Mary Portas, the renowned retail expert famously known as ‘Mary, Queen of Shops,’ has made a touching revelation about her family during an emotional interview on Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast. The 65-year-old, who lives near Stroud, shared that her brother Lawrence is the biological father of her youngest son, Horatio.
In a candid conversation, Mary explained that when she and her former partner Melanie Rickey decided to have a child, it was important to Mary that the baby share a biological connection with her existing children. Mary, who is also mother to twins Mylo and Verity from her previous marriage to Graham Portas, wanted to maintain a “bloodline” within her family.
Mary described the unique decision to ask her brother Lawrence, who had no desire to have children of his own, to be the sperm donor. “He looked after me. It was a real symbiosis,” she said, recalling the moment he completed the donation with a cheerful, “Done it, sis!”
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Horatio, who was carried by Melanie and born in 2012, strikingly resembles the family. Although Lawrence now lives abroad, he remains closely connected, frequently speaking about football with his nephew. Mary playfully added, “God, it’s so boring!”
She grew emotional recounting the moment Lawrence first held Horatio: “It was his gift to me. God, I get emotional. It was the greatest gift.” Their deep familial bond shines clearly through their story.
Mary and Melanie separated after 17 years together, amicably co-parenting their three children. The pair sold their north London home and made a public statement emphasizing their commitment to maintaining a positive relationship for the sake of their family.
Mary’s journey in love and family is marked by honesty and warmth. She reflected on discovering her authentic self through her relationship with Melanie, noting how many women she met described their own fluid journeys in love. “I do love women,” Mary said, expressing pride in her family and path.