Washington, June 2 : Vanessa Paradis has admitted that she never imagined motherhood would be so wonderful.

The 38-year-old singer and actress - who has daughter Lily-Rose, 12, and son Jack. 9, with long-term partner Johnny Depp - always wanted to have children but admits she wasn''t prepared for how fulfilling she would find having kids.

"I love being a mother. It''s something I''ve wanted to do since I was a kid, but it was never as wonderful as it is for real. It''s so beautiful," Contactmusic quoted her as telling Vogue magazine.

"And yes, obviously, when you put yourself second, it has to make you a little less selfish," she added. (ANI)