Twiggy’s husband Leigh Lawson, 83, reveals the secret to his enduring marriage with the model, 75, and why refusing to retire has brought them closer than ever

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It’s been more than four decades since Leigh Lawson and Twiggy first laid eyes on each other. 

Even after 42 years of matrimony, this couple remains remarkably robust, and there’s an intriguing explanation for it.

In an interview with Daily Mail, at 83 years old, Leigh shared that their ongoing professional collaboration has kept their romantic journey ongoing.

Leigh added, “I believe being occupied is crucial, as it seems to improve connections. It appears we’re compatible, and we practically live together.

We really get along well and collaborate on various projects. Our latest endeavor, a musical based on Twiggy’s life called ‘Close-Up’, has been an incredible success.

Recently, Leigh unveiled a collection of autobiographical poems titled “Now and Then.” In addition, he disclosed that his spouse shares the same enthusiasm for continued work.

As her enthusiastic devotee, I find it hard to imagine her stepping back any time soon. She radiates an infectious energy that’s truly inspiring. Just recently, she had not one but two opportunities to grace the cover of Vogue – for both Vogue Portugal and Vogue Greece in January.

I’m incredibly proud of her! She’s an amazing 75-year-old who continues to impress, recently working with Vogue and just returning from Germany’s Next Top Model.

‘The last 42 years of marriage have gone so quickly. When you’re happy, time goes quickly.’ 

While the pair’s love story is one for the ages, they were both previously married before. 

1976 saw Leigh part ways with his spouse Mondy, whereas Twiggy experienced widowhood in 1983 following the passing of her husband, Michael Witney, due to a heart attack.

Leigh expressed that a significant role is played by their marriage’s success. I’m curious if our relationship could have endured as long as it has if we had crossed paths at a younger age.

At the age of forty, our paths crossed, indicating that perhaps my actions were worthy enough for another opportunity. Furthermore, I believe that with increasing years comes an enhanced sense of respect and a greater readiness to find common ground – a willingness to make compromises – in life.

1. “It seems you’re quite adept at offering compliments, and humor might be the secret ingredient keeping things cohesive. We often find ourselves laughing around each other a great deal.”

2. “You’ve got a knack for giving compliments, and it appears that humor is the bond that ties everything together. There’s a lot of laughter shared between us.”

3. “Complimenting comes naturally to you, and humor seems to be the unifying factor in our interactions, as we tend to laugh together often.”

4. “Your ability to offer compliments is impressive, and I suspect it’s the use of humor that keeps us all connected. We have many shared moments of laughter.”

5. “It’s clear that you’re skilled at giving compliments, and humor may be the thread that binds our conversations together. We spend a lot of time laughing with one another.”

6. “You make complimenting look easy, and it appears that humor is what keeps us connected-we share plenty of laughter in our interactions.”

In the Eighties, Twiggy and Leigh came to know each other through a common friend, actor Robert Powell, who organized a dinner date for them.

According to Leigh, after going together, they had a pleasant dinner conversation. However, she teases him now by asking, “But you didn’t ask for my number, did you?” It was unnecessary because he already planned on getting her number from Robert.

Nonetheless, Twiggy’s resolve held strong, as Leigh disclosed that two days later, the iconic model appeared at his doorstep.

This morning, I stepped out to retrieve the newspaper when a stunning woman in a large blue Jaguar pulled up and cheerfully asked, “Hello! Fancy a cup of tea?” Laughing, Leigh replied…

That was it. Who would have guessed, in all of London, she lived just around the corner. Essentially, she rescued me from the streets!

I’m glad to express that we managed without the help of a dating app. It saddens me to think about the challenges young people face today when it comes to expressing interest or flirting, as everything seems to be steeped in political correctness. How do you manage?

As a devoted follower, I’m still prone to making mistakes, and my kids often remind me, “You can’t say things like that anymore.” It seems unfathomable to me how one can casually compliment someone on their attractiveness or beauty. I’m genuinely baffled by your skill in doing so!

In the ’60s, Twiggy was a highly recognized model, and Leigh was among many who admired her beauty and found her attractive.

Or:

Twiggy, renowned as a top model in the ’60s, caught the attention of numerous men, including Leigh, who considered her beautiful.

Upon meeting her, I found my current wife incredibly appealing and highly desirable. After all, who would choose to marry someone they weren’t attracted to?

Upon our initial encounter, she struck me as an exceptionally kind and gracious woman. And to this day, my sentiment remains unchanged – she is truly a lovely individual with a heart full of kindness.

Now, after forty years of marriage, I understand more than ever the significance of sharing friendship and enjoying each other’s company.

In the 1970s, Leigh established himself as an actor, appearing in television series like Travelling Man and Silent Witness, as well as movies such as Sister Moon and Tess.

Through the passage of time, Leigh’s passion for poetry never waned. He has now gathered his most cherished verses together in a fresh publication titled “Now and Then.

He articulated that the magic of both written and spoken words has captivated him since the beginning, playing a significant role in his decision to become an actor.

I find it difficult to follow conversations when they use obscure words that require a dictionary, or references that seem to demand knowledge of ancient Greek mythology.

Expressing certain thoughts can be incredibly effective through poetry, as it serves as both an outlet and a form of therapy. It’s truly beneficial for the spirit.

I believe there were moments in my journey where I found solace in poetry, and it proved incredibly beneficial during tough times and challenges.

He explained that it was his old friend and renowned artist, the late Leslie Bricusse, who inspired him to publish the book at this particular time.

Leigh shared that following Leslie’s passing, he delved into one of his books containing a tale about encountering director Billy Wilder. On his 92nd birthday, when prompted about any regrets, Wilder allegedly replied, “I believe I squandered my eighties.

Leigh clarified, “It may seem a bit dramatic, but I interpreted it as if Leslie was sending a message directly to me.

People are living longer these days, giving us more opportunities to chase our dreams and engage in activities we might not have attempted earlier due to lack of time or self-confidence.

As we grow older, we tend to become less concerned with others’ opinions!

Leigh Lawson’s self-narrative poetry collection, titled “Now and Then,” can be found at Waterstones as well as other reputable book retailers.

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2025-09-13 16:20