Louise Ashby

Louise Ashby is an actress, model, author, host, motivational speaker and activist. She is a remarkable woman who beat the odds by facing a life of monumental obstacles and twists of fate. Louise’s story is one of strength and hope – an affirmation of human willpower in the face of tragedy – she steadfastly pursued life-long goals and found success in a number of arenas, while overcoming adversity.

Louise was introduced to the entertainment industry at a young age. Her first role in television was in Australia, where she was born. Louise graced the screens as the face of the infamous Australian condiment, Vegemite. She was 18 months old and it was just before her family relocated to England to pursue their own entertainment careers. With her mother an actress and her father one of the UK’s talent and music manager giants, Louise grew up as a back-stage kid, longing to be on stage and receiving an education in entertaining and performance by some of Brittain’s biggest stars. Louise’s first major challenge came at 16 years old when her mother, Lynda, was diagnosed with leukemia. Louise helped to care for her mother, witnessing her strength and courage. Sadly, Lynda passed away five years after the diagnosis, when Louise was 20 years old.

Cut adrift by the loss, fortified by her mother’s example and encouraged by her own success as an actress and model in England, Louise took the plunge and moved to Los Angeles where she was greeted by casting directors and agents who affirmed that she had the looks and talent to make her the next big thing.

It was only a month later that Louise faced her second major challenge as the victim of a severe auto-accident. A retired physician, with night blindness, was driving on the wrong side of the road and hit Louise’s car head on. The impact was so severe that she had to be extracted from the car using the Jaws of Life. The left side of Louise’s skull was crushed – her brain completely exposed – resulting in traumatic brain injury. Louise was left facially disfigured, blind in her left eye and without the sense of smell and taste. Ten years and 23 reconstructive brain and eye surgeries later (and with 200 metal bolts and plates in her head), Louise was once again ready to be in front of the camera.

In 2002 Louise’s first memoir, "The Magic of the Mask," was published. "The Magic of the Mask" inspired others to find the strength to get through their own life changing traumas and had Louise appearing on television internationally to talk about facial disfigurement and trauma and loss, and to spread a message of hope and strength. On the back of appearances on the shows Larry King Live, A Current Affair, The Tonight Show, 20/20, Montel Williams, Channel Four News and Fox 11 News, and features in Time, Newsweek, People, Elle, Glamour and Marie Claire, Louise was inundated with letters of praise from the public. The overwhelming positive response confirmed for Louise that there was value in her message and with her doctor she founded the charity, Facing Forward, which still to date raises money for reconstructive surgery and medical care for children who are born with facial deformities.

Louise now shares her experiences and knowledge as a motivational and keynote speaker. She encourages others to pursue their dreams and attributes her recovery to staying positive, and to using the law of attraction and visualization techniques. Louise has regular columns in AND Magazine and Coco Eco Magazine and has written for Elle, Marie Claire and Glamour. She works as a Life Architect guiding people to find their purpose and to create the blue print for the lives they desire. Louise is currently developing a radio program which will enable guests to share their experiences of overcoming life’s challenges and hurdles.