Once upon a time, Henry Winkler’s daughter, Zoe, wanted to become a bona fide reality star.
In her last episode What in Winkler?! podcast, Zoe, 44, revealed she almost took a completely different path before her father, 79, put a stop to her reality TV career.
“Do you remember when I was in the running for that Bachelor?” she asked to what happy days The alum replied, “Oh my God. We stopped that too and it’s just for your protection.”
After Henry jokingly asked his daughter for “thank you”, Zoe told how once she, Kim Kardashian and Sarah Howard were asked to be part of the so-called show. A three-month crisis of life — an opportunity Henry also turned down on her behalf.
Henry Winkler Shares Rules His 6 Grandchildren Must Follow When They Visit: ‘There’s Only A Few’ (Exclusive)
Zoe Winkler and Henry Winkler attend the 4th Annual TIAH Fundraiser on August 27, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty
“I will never forget Matt Hanna [an executive producer],” she recalled. “He was working at VH1 at the time, and he flew out to LA and shot a scene about us. And I don’t think I mentioned it to you… I was living at home at the time because I had just finished college. He came to the house and you met him outside.”
“I am,” Henry continued. “I said, it’s so nice to have you here, I can suggest some really good restaurants, [but] my daughter doesn’t do your show.”
Although Zoe’s dreams of reality were dashed and Kim “became the most famous person in the world”, she admitted that her father’s steadfast attitude allowed her to follow her lifelong dream of teaching.
Henry Winkler Shares Rules His 6 Grandchildren Must Follow When They Visit: ‘There’s Only A Few’ (Exclusive)
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Zoe Winkler Reinis.
John Sciulli/Getty
“I became a teacher, which was the best job and what I’ve always really wanted to do,” she explained, before Henry added that he knew she was “born” to teach after visiting her classroom on numerous occasions.
“I’m not kidding, [it’s] not because I’m your dad,” he continued. “I’m just telling you objectively that I saw it happen. If I were a young parent, by the time I saw how you parent and the way you teach, I would steal your technique and use it as my choice.”
Zoe began working as a kindergarten teacher after graduating from Loyola Marymount University. After several years of teaching, she transitioned into a humanitarian role after co-founding the nonprofit This is About Humanity in 2018.
Henry Winkler has a proud grandfather moment with his daughter and three adorable red-haired grandchildren
The organization helps families and children separated at the United States-Mexico border by raising awareness and offering resources and assistance.
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At the time, she said The Hollywood Reporter that she was inspired to start the organization after seeing the conditions in which migrants live in detention facilities at the border.
“I couldn’t get the pictures of those children out of my head,” she told the newspaper. “I have a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old and a 6-year-old and if they were separated from me, I don’t know if they would make it. I mean, it’s so harmful and we live in such a terrible time right now that I feel like I never in my life thought I would become an activist, but I have no choice.”
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Source: HIS Education