mom to four-year-old Sunny, whom she has with her 38-year-old partner and Lion Babe bandmate, Lucas Goodman.
Jillian admitted: “Now being a mom, I’m so appreciative of the time and energy she always took to be present.
“When I think back, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, she came for a recital.’ I remember she was touring in Japan and flew home for just that day, then flew back. She’s an incredible woman.”
But the Desperate Housewives star was not just present – she was a role model.
Jillian added: “Growing up, I soaked up the most from her example. I’ve seen how she treats people – how loyal, hardworking and disciplined she is. She’s an embodiment of excellence, and I strive to be the same.”
While Vanessa balanced life on the road with raising Jillian, Melanie, 39, Devin, 33, and their 26-year-old half-sister Sasha Fox, Jillian admits touring as a mom comes with one worry – leaving Sunny behind.
She said: “I do always think of Sunny being alone, but he’s obsessed with his grandparents, and he loves his little routine, so I think it’ll be fine.”
Although Jillian and Lucas face a “constant puzzle” of balancing Sunny’s needs with being present, the pair “just figure it out” because they “want to be there”.
Vanessa has Sasha with her second husband, 57-year-old ex-basketball player Rick Fox, whom she was married to from 1999 until 2004.
The Devil Wears Prada Musical’s leading lady tied the knot with accountant Jim Skrip in 2015, but they divorced in 2021.
Vanessa Williams’ daughter believes grandfather ‘saved her’ from near-death experience
