Billionaire Mike Ashley's Ex-Wife Linda: The $65 Million Divorce and Their Unexpected Reunion Amid Scandal

Although the extremely affluent pair, who have three offspring together, went separate ways in 2002, Linda retained their sprawling 11-bedroom residence in London and additionally possessed a $65 million estate on a hill in Mallorca.

Mike Ashley, who ranks among the wealthiest individuals in the UK, has an approximate fortune of $4.8 billion, as reported by Forbes.

The unassuming billionaire, aged 60, established Sports Direct Warehouses, which became the nation's leading sports retail chain. He was also known for owning Newcastle United Football Club until he divested his stake in it. Saudi Arabia's In 2021, according to Forbes, he managed a sovereign wealth fund. He is known for being veryprivate—especially regarding his connection to his former wife, Linda, who is originally from Sweden and works as an interior designer.

Who precisely is Linda Ashley, and what’s truly happening with her relationship with her wealthy former partner? Here's everything you should be aware of.

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Their complicated relationship

It’s believed that the pair initially crossed paths during their young adulthood; Mike was working as a squash instructor and had just opened his inaugural Sports Direct store, sources from the Daily Mail indicate. The two ultimately got married in 1989, choosing Linda’s home country of Sweden for their nuptials. However, their relationship concluded in 2002, resulting in what was then considered one of Britain's costliest divorces due to the reportedly £65 million payout.

Following their separation, Linda started dating businessman Simon Brodin, and together they welcomed a son, as reported by Chronicle Live.

In 2014, nearly 12 years since their separation, Mike and Linda once again became the talk of the town as they were seen sharing several intimate dinners in London, igniting speculation about a possible reunion. This gossip was further fueled when Mike showed up at Linda’s 50th birthday bash at her residence in Mallorca in June 2016, according to reports from The Sun.

A rebellious gathering in somber times

Mike and Linda finally showed up publicly for the first time after their divorce at a gathering in 2016, apparently signaling their return as a couple.

Alongside her husband Mike and his attorney, Linda stood in support as he acknowledged the allegations that his warehouse workers were earning below the minimum wage and that substandard working conditions existed within the company, according to reports from Chronicle Live.

He managed to survive the scandal and subsequently changed the name of the Sports Direct parent company to Frasers Group several years afterward following the acquisition of the U.K.'s House of Fraser department store chain, according to Forbes.

Proud mother of four

Linda has three offspring with Mike — their son Ollie works as a DJ and was previously the owner of Radar Radio, their daughter Matilda runs Double Take cosmetics, while his older sibling Anna is wedded to Michael Murray, who took over as the CEO of Frasers.

After leaving the Fraser board in 2022, Murray assumed control of the company from his father-in-law as reported by Forbes. Further cementing familial connections within the retail giant, Matilda is thought to be involved with David Al-Mudallal, COO of Frasers, who joined the board earlier this year as stated by Yahoo Finance.

Linda additionally has an adolescent son from her previous relationship with Simon Brodin.

She sold her properties

In 2016, around the time they were rumored to have reconciled, Linda put up for sale her grand neo-classical 11-bedroom residence in Barnet, located in northern London, which had been awarded to her during the divorce proceedings.

The opulent estate, spanning 11.5 acres, served as the backdrop for raising their family together. It features a multi-level theater, fitness center, an infinity-edge pool, a six-hole golf course, and a ten-pin bowling alley in the basement, according to reports from the Daily Mail.

In the same year, as reported by The Sun, she also listed her US$65 million cliff-side getaway in Mallorca for sale. This seven-bedroom residence, crafted by acclaimed architect Alberto Rubio, spans over three floors. It’s worth noting that her former husband, Mike, was thought to be providing advice to Linda regarding the property's sale during this period.

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