Joanna Donnelly: Dancing Through Life’s Storms and Triumphs

RTE star Joanna Donnelly is ready to swap weather charts for dance shoes as she steps onto the stage for season eight of Dancing With The Stars. The beloved meteorologist, known for her sharp forecasts and warm presence, is all set to dazzle the audience when the hit show returns on January 5, 2025. But beyond the cameras and dance floor, there’s so much more to know about this remarkable woman. Let’s dive into the fascinating journey of one of Ireland’s most recognizable weather forecasters.

A Stormy Start to a Bright Career

Joanna Donnelly didn’t always have her sights set on the screen. The 54-year-old Dubliner initially pursued a degree in Applied Maths at Dublin City University (DCU). Her love for numbers and the natural world eventually led her to join Met Éireann in 1995. She began her career as a meteorological officer and quickly climbed the ranks, becoming a full-fledged meteorologist by 2000.

Fast forward to 2002, and Joanna found herself on RTE Radio 1, delivering forecasts to the nation. It wasn’t long before she transitioned to television, debuting on RTE One and Two as a weather presenter in 2015. Joanna’s approachable style and clear delivery made her a household name.

Her passion for weather isn’t just limited to the screen. In 2018, she authored The Great Irish Weather Book, an engaging and beautifully illustrated book that explains Ireland’s unique climate to young readers. In 2023, she followed up with Malin Head to Mizen Head, which explores Ireland’s Sea Area Forecast in detail.

Family Forecast: A Sunny Outlook

Behind the forecasts and television appearances, Joanna’s greatest joy is her family. She is married to fellow forecaster Harm Luijkx, originally from The Netherlands. The pair met during a Met Éireann training course, and their shared passion for weather brought them even closer. Harm, like Joanna, has had a long career with Met Éireann.

The couple resides in Portmarnock, Dublin, a stone’s throw from the sea. Their home is filled with the laughter (and occasional storms) of their three children – Nicci (21), Tobias (16), and Casper (14). Joanna often shares how hard it is to leave weather talk at work, with Harm frequently joining in on forecasting discussions over dinner.

A Journey Through Life’s Storms

While Joanna’s career soared, her personal life was marked by trials. After the birth of her daughter Nicci, she faced a long and heartbreaking battle with infertility. Joanna has openly shared her experience, revealing that she endured seven miscarriages. IVF eventually brought her second child into the world, and she conceived her third naturally.

One of her most harrowing experiences happened mid-flight. Joanna recounted how she lost a pregnancy on a plane to New York while accompanying her brother. Holding the tiny fetus in her hands in a New York high-rise was a moment that, as she describes, left an indelible mark on her heart. Her vulnerability in sharing these deeply personal moments has made her an inspiration to many women facing similar struggles.

Trolls and Triumphs

Being in the public eye hasn’t always been easy for Joanna. In 2022, she received a disturbing message on social media that read: “Joanna don’t go out alone ever.” Rather than staying silent, she took to Twitter to expose the threat, asking her followers what they would do in her shoes.

The response was overwhelming. Fans rallied around her, offering support and advising her to report the message to authorities. Despite the darker side of fame, Joanna’s resilience and the outpouring of love from her followers proved that her light shines brighter than any negativity she faces.

Marking Moments with Ink

In 2022, Joanna decided to commemorate her motherhood journey in a unique way – by getting a tattoo. The inspiration? A lightning bolt-shaped stretch mark from her pregnancy. Joanna wanted to show her daughter Nicci that these marks are symbols of strength and life, not imperfections.

“To me, that mark says I was privileged to be able to carry a child, one of the most powerful things you can do as a woman,” she shared. This tattoo now stands as a constant reminder of resilience and the beauty of transformation.

Dancing Towards the Future

As Joanna prepares to hit the dance floor, fans eagerly await to see if she can bring the same charm and determination to Dancing With The Stars as she does to her forecasts. With a net worth estimated to be around €500,000, her wealth is not just in finances but in experiences and the lives she has touched.

Joanna Donnelly is proof that even when life brings storms, there’s always sunshine waiting on the other side. Whether she’s forecasting or fox-trotting, Joanna’s journey continues to inspire, entertain, and remind us all to weather life’s challenges with grace and humor.