Michelle Oakes, once dubbed the 'Lotto wife' for her extravagant Essex lifestyle, now finds genuine happiness in a modest static caravan after her million-pound fortune disappeared.
The Rise and Fall of a Lottery Lifestyle
Michelle Oakes became the envy of Essex when her then-partner Gary Brand won £1 million in the National Lottery in 1996. The windfall transformed their lives overnight, funding a luxurious home complete with stables for her horses, a glistening swimming pool, and a fleet of flashy cars including her beloved lilac BMW.
The couple married in 1997 and embarked on a champagne-fuelled lifestyle, travelling extensively to destinations including New York, Disney World, and making regular trips to Ibiza. Gary showered Michelle with expensive jewellery and luxury vehicles, creating what appeared to be a perfect life.
However, the fairy tale began to unravel when the couple divorced in 1999. Michelle received a £37,500 settlement after legal fees, forcing her to sell her diamond jewellery to move forward.
Multiple Marriages and Emotional Journey
Michelle's relationship history includes five marriages, beginning with forklift driver Simon Corne in 1991 when she was just 23. They had two sons together before divorcing four years later.
Following her lottery marriage dissolution, Michelle married soldier Terry Clarke in 2000, then another soldier, Richie Oakes, in 2003 with whom she had her third son, Mason. Both military marriages ended in divorce.
In 2014, Michelle found herself back in the headlines after reconnecting with builder Ian, who had originally worked on her lottery-winning dream home. Their unusual love story began when Michelle unknowingly messaged him on dating site Plenty of Fish. Ian admitted he had fallen for her while digging her pool decades earlier.
The couple married in 2016 in a white wedding ceremony and renovated a three-bedroom home together. However, after six years of marriage and following the death of her mother Betty from dementia, Michelle experienced what she describes as a "Eureka moment" and requested a divorce.
Transformation and Newfound Contentment
Now approaching her 60th birthday, Michelle has undergone a remarkable physical and emotional transformation. She lost four stone, dropping from 13st 8lbs to her current weight of 9st 4lbs, and retrained as a carer after selling her burger van business, "Michelle's Baps."
Her current home is a £52,000 static caravan in St Osyth, near Clacton-on-Sea, measuring just 36ft by 12ft - the same size as her former front room. Though holiday park regulations prevent year-round residence, Michelle spends most of her time there, occasionally staying with her best friend Steve when needed.
Despite the dramatic change in circumstances, Michelle insists she's never been happier. "On paper, I've lost everything," she admits. "But I am the happiest I've ever been."
Her simple pleasures now include snuggling with her Labradoodles Betty and Kofi and cat Bruce in her cosy caravan. She works as a carer earning £20,000 annually and supplements her income by helping Steve on his burger van to afford one annual holiday to Egypt.
Michelle has embraced frugal living, buying £2 lipsticks and clothing from Primark and TikTok shop. The only luxuries she maintains are occasional glasses of pink champagne and the odd lottery ticket.
Reflecting on her journey, Michelle says: "Money doesn't actually mean anything if you're not happy within yourself and having a man doesn't either." She has tattoos reminding her that "Even on my darkest day, I will stand tall and find sunshine" and "Never let your past define your future" - mottos she now lives by.
