Michelle Mone is a famous name in the UK. She made a lot of money with her lingerie brand, Ultimo. She also became a member of the House of Lords. People loved her story of success. But in 2020, a big problem called the PPE scandal changed how people see her. This scandal involved her and her husband, Doug Barrowman. Some say her net worth in 2025 is £20 million. Others think it’s much more. This article looks at Michelle Mone’s net worth and explains the PPE scandal in simple words. Carrie S. Johnson, a writer with seven years of experience in net worth stories, wrote this to give you clear and honest information.
Who Is Michelle Mone?
Michelle Mone was born on October 8, 1971, in Glasgow, Scotland. She grew up in a poor area called Dennistoun. Life was hard for her family. Her dad got very sick when she was 10. Her younger brother died from a disease called spina bifida. At 15, Michelle left school to help her family. She had no qualifications but started working as a model. Later, she got a job in marketing for a beer company. She did well but lost that job. This pushed her to start her own business.
In 1996, Michelle and her first husband, Michael Mone, started MJM International. They created Ultimo, a lingerie brand. Ultimo became very popular. Stars like Julia Roberts wore her bras. Big stores like Selfridges sold them. Michelle’s story of going from poor to rich inspired many people. In 2015, she joined the House of Lords as Baroness Mone. She was a Conservative peer and seen as a great businesswoman. But the PPE scandal hurt her image.
Michelle Mone’s Net Worth in 2025
Figuring out someone’s net worth is hard. Different websites say different things. For Michelle Mone, some say her net worth is £20 million in 2025. Others think it’s £100 million or even more. Let’s look at where her money comes from.
Where Her Money Comes From
Michelle made her money in a few ways:
- Ultimo Lingerie: Ultimo was her biggest win. She started it in 1996. The bras were special because they had gel inside. They were comfy and popular. In 2014, she sold most of her share in Ultimo. This made her millions. Ultimo closed in 2018, but she had already sold her part.
- Other Businesses: After Ultimo, Michelle tried new things. She sold weight-loss pills. She invested in cryptocurrency, like digital money. She also worked on property projects. These added to her money.
- Speaking at Events: Michelle is a famous businesswoman. She gets paid to speak at events.
- Her Husband’s Money: In 2020, Michelle married Doug Barrowman. He is a very rich businessman. Some say their money together is over £1 billion. This makes her net worth look bigger.
Net Worth Numbers
- £20 Million: Some websites, like the Economic Times, say Michelle’s net worth is £20 million in 2025. This counts her money from Ultimo and other businesses, but not her husband’s wealth.
- £100–£120 Million: Other sites, like Celebrity Net Worth, say her net worth is £88–£102 million (or $120–$130 million). These numbers include money from the PPE scandal and her husband’s wealth.
- PPE Money: Michelle and her husband made £60 million from PPE contracts. Reports say £29 million went to a trust for Michelle and her kids. This makes some think her net worth is higher.
Why Numbers Are Different
Net worth numbers change because it’s hard to know everything. Michelle has private things like houses and trusts. Her husband’s money makes it tricky too. Some only count her money. Others add her husband’s wealth or PPE profits. Without clear records, it’s tough to be sure. Carrie S. Johnson, who has studied net worth for seven years, says this happens a lot with rich people.
The PPE Scandal Explained
The PPE scandal is a big part of Michelle’s story in 2025. It involves a company called PPE Medpro. This company was part of a problem during the COVID-19 pandemic. People got upset, and investigations started. Here’s what happened in simple words.
What Was PPE Medpro?
PPE Medpro was a company started in May 2020. Its job was to sell masks and gowns to the UK government. During COVID-19, hospitals needed these things fast. The government gave contracts to companies quickly. PPE Medpro got two big contracts:
- £80 million for face masks.
- £122 million for gowns.
Michelle used her government connections to help PPE Medpro get these deals. Her husband, Doug Barrowman, ran the company.
Problems with the Contracts
The contracts caused trouble for a few reasons:
- Fast Process: The government used a “VIP lane” to give contracts fast. This meant less checking. Michelle’s connections helped PPE Medpro get picked. Many thought this was not fair.
- Bad Gowns: The £122 million gowns were no good. The NHS said they didn’t meet standards. They were never used. This caused a fight with the government.
