Twiggy has shown an uncanning ability to re-invent herself. The ‘Face of 66’ gave up modelling to become an actress first in film with the ‘Boy Friend’ - for which she won two Golden Globes - and then on stage. Her performance on Broadway in ‘The One and Only’ was nominated for a Tony. She lives in London with her husband Leigh Lawson. He is also an actor and amongst his celebrated roles is Alec D’Uberville in Polanski’s film Tess.
Twiggy:
Somebody upstairs must have been looking after me. In 1985, I was physically exhausted from eighteen months on Broadway and emotionally exhausted from the toughest time ever. My first husband was a chronic alcoholic. I’d tried many times to sort it out but Michael was hell bent of destruction. Finally I couldn’t cope with his lies and perform each night, so we had separated. On the day before Carly’s fifth birthday Michael took her out for supper, so she was with him when he had a massive heart attack and died. It was very traumatic - mainly for her. When the show finished, I came back in England for a film. The last thing I needed was another man in my life, but that’s when you meet someone!
I went out for dinner at Caprice with three friends. At another table I spotted Jonathan Pryce - who I’d been working with - so went over to say hello. Immediately this handsome man stood up. It was Leigh who reminded me that we’d met ten years earlier at a John Denver concert. Even back then I’d thought him really dishy, but he was with Hayley and I was with Michael so nothing romantic crossed my mind. This time the chemistry must have been obvious because I remember telling my friends to stop trying to pair me off. I was content. Carly was the centre of my life and she was doing fine. But I must have been curious because I bought a magazine with a big interview with Leigh. I learnt he had been alone for two years and after the trauma of the break-up was not interested in seeing anyone seriously for the next ten years!
Three days later Robert Powell and his wife Babs, who used to be in Pan’s People, invited me to a restaurant in Chelsea. By a string of amazing coincidences, Leigh was invited too. We chatted and laughed but on paper he was trouble. Who in their right mind would trust a gorgeous actor? I was no longer an eighteen year old about to jump in head first, and I had to be certain any new man would make a wonderful Dad to Carly. So I let him slip away again. Fate had other ideas. As it happened, we lived just two streets away from each other in Kensington. A few days later, I’d been to see the headmaster of Carly’s new school; spotted Leigh on the curb and this time picked him up.
It didn’t take long for Leigh to change my opinion of actors! When his flat move fell through, I’d found a wonderful place near Earl’s Court. We were getting on so well I suggested buying together - which could so easily have been a big mistake. However once again it was meant to be - my table matched Leigh’s chairs. I had the piano, he had the sofa. Whatever I didn’t have he did. It was so weird. Leigh is the most home loving man I’ve ever met; ever so tidy and neat - I’m not.
I soon realised that I’d never truly been in love before. I didn’t have the teenage years of experimenting with boys. With Justine, my manager / boyfriend, very early on I knew it was more like dependency. I was only twenty three when I met Michael, just coming out of eight years with someone who totally looked after me, and terrified of being on my own. Finding deep real love with Leigh could have been frightening, but I never doubted I was finally coming home.
Living with Leigh, I’ve had to admit to being bossy. We enjoy cooking together, but he will be chopping the vegetables ‘the wrong way’ or putting them into the pan in ‘the wrong sequence.’ I can’t stop myself. My motto is if you want it done right do it yourself. Leigh’s used to my ways and normally tells me to concentrate on my part of the meal. I can be irritating but generally he is grateful that I’m a good organiser.
Although I was one of those rare breeds that actually loved school, my formal education ended at sixteen when I was snatched from obscurity. Not sitting O levels - like I’d been planning - made me easily intimidated by anybody with lots of qualifications. But that all changed after meeting Leigh, now I feel secure anything is possible.
