Hilary Duff says her experience with formal education looked very different from what many people might expect.
The actress and singer recently spoke about her childhood schooling during an appearance on the Table Manners podcast with Jessie Ware and her mother, Lennie Ware. Duff explained that her education took a backseat as her career began to take off at a young age.
Duff was just 14 when she landed the title role on Disney Channel’s hit series Lizzie McGuire, a part that quickly turned her into one of the network’s biggest stars.
When asked about being homeschooled during those years, Duff responded with humor.
“Barely?” she joked.
Although she later earned her GED at her mother’s encouragement, Duff said she still developed a love for learning in her own way, largely through reading.
She explained that she tended to explore subjects that genuinely interested her rather than following a traditional school path.
Looking back, Duff said she doesn’t feel regret about not attending college or following a more typical academic route.
“I think I’m past the point of worrying about my lackluster education,” she said, adding that she’s built strengths in other areas and isn’t afraid to ask questions when she needs to.
Duff also laughed about how easy it is today to quickly look up information when something comes up.
These days, education is something she takes seriously for her own children. Duff is a mother of four: Luca, 13, whom she shares with former husband Mike Comrie, and Banks, 7, Mae, 4, and Townes, 1, with her husband Matthew Koma.
She said watching her children learn has been a rewarding experience, and sometimes they even teach her things she didn’t study growing up.
“It’s been amazing to connect with my child and have him teach me things I didn’t know,” she said.
Duff is currently busy promoting her latest album luck… or something, while Koma helps manage things at home and keeps the family’s daily routine running smoothly.
