Zoe Winkler once considered becoming a reality TV star, but her father, Henry Winkler, intervened. This pivotal decision led Zoe to pursue a fulfilling career in teaching and later, activism. This was how her journey unfolded and the impact she has made through her nonprofit work.
- Zoe Winkler had reality TV aspirations
- Henry Winkler discouraged that
- THIS was her transition to teaching and education
Transition to Teaching and Education
Zoe Winkler, daughter of iconic actor Henry Winkler, once had her sights set on a reality TV career. During an episode of her podcast, 'What In The Winkler?!', Zoe shared that she was a contender for 'The Bachelorette.' However, her father intervened for her protection.
Henry recalled, "Oh, my goodness. And we put a stop to that and only for your protection." This decision marked the beginning of a new direction for Zoe, steering her away from reality TV.
"I'll never forget Matt Hanna [an executive producer]," she recalled. "He worked at VH1 at the time, he flew out to LA and did a sizzle reel of us. And I don't even think like I mentioned it to you... I was living at home at the time because I was just done with college. He came to the house and you met him outside."
"I did," Henry continued. "I said, it is so lovely that you're here, I can suggest some really good restaurants, [but] my daughter is not doing your show."
Though Zoe's reality dreams were dashed and Kim went on to "become the most famous person in the world," she admitted that her father's firm stance allowed her to pursue a life long dream she'd always had of teaching.
Following her father's advice, Zoe pursued her true passion—teaching. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, she began working as a nursery school teacher.
"I became a teacher, which was the best job and what I always truly wanted to do," she explained, before Henry added that he knew she was "born" to teach after visiting her classroom on multiple occasions.
"I'm not kidding, [it's] not because I'm your dad," he continued. "I'm just objectively telling you I saw it happen. If I were a young parent, at the time that I saw the way you parent and the way you taught, I would have stolen your technique and used it as my go-to."
Her father, Henry, was impressed by her natural teaching abilities, stating, "If I were a young parent, at the time that I saw the way you parent and the way you taught, I would have stolen your technique and used it as my go-to." Zoe found immense satisfaction in teaching, the career she was always destined for.
In 2018, Zoe co-founded the nonprofit organization This is About Humanity, which aids families and children separated at the United States-Mexico border. Her experiences as a teacher and mother fueled her activism.
At the time, she told 'The Hollywood Reporter' that she was inspired to launch the organization after seeing the conditions migrants were living in at border holding facilities.
"I could not get the images out of my head of these children," she told the outlet.
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"I have a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 6-year-old, and having them separated from me would be, I don’t know that they would make it. I mean it’s so damaging and we’re living in such a scary time as it is right now that I feel like I never in my life thought I would become an activist, but I don’t have any other choice."
The organization raises awareness and provides resources to those in need, demonstrating Zoe's commitment to making a difference.
