Carol Vorderman Shares Candid Details on Her 'Special Friends' Lifestyle
Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman has offered a rare glimpse into her personal life, revealing she frequently travels internationally to spend time with what she describes as her "special friends." The 65-year-old television personality, known for her openness about her romantic choices, discussed this unconventional approach during a recent appearance on the Vanessa Feltz Show.
A Life of Freedom and Independence
Vorderman explained that after her marriage ended, she reached a point in her 50s where she no longer desired a traditional, settled partnership. "My children were older and I'm totally financially independent," she stated. "I've got great friends. I have a brilliant social life, I love laughing, I love going on holiday with my friends. I'm invited all around the world to go and stay with people. So that's what I do."
When directly asked by host Vanessa Feltz if these relationships could be termed "friends with benefits," Vorderman confirmed, "Yes, I think that's probably better." She elaborated on one long-distance connection, noting, "One of my friends is in America. We've known each other for 11 – 12 years, we don't see each other that often but we talk all the time."
Embracing Change and Financial Independence
The television star highlighted how societal shifts have enabled women of her generation to pursue lifestyles vastly different from those of their mothers. "Life changes, society changes, and now what we have for the very first time is a generation of women, my kind of age, our kind of age, who are more financially independent than our mothers ever were," Vorderman remarked.
She contrasted this with the restrictive norms of her youth, pointing out, "Unlike when I was growing up, if you went into a pub that be one room where the women were allowed to go and another room where only men were allowed to go, there weren't cafes, book clubs, all these different things that people can do." Vorderman also noted the rise in solo travel, suggesting it reflects broader changes in personal autonomy.
Past Relationships and Current Perspective
Carol Vorderman's marital history includes two marriages: first to Royal Navy officer Christopher Mather from 1985 to 1986, and then to Patrick King from 1990 to 2000, with whom she shares two children, Katie and Cameron. She separated from journalist Des Kelly in 2007.
In previous interviews, Vorderman has expressed a strong preference for her current lifestyle. She once admitted she couldn't think of "anything worst than being with a full-time partner," and during a 2022 appearance on This Morning, she described feeling "freer" with her special friendships. "I live my life in chapters," she explained, "and this chapter since I was about 50. So for the last decade or so, I've lived a life which is much freer."
Vorderman emphasized that she does not seek apologies for her choices, insisting she is content with her extended family and close friendships. "I have a wonderful extended family. I have great friends and that's enough," she concluded, while leaving open the possibility for future changes, "I'm not saying that there wouldn't be a time when perhaps that would happen, but I don't ask for anything."
