By: Maria Williams
Michella Filipowitz’s life is a remarkable journey of transformation, where love, family, and purpose have taken center stage. As a model, art dealer, and co-chair of the DR Family Foundation, she has learned that family doesn’t have to follow a traditional path to be meaningful, and her passion for giving back has only grown stronger with time.
At just 15 years old, Michella left her home to pursue her dreams of modeling in Paris. The excitement and glamor of the fashion world quickly became her reality, but there was more beneath the surface. “I was really young and didn’t have the emotional support I needed,” Michella recalls. Her experiences during these early years in Paris shaped her understanding of the importance of mental health and well-being, lessons that would later fuel her philanthropic endeavors.
Several years later, at the age of 23, Michella faced another life-altering experience. She became a single mother to her son, Benjamin, and soon after, he was diagnosed with autism. “It was incredibly difficult,” she reflects. “I had to come to terms with the fact that Benjamin would have a different experience in life, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t thrive.”
Determined to provide the premier possible life for Benjamin, Michella began researching schools and therapies that would help him grow. “I realized how isolating the world can be for children with disabilities,” she says. “Many schools simply weren’t equipped to support him, and it became clear to me that the system wasn’t designed with inclusivity in mind.”
Despite the challenges, Michella found a supportive school in Miami that changed everything. “The progress Benjamin made was astonishing,” she shares. “He went from being non-verbal to reading and speaking—it was incredible.” When Michella later moved to Sydney with her fiancé, she was shocked to discover how limited the support for children with disabilities was compared to what she had experienced in Miami. “It’s been an uphill battle,” she admits, “but I’ve always believed that where there’s love and determination, there’s a way.”
One of the pivotal moments in Michella’s life was meeting her fiancé. “From the moment we met, he understood my journey with Benjamin,” she explains. “We connected on such a deep level, and he embraced Benjamin like his own. That was when I knew he was the one.” Their relationship grew quickly, and they made the decision to build a future together in Sydney.
Together, Michella and her fiancé co-founded the DR Family Foundation, a charity that supports children with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Their goal is to create a nurturing environment where children can flourish, regardless of their circumstances. “We’re working on building a home for kids who don’t have a safe space, whether they come from broken homes or struggle with disabilities,” she says. “But more than that, we want to build a community where they can feel loved, accepted, and valued.”
Michella’s work doesn’t stop there. She is also advocating for changes in the education system to promote inclusivity for children with disabilities. “Segregating kids into special schools only isolates them further,” she says. “I want to see a world where all children grow up together, learning from each other’s differences.”
Her journey has taught her that love and family are what you make of them. “Benjamin has been my greatest teacher,” she reflects. “He’s shown me that life doesn’t have to follow a set path. Family isn’t defined by the traditional standards, and I’m grateful for the love and support I’ve found along the way.”
Michella’s mission is to create a world where every child, no matter their background or abilities, is given the opportunity to thrive. Through her work with the DR Family Foundation, she is building that future, one step at a time. “My dream is to see a world where love and acceptance are at the heart of every community,” she says. “We all have the power to make that happen.”
To follow Michella Filipowitz’s journey and learn more about the DR Family Foundation, visit her on Instagram @princessmichella.
Published By: Aize Perez
