Angie Best – ex-wife of footballer George – talks to ME & MY MONEY

Former model and workout video star Angie Best became a Playboy bunny to keep herself busy in the evenings when her husband, the late football player George Best, went to the hospital after a drunken incident. After only two weeks she left the infamous Playboy Club to go on tour with Cher.

She then earned the dumbest paycheck of her life by agreeing to go on Celebrity Big Brother with her son, TV star Callum Best.

Now 70, Angie tells Donna Ferguson that she never saved for retirement and doesn’t own her house. Together with her partner Mark she runs Absolute Best, a cannabidiol (CBD) company.

What did your parents teach you about money?

Nothing. It was not talked about. My mother worked for the government at the VAT office and my father owned betting offices. We had a nice house and I always had everything I wanted. I never even thought about money. So if it was tight or if we couldn’t afford to go somewhere I wasn’t told. I just know I had everything I needed and I was happy.

Have you ever had trouble making ends meet?

No, because you only struggle to make ends meet if you have expectations. I never wanted anything like the latest handbag. I would never spend my last penny on a bottle of wine. I didn’t smoke. So if times were tough, I would just cut out the excess and times weren’t tough.

I became a model when I was 17 and the money I made was great.

My first job was modeling carpets. I remember sitting there and thinking, “Jesus, this is easy and I’m getting paid for it.” I loved every minute. I would go to my desk every Friday to pick up my pay check, go to the bank – and then go straight to Biba, the famous London fashion store, and spend it.

How old were you when you met George Best?

The first time we met I was 18. I was modeling at Olympia. Suddenly there was all this fuss and attention on the other side of the room and the people I was with ran over there to see. I stayed where I was. I was conceited in those days.

The next thing I know, this man walks up to me and starts chatting. I knew who he was, but I didn’t care. I didn’t care about football at that time.

That night he asked me to go to Manchester with him. I said no, absolutely not. And that was it. The next time we met, I was about 23.

I was living at Cher’s house and was invited to a party by Elizabeth Taylor’s boyfriend. I walked in and there were 50 women and five men there. All the men stood in one corner talking to each other and all the women sat across the room.

When I was introduced to George, I remembered that we had met before. I said, “Nice to meet you, but I think you’ll be fine without me here, so I’m going.” And I left. Two weeks later I was told that Mr. Best would like me to come to a party.

How long were you a Playboy Bunny?

Two weeks. That was a time when George had gotten drunk, had an accident outside Harrods and ended up in hospital. I thought, ‘Sod this, I’m free, I have to get a job.’ I wanted something to keep my evenings busy. So I walked right into the Playboy Club and said I wanted a job.

After two weeks at the casino reception, where I got brilliant tips and made a ton of money, I got a call saying it was Cher. She said, “I’m going, I need you.” So I left the next day. I became her fitness trainer and her assistant and I changed her costumes backstage.

Have you ever been paid stupid money?

Yes. I got a nice amount of money for doing Celebrity Big Brother. I also had fun. I was in the house for eight days with my son, Callum. You get paid very good money. I don’t want to say exactly how much because I don’t want people to hate me.

What was the best year of your financial life?

I do not have any. In my mind I was paid what I was worth. Before George I had a really good career and after George I went back to that very good career. Every year of my life I worked very hard and got paid what I deserved.

What’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought for fun?

Some nature-made crystal beads, such as amethysts and lapis lazuli. I bought them for £400 at a crystal show a few years ago. I now make crystal jewelry, which I sell on Etsy.

The best money decision you’ve made?

Investing in myself. When my partner Mark and I started Absolute Best, our CBD company, I decided it was going to be successful. And it does it very well because it is a sensationally fantastic product.

Are you saving for a pension?

No, and I never have. I would say my pension puts my money into my business. I don’t save money. It’s a tool, so I use it. The money goes back to building the business. I’m 70 so I get state pension. I get £160 a month because I haven’t lived in this country for so many years so they won’t give me anything else which is fine.

Do you own real estate?

Of course I do – I own my business, all my jewelry and myself. I don’t own my house. I live in Henley-on-Thames, which is an expensive place, and rent a very modest, cute two-bedroom cottage. I’m looking to buy a farm in Scotland as part of a business deal I can’t say too much about.

What’s the one luxury you treat yourself to?

A very good massage once every six months. Normally I pay €60.

If you were Chancellor, what would you do first?

I would give the money we give to all other countries to small businesses. There’s enough money. I would say no small business tariffs, and I would fund that by cutting foreign aid.

Do you donate money to charity?

Yes, for very small charities at home that support animals and children. Every time I watch TV they want me to save all the animals around the world and give children their smiles and water and help them with their eyes. They want me to protect pangolins and save the polar bear. All abroad. I feel so guilty that they should suffer and I can’t help them enough.

So I want all that money to come back to our country so that we can empower ourselves and therefore help them in a meaningful way, rather than paying the CEOs of those charities big salaries of £200,000 or £300,000 a year.

What is your first financial priority?

Security. To make sure I have a roof over my head.