Showbiz

Michelle Mone separates from husband of 19 years

Published Wednesday, Dec 28 2011, 22:22 GMT | By Daniel Sperling | Add comment

Michelle Mone has announced that she is to separate from her husband of 19 years.

Lawyers for the Scottish entrepreneur and her partner Michael claimed that their decision to split had been "amicable" and did not involve any other parties.

The pair currently both run MJM International, the parent company of Mone's designer lingerie brand Ultimo.

"Michael and Michelle's focus will be the welfare of their children, which is their main priority," a statement from their law firm said. "They will continue to work together in their business MJM International.

"This is a private matter and they would appreciate their privacy and that of their family being respected at this difficult time."

The couple have three children together, Rebecca, 19, Declan, 15 and 11-year-old Bethany.

Michelle, 40, is believed to have accumulated a fortune of around £39m.

In recent years she has made appearances on reality TV shows Celebrity Apprentice and 71 Degrees North, as well as expressed a desire to star in Dragons' Den.