Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, 61, admits he only has enough money to last him 20 years with his once lavish lifestyle now ‘long gone’: ‘I need to die by 81’

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Although it’s often considered impolite to discuss money, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has been surprisingly open about his own financial situation.

The 61-year-old interior designer revealed he only has enough savings to last two decades, jokingly saying he needs to pass away at 81 or risk ending up in extreme poverty, like something out of a Jane Austen novel.

Laurence shared that the extravagant lifestyle he once led – including luxurious trips to Barbados and excessive spending – is now a thing of the past. He credits overcoming his shopping addiction during lockdown with helping him change his ways.

He said he used to be carefree and unburdened, but as he got older, he had to face the practicalities of managing money.

Financial advisors told me they could ensure I maintain my current lifestyle for twenty years, which essentially means I need to die at 81. Otherwise, I’ll end up completely broke, like someone living in poverty during Jane Austen’s time.

Those days of lavish spending and extravagant trips, like flying first class to Barbados, are over. I managed to overcome my shopping addiction during the lockdown period.

He explained to The Times that people used to enjoy leisurely lunches, then wander through Burlington Arcade, indulging in small, expensive purchases simply because they had the means to do so.

Laurence shares his home with a large family: his wife, Jackie, their two daughters, Hermione and Cecile, their husbands Dan and Drew, and four grandchildren – eight-year-old Albion, three-year-old Demelza, two-year-old Romily, and one-year-old Eleanora.

Laurence and his family share financial responsibilities, and as part of that arrangement, he’s transferred ownership of two-thirds of his country estate to his two sons-in-law.

Last year, Laurence told The Sunday Times that he no longer felt like the owner of a grand estate, describing his unusual living situation.

My daughter, Hermione, pointed out that Cecile and I weren’t listed on the property deeds, which is funny because we’re actually set to inherit it regardless – the ownership technically belongs to our husbands.

Laurence recounted that one of the funniest parts of the situation was having to meet with a lawyer to determine if Jackie and he were being pressured by their sons-in-law. He said their friends find the whole thing unbelievable and often ask what would happen if they all had a falling out.

Yet Hermione explained that while they bicker all the time, they simply have to ‘get over it’. 

Laurence, worth an estimated £8 million, explained his decision to transfer his property now, saying he and his wife didn’t want to end up as unhappy and lonely seniors hoarding wealth.

We have a lot of possessions, but they don’t truly improve our lives. We recognize how fortunate we are, and we’ve actively created this lifestyle for ourselves.

After a frightening experience while watching the Netflix show Bear Hunt, Laurence admitted he was having an existential crisis, which led him to review his money and possessions.

While filming in Costa Rica in May 2024, Laurence participated in a celebrity water challenge that required him to jump from a boat into the river.

However, he became entangled in a bungee rope and got stuck underneath the boat. 

He was pulled under the water for a terrifying few minutes, but the stunt team thankfully rescued him. He briefly lost consciousness during the incident.

Laurence playfully mentioned that his wife, Jackie, teased him about having a ‘mid-life crisis’ when he shared he was going to be in the show.

He chuckled, saying she thought he was having a midlife crisis, but he insisted he was too old for that. ‘This is more like what happens at the end of life,’ he joked.

She’s honestly quite jealous. She’s always wanted to be involved in something like this and has felt a little frustrated that she never received an invitation.

She always carries a SAS Survival Guide in her bag, just in case. I actually meant to bring it with me, but I completely forgot – it was a silly oversight.

You know, I’ve always said a home should feel lived in, and my friend Laurence really embodies that. He recently shared on the ‘My Dirty Laundry’ podcast that he and his wife actually invited their grown children to move back in when their house felt too empty. He described it as feeling like ‘dried peas in a luxury tin’ – a funny way to put it, but it really captures that feeling of wanting more life and warmth in your space. It’s a lovely reminder that home is about connection, not just square footage!

He believes more people would benefit from living with their extended families and welcomes the fact that his home, despite its elegant design, is now full of children’s toys.

We’re definitely not planning to spend our sixtieth year being bored. We want to make the most of our time and live purposefully. He explained that creating a life you enjoy is key to feeling good.

Our house is overflowing with kids and toys – lots of bright plastic and, of course, Peppa Pig!

As someone who’s part of the baby boomer generation, I’ve noticed a real shift in how we think about things. It’s amazing how many of us are reaching our sixties – honestly, it’s a bit of a surprise! And I truly believe more people our age should be embracing life and making the most of it now.

Most people expected us to burn brightly and fade quickly, not to live a long, gradual life and simply grow old.

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2026-03-14 17:34