She became Britain’s richest divorcee in 2021 when her billionaire husband Ernesto Bertarelli agreed to a £350million settlement. She was also awarded a house worth £52million in Switzerland.
Now Staffordshire-born former Miss UK Kirsty Bertarelli sings with joy as she hosts a joint birthday party with her new boyfriend in Sardinia.
Songwriter Kirsty, 52, who co-wrote the All Saints’ #1 single “Black Coffee,” sang for her husband Marc at the event.
“You give me butterflies,” she gushed. A guest says: “It’s true romance.” There was not a dry eye in the house.’
Kirsty declined to give further details about Marc but it is believed they have been a couple for some time.
Kirsty declined to give further details about Marc but it is believed they have been a couple for some time. They are pictured together
Miss Bertarelli divorced her husband Ernesto (left), with whom she has three children, in 2021 after their 21-year marriage collapsed, becoming the UK’s richest divorced woman with a £350million settlement scored
Former Miss UK Kirsty Bertarelli, who was born in Staffordshire, sings with delight as she hosts a joint birthday party with her new boyfriend in Sardinia
Miss Bertarelli secretly divorced her husband Ernesto, with whom she has three children, in October 2021 after their 21-year marriage ended.
Speaking affectionately to her Instagram fans about her new man, she wrote, “Moving forward in harmony – just you and me right now – enjoying the beauty of life in perfect synchronicity –
“Sometimes the stars align – you held my hand and made me shine…”
‘Sometimes in life you get a second chance – don’t let go, just be strong – love knows no bounds when it’s pure and sweet – steady as the ground beneath your feet.’ Thank you, sweetheart.’
A friend of Miss Bertarelli said she had “gone through the mill” but was in a better place now with “close friends, a new younger man and a bulging bank balance”.
Before their divorce, the couple were jointly 14th in last year’s Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated wealth of a staggering £9.2 billion – more than the gross domestic product of many countries including the Bahamas, Brunei and Armenia.
In addition to her settlement, she was given a spectacular modern home on Lake Geneva in Switzerland, which she bought for £52million earlier this year. She also owns an £8million chalet in the Swiss ski resort of Gstaad.
Mrs Bertarelli was born Kirsty Roper in the market town of Stone, Staffordshire, to a wealthy family behind one of the world’s largest manufacturers of ceramic products, Churchill China in Stoke-on-Trent.
A friend of Miss Bertarelli said she had “gone through the mills” but was in a better place now
Kirsty Bertarelli, the beauty queen whose divorce made her wealthier than Queen Elizabeth, has a new boyfriend
‘Sometimes the stars align – you held my hand and made me shine…’: Former Miss UK beauty queen Kirsty Bertarelli (right), 51, held hands during a romantic stroll with Marc last August
She joined the super-rich after meeting biotech tycoon Bertarelli at a dinner party in Sardinia
Mrs Bertarelli (pictured in August 1988) was born Kirsty Roper in the market town of Stone, Staffordshire. She comes from the wealthy family behind one of the world’s largest manufacturers of ceramic products, Churchill China in Stoke-on-Trent
After being crowned Miss UK in 1988 (left and right), Kirsty placed second in that year’s Miss World pageant. She subsequently became a successful pop singer and songwriter. She co-wrote the All Saints’ #1 single “Black Coffee,” which was a worldwide hit in 2000
After moving to London, she partied with celebrities including Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Beckwith and Tamara Mellon.
Among those who fell for her charms was gaming and wildlife parks heir Damian Aspinall, whose ex-wife Louise named her when they divorced.
But Ms Bertarelli denied anything happened when Damian and Louise were still together. “He was already separated,” she explained. “At least that’s what he told me.”
She joined the super-rich after meeting biotech tycoon Bertarelli, 56, at a dinner party in Sardinia. He was a two-time winner of the America’s Cup, the sport’s top prize, and is said to have bought the British-built superyacht Vava II for £100million for his wife’s 40th birthday.
After being crowned Miss UK in 1988, Kirsty placed second in the Miss World pageant that same year. She subsequently became a successful pop singer and songwriter. She co-wrote the All Saints’ #1 single “Black Coffee,” which was a worldwide hit in 2000.
“So many people just went on their yacht and spent their lives drinking champagne, but not me,” she said.
“You should understand life.” “Singing has been with me my whole life and I just can’t stop it.”
When the couple split after 21 years last year, Ms Bertarelli reportedly agreed to a £350million payout, although the amount of her payment was not disclosed.
Ms Bertarelli was represented by Baroness (Fiona) Shackleton, the solicitor known as “Steel Magnolia” who represented Prince Charles and Sir Paul McCartney in their divorces. She is believed to have signed a prenuptial agreement before marrying Italian-born Bertarelli in 2000.
Pictured: Bertarelli (left) with her husband Ernesto and supermodel Eva Herzigova in Paris in 2017
Kirsty Bertarelli received a £350million divorce settlement, making her the richest British-born divorcee of all time, with a fortune surpassing that of the Queen and JK Rowling
Ex-Miss UK Kirsty Bertarelli, 51, divorced her billionaire husband Ernesto in 2021 after 21 years and three children
Recalling the first time they met, Kirsty said, “There were so many girls who wanted to be with him and I think he just found me naively refreshing.”
In 2000, Kirsty found success in the music industry after a song she co-wrote, Black Coffee, reached #1 in the UK Singles Chart
Motherhood and Ernesto’s obsession with sailing thwarted Kirsty’s dreams of becoming a pop star
One of her friends told the Mail: “The settlement was more generous than it needed to be. They didn’t want a lengthy court case in Switzerland and he wanted to recognize the length of their marriage.’
Last July, Miss Bertarelli posted a heartfelt message on Instagram to mark her 20th wedding anniversary.
‘Twenty years together today!!’ Join us for a little spin to celebrate the occasion of an incredibly amazing trip!’ She wrote. “With you always by my side and me always by your side.” I love you so much!’
Kirsty said in a rare interview a few years earlier that marriage to Ernesto was the gateway to an “amazing” life. A picture was shared on social media of the couple flying to exotic locations, exclusive beach clubs and ski resorts.
It came as a shock to many when the couple quietly divorced after 21 years of marriage and Miss Bertarelli was now living alone in a stunning £350million villa on the shores of Lake Geneva.
A source told the Chron at the time: “Very few knew what was going on.”
“They were both very discreet. They still have great respect for each other.”