Mandy’s big break
Snooker legend’s jilted ex-wife sells off her jewellery, wedding china – even her beloved horse Ruby – to open up boutique and finally put failed marriage behind her
STEPHEN Hendry’s jilted ex-wife sold her wedding china to open a fashion boutique, friends claim.
Mandy Hendry also flogged her beloved horse Ruby and treasured jewellery so she could launch the venture.
The mother of two was keen to make a fresh start after her divorce from the snooker ace.
Mandy’s shop Ruby’s Boutique is in Auchterarder, Perthshire. She has lived near the town for 20 years. Seven-times world champion Stephen moved out of their luxury family home after their marriage broke down.
Mandy is said to feel “truly blessed” to have the support of locals in Auchterarder for her fashion venture.
She and Stephen, 49, parted in 2013, amid claims he had been having an affair with Lauren Thundow, a former children’s entertainer 20 years his junior.
Stephen and Lauren now live together in the south of England.
His wealth from his glittering career is said to top £10million.
Friends of Mandy say she did much of the preparation work for opening the boutique herself. That included painting the premises.
One pal said: “She’s gone through a really tough time, awful, in fact.
“But she’s loving her life now, making her own way. She’s enjoying not living in someone else’s shadow.
“He broke her heart and she probably won’t ever truly get over what he did.
“But the man she once loved more than anything is not the person everyone thinks he is.
“They had a brilliant marriage and it was like being hit by a train when she found out he’d been having an affair.
“Within a heartbeat, he had everything he wanted and she was surplus to requirements.
“But she’s a strong person and a survivor.
“She’s worked hard to pick herself up for her sons, whom she loves to bits, and she’s really proud of what she’s achieved.
“Nothing has been handed to her on a plate to make this happen.
“It frustrates her that people might think differently. She’s done it all herself and that feels really good.”
Mandy’s two passions are horses – she is an accomplished rider – and fashion.
She opened Ruby’s Boutique in November.
She has spoken publicly only once about the collapse of her marriage, when she said she was “heartbroken”.
Mandy added: “Following Stephen’s retirement, I had been looking forward to spending more time as a family, watching our boys grow up together.
“I am heartbroken that Stephen has made the decision to leave the marital home, relocate to England and pursue a new relationship with someone else.”
Stephen and Mandy met as teenagers in 1984 in Wales, where both were attending a snooker competition at a holiday camp.
They married in Perthshire in 1995.
Hendry’s autobiography Me and the Table, about his 27-year career in snooker, is due to be published soon.