Melissa George - Melissa George thankful for relaxed upbringing

Melissa George thankful for relaxed upbringing

Melissa George's mother encouraged her to smoke, drink and bring boys home.

The 'Hunted' actress is thankful her parents had a relaxed attitude to often taboo subjects like sex and alcohol when she was a teenager because it has helped her in her relationships and with her lifestyle choices.

She said: ''My mum Pamela made sure I knew the facts of life about sex from an early age, to protect me.

''She'd say, 'Do you want to drink and smoke? Do it here.' Or, 'Do you want a boyfriend? Bring him home.'

''She was an amazing mum, who asked if I wanted the consequences of unsafe sex and made sure I read the right books on sex at 13.

''It was a fantastic way to be brought up. It has also meant I have been at ease with men all my life.''

The former 'Alias' star was also encouraged by her mother to travel and be ''happy'' in love - and she is thankful to have been able to follow her mum's wishes.

She added to The Sun newspaper: ''Mum never judged my boyfriends. Her only concern was I would be happy in love and travel well.

''I've been fortunate on both counts. I met my husband Claudio on a trip to Bali with a girl pal. We met in a restaurant and he looked a very beautiful man.

''We were married within a year. He was from Chile so introduced me to South America - another great experience. But I cannot pretend the divorce was anything but terrible. I was then with [Def Jam owner] Russell Simmons, who I met in New York, for a time.''