TOP BUSINESSWOMAN AND DRAGONS' DEN' STAR DEBORAH MEADEN

ON LIVING THE GOOD LIFE IN THE COUNTRY AND WHY CHILDREN SHOULD LEARN ABOUT MONEY

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

As one of Britain’s most high-profile businesswomen, Deborah Meaden’s talent for spotting an opportunity and making money from it has turned her into a household name, as well as a multi-millionaire. Yet while she could easily afford to indulge in all the trappings of fame and fortune, the Dragons’ Den star prefers to live an altogether simpler existence.

Rather than splashing out on private jets, a fleet of fast cars or a wardrobe full of designer clothes, Deborah says her only extravagance is the farmhouse she and her husband Paul Farmer have lovingly and ethically renovated, and where they live with a menagerie of cats, dogs, horses, pigs, geese, exbattery hens and a flock of rescue sheep.

“I’m not at all extravagant,” says Deborah, 65, as Hello! joins her in Somerset for this exclusive interview and photoshoot. “At my age you think, what do I need? I don’t want morestuff. I drive a 20-year-old Porsche and most of my clothes are very old – luckily, the Nineties are fashionable again. When I’m in Somerset, I ride most mornings and walk the dogs. I just love being outside and we often have friends over for dinner parties, simple stuff.”

Deborah’s pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to life and money lies in her working-class roots and has been shaped by her professional journey, which has seen her rise from Butlin’s b ingo ca l ler to a succes s fu l entrepreneur who has invested in a portfolio of start-up businesses, from fashion and cosmetics to drinks, gadgets and kids’ toys.