The one lesson I’ve learned from life
nancy Dell’olio, 55, walked into the spotlight on the arm of former england football manager Sven-Goran eriksson in 2002. Since their split, she has appeared on Strictly come Dancing and dated theatre director Sir Trevor nunn. She is single and lives in London.
NEVER DWELL ON A MEAN REMARK
I might be known to the public as a famous girlfriend, but what I really like is reinventing myself — as a TV presenter, celebrity, entrepreneur — because it keeps life fresh and interesting.
Unfortunately, that means not everyone likes me, because I refuse to be pigeonholed. ‘Is she pretending to be this or that?’ I get it all the time. I’m used to suspicion. It doesn’t bother me.
When people react in a negative way to you or to what you are trying to achieve, I always think it means they’re jealous. Why else would they bother with the criticism? You British are very good at being cynical: you don’t celebrate anything, but you should — you should be more like the Americans.
the eldest of four children, I was born in New York. my mother was American and my father ran a chain of delicatessens there, but we moved to Italy when I was five. my father was a self-made man who was ambitious and focused on what he wanted in life. I learned from my parents to believe in my potential to do anything I turned my hand to.
Life is a series of starting points, not just one journey. Some people are happy doing the same thing or being in the same job all their life, and that’s fine, but I think it shows a lack of confidence in their abilities and a fear of change.
Change can be scary, and I get that, but it’s the way you learn.
What would I like to do next? I feel drawn towards politics. I like the idea of being in public service and of trying to help dialogue between people.
I’ve met theresa may and she seems like a capable person, the right woman for this moment. People have been critical of her, but she rises above it.
If I am ever upset by an unkind comment or something that gets said about me that is inaccurate, I simply remind myself that no one who made a difference ever did it without criticism.