Once living the high life in Essex, “Lotto wife” Michelle Oakes has swapped her mansion and glamour for a cosy caravan by the sea. Known for her flashy lifestyle following a £1m Lotto win, Michelle now finds contentment in a 36ftx12ft static caravan, cuddling with her Labradoodles and moggy.
Michelle’s rollercoaster life saw her married five times, starting with forklift operator Simon Corne, leading to her romance with taxi driver and doorman Gary Brand, who struck Lotto gold. Their sudden riches meant a dreamy life filled with lavish holidays and luxurious cars. Yet, their love story fizzled, and Michelle found herself on a journey through several more marriages, each bringing its own twists and turns.
From marrying a builder she met on Plenty of Fish, to running a burger van, and later becoming a carer, Michelle’s journey reflects a hunt for true happiness rather than material wealth. With three sons from various relationships, she’s embraced her new reality and is celebrating a fresh outlook as she nears 60, having shed the stones gained during trying times, and vowing never to marry again.
Despite life’s ups and downs, Michelle treasures her simpler lifestyle. She quips how her entire home matches the size of her former lounge but couldn’t be happier. “On paper, I’ve lost everything,” Michelle says. “But I am the happiest I’ve ever been.”
Her life philosophies are inked on her arms: “Even on my darkest day, I will stand tall and find sunshine” and “Never let your past define your future,” which serve as constant reminders of what truly matters.
While admitting she misses high-end vacations and occasionally splurges on pampering, for Michelle the essence of happiness lies in leading a life free from the pressures of her past glamorous existence. It’s not about the diamonds anymore but the cherished moments in her modest sanctuary by the sea.