So Macho singer Sinitta: I went from buying a car ‘for fun’ to LIVING in one

SINITTA, the American-born singer of the 80s smash hit song

So Macho, tells Donna Ferguson she has never forgotten how it feels to be homeless. The 60-year-old has two adopted teenage children and says she is very grateful that their ‘godfather’ Simon Cowell pays for their private education.

What did your parents teach you about money?

That a love of money was at the root of all evil, which I interpreted at the time to mean that seeking a lot of money was greedy. That’s not what they meant at all. My mother, Miquel Brown [is] an actress, singer and dancer. She’s 78 and still works. My father, Anthony Blackett, was a Shakespearean theatre and film actor. I wouldn’t say my family was well off but we were comfortable. I attended boarding schools in England from the age of nine.

Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?

In 1994 I didn’t have any money or a job and my record company hadn’t paid me the next instalment of whatever my record deal was. I wasn’t managing money very well. And bailiffs or somebody came, and made me leave my house. And so I lived in my car for a period of about six to eight weeks, until a payment was made and I could move back in.

I didn’t sign on for benefits as I didn’t think I would be entitled, plus I had a tremendous sense of shame because I felt, if I was famous, I should be super-rich as well. Luckily, I still had a membership at a private members’ club. I would go there to shower so I looked extremely presentable – and charge food to my tab. That period had a big impact on me. It was uncomfortable and scary, but above all, I didn’t want anyone to know.

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 being advised to buy houses in Kyoto rather than pay Japanese tax.

The most expensive thing you bought for fun?

A 1968 Mercedes convertible in bright turquoise for about £30,000 in the 1980s. I bought it on a whim, just because it was beautiful and I used to collect the toy car versions. When I drove it, I felt like Penelope Pitstop.

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 all in one go. Instead of getting advice, I knee-jerk panicked and sold the house to a property developer. I offered to sell it to her for £30,000 less than it was worth and then, at the very last minute, she underpaid me a further £30,000 because she knew I was so desperate to sell. It was quite horrific and traumatic.

Your best money decision?

Allowing my children’s self-appointed godfather, our long-time family friend and colleague [Simon Cowell] to pay for their education. I remember protesting a lot at the beginning. But in the end, it’s been a tremendous gift. I had no idea how expensive it was to privately educate two children.

Do you own any property?

My home in London, a five-bedroom loft-style apartment which I bought in the late 1990s. I also have part ownership in a two-bed apartment in New York with my ex-husband.