Singer Sinitta talks to ME & MY MONEY

Sinitta rose to fame in the 1980s, but had so little money in the 1990s that she ended up living in her car.

The British-American singer of the 1986 hit So Macho tells Donna Ferguson that she has never forgotten what it feels like to be homeless.

She is now 60, divorced and lives in a five-bedroom flat in south-west London.

Sinitta has two adopted teenage children, Magdelena and Zac.

She is the founder of Sin's Angels, an exclusive online community for 50+ women.

What did your parents teach you about money?

That love of money was at the root of all evil, which I interpreted at the time as that seeking a lot of money was greedy. They didn't mean that at all.

My mother, Miquel Brown, was in show business – she is an actress, singer and dancer. She is 78 and still working. We're doing a panto together this year, Dick Whittington, at the Esher theater. It's the first time we're on the same show, which will be fun. My father, Anthony Blackett, was a Shakespearean theater and film actor from New Zealand.

I wouldn't say my family was well off, but since my parents worked in show business, we felt comfortable. They weren't superstars, but they made a living performing and didn't have to do other work to supplement their income.

I was born in Washington State, but went to boarding schools in England from the age of nine. It was my idea because I had grown up reading Enid Blyton books about Malory Towers. I thought it would be all midnight parties and apple pie beds. It turned out to be a lot more sober and strict. But I guess it's been good for me in a strange way.

Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?

In 1994 I had no money or a job and my record company had not paid me the next installment of whatever my recording contract was. I wasn't very good with money and I had a five-bedroom house in Fulham, West London, which was a huge amount of pressure. And bailiffs or someone else came and forced me to leave my house.

I don't know who I owed the money to, it might have been my building company. I don't want to go into it, even now.

I know I said to them, “I'll have some money in a few weeks, can you give me some time?” And they still came and kind of took the key.

And so I lived in my car for about six to eight weeks until a payment was made and I could move back in.

I didn't sign up for benefits because I didn't think I would be entitled to them. Moreover, I had a huge sense of shame because I felt that if I was going to be famous, I should also be super rich. Fortunately, I still had a membership at a private members club. I went there to shower, so I looked extremely presentable – and brought food to my bill.

That period, living in my car, had a big impact on me. It was awkward and scary, but most of all I didn't want anyone to know.

Have you ever been given stupid money?

Believe it or not, when I was younger, I didn't really know how much money I made or earned. I wasn't focused on money. I was performance-oriented. And I've never thought 'oh wow, I can't believe they pay me that', because I think I get paid decently for what I do.

I would say that my royalties from my first few hit records probably had the most impact on me, when I felt rich. I went from earning £250 a week in a West End musical to earning so much money that I thought I should buy a house so I can get rid of some of my money.

What was the best year of your financial life?

I toured Japan in 1988 and 1989 and made a significant amount of money. I can't say how much, but I remember Kylie (Minogue) and I were advised to buy houses in Kyoto instead of paying Japanese taxes on the money.

The most expensive thing you bought for fun?

A 1968 Mercedes convertible in bright turquoise for around £30,000 in the 1980s. I bought it on a whim, just because it was pretty and I collected the toy car versions. Driving it made me feel like Penelope Pitstop.

What is your biggest money mistake?

It relates to that house in Fulham. I was presented with a tax bill and even though I had accountants and my career was going well, I didn't have enough in my bank account to pay this bill at once. Instead of seeking advice, I panicked and sold the house to a developer I had met at the Harbor Club, a fancy gym that Princess Diana and all the great people of that era often went to.

I offered to sell it to her for £30,000 less than it was worth, and at the last minute she underpaid me by another £30,000 because she knew I was so keen to sell.

It was quite horrific and traumatic. I had seen a loft-style apartment and realized I could buy it and still pay my tax bill. But I ended up buying that apartment, owing another £30,000.

Luckily, I'm the kind of person who can go through really terrible things, bounce back and look on the bright side.

Best money decision you've made?

Allowing my children's self-appointed godfather, our longtime friend and family colleague (Simon Cowell), to pay for their education. When I adopted them, he announced that he would, and he has been true to his word, which is extremely generous. I remember protesting a lot in the beginning. But in the end it was a great gift. I had no idea how expensive it was to raise two children privately. It was an absolute godsend.

Do you have property?

My home in Fulham, a five-bedroom loft-style apartment I bought in the late 1990s. I also co-own a two-bedroom apartment in New York with my ex-husband Andy Willner. It offers views of Central Park.

If you were the chancellor, what would you do?

I would put women over fifty in charge, because I think women between fifty and sixty come into their own. Our children are being raised, our houses are paid for and we have time to become who we really are, with this whole wealth of information and experience. But I don't think it's used or recognized.

I recently founded Sin's Angels, a website and movement focused on empowering and inspiring women in their older years to start businesses and pursue their dreams. Members get access to the other members who can help them realize their business ideas and potential, so there is a whole gang of over 50 women helping each other. I set it up because I still have so many ideas and so much energy. If I were Chancellor, I would look at that demographic of women and invest in them.

What is your number one financial priority?

Health and a safe home. Good health for me, my mother and my family is the most important thing.

And because I have only recently experienced what it is like to be homeless, I think it is very important that your home is secured.

•For more information about Sin's Angels, see sinsangels.com