- Big Profits: PPE Medpro made £60 million in profit. Reports say £29 million went to a trust for Michelle and her kids. People didn’t like this.
Michelle’s Role
At first, Michelle said she had no part in PPE Medpro. She and her husband said they would sue news outlets that said she did. But in 2023, on a BBC show, she admitted she lied. She said she and her kids got money from the PPE deals. She said lying to the news wasn’t a crime. She also said the money belonged to her husband, not her.
Michelle said she didn’t break any laws. She said the government knew she was involved. But people lost trust in her. They thought she used her position to make money during a hard time.
Investigations and Results
The PPE scandal caused big problems:
- National Crime Agency (NCA): The NCA is looking into PPE Medpro for possible fraud. They want to know how the contracts were given and where the money went.
- Government Lawsuit: The government is suing PPE Medpro for £122 million because the gowns were bad. This case is still going in 2025.
- House of Lords: Michelle lost her role with the Conservative party. She’s on leave from the House of Lords because of the investigation.
- Public Anger: A Channel 5 show in January 2025, called The Michelle Mone Scandal: Where Did Our Money Go?, made people mad. On social media, people said she should go to jail. They felt she misused public money.
Michelle’s Response
Michelle said the BBC show The Rise and Fall of Michelle Mone was unfair. She said it ruined her life. She admitted to lying but said she followed the rules. Her husband, Doug, also said the profits were legal.
How Michelle Built Her Wealth
To understand her net worth, let’s look at her career. Her story shows how she went from a hard life to millions.
Early Life
Michelle started working young. At 15, she modeled to help her family. Later, she worked in marketing for a beer company. She was good at it but lost her job. This made her want to start her own business.
Ultimo’s Success
In 1996, Michelle had an idea. She was at a dinner and wore an uncomfortable bra. She wanted to make a better one. She used £500,000 from savings and loans to start Ultimo. The gel-filled bras were a big hit. Stores like Selfridges sold them. Stars like Kelly Brook wore them. By 2014, when she sold her share, Ultimo made her very rich.
Other Businesses
After Ultimo, Michelle tried new things:
- Weight-Loss Pills: She sold diet products.
- Cryptocurrency: She put money into digital coins.
- Property: She and her husband worked on building projects.
These added to her money but weren’t as big as Ultimo. She also made money speaking at events.
Doug Barrowman’s Role
Michelle married Doug Barrowman in 2020. He is a billionaire. His money comes from property and finance. His wealth makes Michelle’s net worth look bigger. Some say their money together is over £1 billion.
Why the PPE Scandal Is Important
The PPE scandal isn’t just about money. It’s about trust. During COVID-19, people wanted the government to spend money well. Michelle’s role in PPE Medpro made people doubt her. The bad gowns cost the NHS millions. The money going to a trust upset people. The NCA investigation and lawsuit keep this in the news in 2025.
The scandal also shows problems with fast contracts. The “VIP lane” let companies like PPE Medpro get deals quickly. But it wasn’t always fair. Michelle’s government ties made people think she got special treatment.
Michelle Mone’s Public Image
Before the scandal, Michelle was a hero. She was a woman from Glasgow who built a big brand. She got an OBE in 2010 and joined the House of Lords in 2015. But the PPE scandal changed that. In 2025, people on social media are mad. They call her actions “wrong.” Some say she should go to jail.
Michelle still works, though. She and her husband live on the Isle of Man. She speaks at events. Her wealth, even at £20 million, keeps her safe. But her reputation is hurt.
Conclusion
Michelle Mone’s net worth in 2025 is about £20 million, some say. Others think it’s £100 million or more. Her money comes from Ultimo, other businesses, and her husband. The PPE scandal, with £60 million in profits and bad gowns, hurt her name. Investigations are still going. This article, by Carrie S. Johnson, who has seven years of experience, gives you clear, honest facts. Have thoughts on Michelle’s story? Share them below!
Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not legal, financial, or medical advice. The facts and numbers shared here are based on public sources and reports. They may not always be correct or up to date. We do not claim that all details are 100% true. This is not a promotional or affiliate article. We do not earn money if you read or share this. Readers should always check other trusted sources before making any decisions.