Leigh:
I thought Twiggy was absolutely gorgeous - but as one of the most beautiful woman in the world I knew everybody would be after her phone number. Despite fate throwing the two of us into the same restaurant twice in one week, I said goodnight and let her walk away. Perhaps I lacked confidence; perhaps my heart had just got out of intensive care; perhaps she wasn’t giving the green light. Although these days Twigs claims she was disappointed that I didn’t ask for her number - but she’s got to say that! Any way, five days later I went to the newsagents for my morning paper and this big blue jag - with a exquisite blond inside - pulled up by the curb. It was Twiggy. She wound down the window and said: ‘do you want a cup of tea.’ Even I knew this was the green light! In one of my first school reports my teacher wrote: easily discouraged. It seems I haven’t changed that much.
We took it terribly gently. Out to the theatre; dinner with friends and had a lovely Sunday with both our kids on a boat down the river - so they were included right from the very beginning. When Hayley and I finished, I decided any plan for Saturday and Sunday had to involve Ace or I didn’t go. Ace and Carly had a great time; Twigs was beautiful; she made me laugh and lived round the corner - what more could I want?
We feel terribly blessed that our children get on so well together. I remember when we asked if they minded us getting married. Twiggy was filming in London and we were all in her trailer. Carly must been 8 and Ace 11. His face beamed. Carly’s reaction was: ‘great that means Ace will be my real brother.’ They grabbed hands, ran out of the trailer and skipped hand-in-hand up the road together. Kids don’t do that sort of thing to give you a good feeling. They really meant it. Twigs and I stood watching them through the window, with tears in our eyes. Then we hugged and kissed, because it meant we had permission to get married.
I was doubly lucky because Carly is everything a dad could wish for - and you don’t always get that when it’s your own flesh and blood. She’s brilliant fun; loving; kind. In a strange way, I feel that Michael looked down and entrusted me with her welfare. I take that responsibility very seriously. Fortunately I once met him. Carly loves it that I knew Michael, if only briefly. Actually, a lot of the praise for our relationship working has to also go to Ace. He suddenly had this other family and I had another child who was living with me full-time. However he embraced it and later came to live with us. We’re really a very normal family. Our happiest moments are when we’re sitting round the dinner table together.
If Twiggy is bossy, I can be obstinate. When Carly first went off to university, and like most kids was having a rough time, I had the impression she was talking to her mum about chucking in the towel. No way - not after just a few weeks! I was very opinionated, because I know students who’ve regretted that for the rest of their lives. Carly just hated being away from home. Twigs knew I was right - in her heart - but having her daughter sobbing and crying on the phone at night was tearing her apart. Every time Twigs opened a newspaper and read about a student committing suicide she started panicking. Believe me, Twigs knows how to panic! My strategy was that not that Carly had to stay for three years - but to give it longer. I finally convinced Twigs not to crumble - but she came close. Sometimes being stubborn is an advantage, because Carly really enjoyed her course and graduates this summer.
I’ve never been concerned that Twiggy has a bigger profile. I don’t quite know why. Some men are even threatened by their wife working. Occasionally people rush up who’re dying meet Twigs, and I’m pushed out of the way, but it doesn’t really bother me. I just think how rude. I love her celebrity and anyway she’s much better at it than I would been. In fact I seldom agree to interviews because I want the spotlight on Twiggy - this is her time and the skin care range is very much her product. I’m so proud. We were at an award ceremony and all these high profile names came up and told us how much they loved the product. I even use it myself. Sometimes I shave at night, but after shave makes my skin really sore so I tried Twiggy’s night cream and had a fabulous night’s kip.
When we first met, I thought Twiggy couldn’t be that lovely all the time - but she is. One of the kindest people I’ve ever met; genuinely funny and OK she can be a bit bossy but I’ve learnt to stand up for myself. These have been the best sixteen years of my life. The only problem: when you’re happy - and things are doing well - time goes so quickly.
First published in Woman & Home.
For more information about how looking back can help revive your relationship, see Chapter Fourteen ‘How to bond again’ in Andrew’s book ‘I love you but I’m not in love with you.’