Fashion deals worth MILLIONS and dropping a massive two-year project with her sister – how Holly Willoughby is the savviest woman in showbiz
Holly Willoughby is a sharp as they come when it comes to striking deals worth millions
WITH her beaming mega-watt smile and warm-hearted nature, Holly Willoughby is the nation’s sweetheart who everybody wants to sit next to on the sofa.
But don’t underestimate the mum of three - she’s one shrewd operator when it comes to business.
Last week when she announced she was leaving her much anticipated lifestyle brand, Truly, just weeks ahead of its launch – everyone, including her business partners, were left in shock.
While Holly told Piers Morgan that the reason behind her sudden departure was to spend time with her family - it transpires that in leaving Truly she also walked away from her big sister Kelly - also a founding director of the company, who she has previously described herself as being ‘incredibly close’ to.
It's not known if Kelly was told prior to Holly's Instagram announcement that she was leaving the brand.
A source close to Holly told Sun Online: "The thing that's baffled everyone was the fact a significant amount of the hard work had already been done. Relatively speaking, the launch should have been plain sailing.
Here, we look at Holly's major money moves - and how she's become the savviest woman in showbiz.
Making money moves
Holly’s fortune is set to rise even further as she joins I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here later this year.
Last year’s hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly reportedly raked in £2.5 million each.
On top of her jungle debut, money-maker Holly also signed a six-figure deal with Diet Coke last year, has an £80,000 gig as the face of Oral B, is the face of beauty brand Garnier, and has just become an ambassador for mega-retailer Marks and Spencer.
Holly, 37, who is the perfect ‘every day woman’ for big brands, has added an estimated £1.5 million to her existing £11 million fortune this year with her various business deals.
Holly also earns £600,000 a year from her This Morning hosting job and another £150,000 per series of Celebrity Juice.
But the savvy business woman doesn’t stop there.
Before announcing she would be launching Truly, Holly previously collaborated on a bedding range with Dunelm and a clothing line with Very.co.uk.
Pulling the plug on her brand - and her sister
Leaving just weeks before the launch of the brand - which has been compared to Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP -Holly shared her concerns over having to sacrifice time spent with her family.
The presenter shares three children with her producer husband Dan Baldwin – Harry, nine, Belle, seven, and Chester, four.
Telling Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan: “It was a decision that had to be taken, really – family comes first”, what Holly didn’t reveal, is that her older sister, Kelly Foster, is also a registered director of the lifestyle brand.
So far, Kelly, 40, who collaborated on a book series ‘School for Stars’ with sister Holly in 2014, has remained silent on her role in the company.
But business partner and long-term friend Peter is said to be ‘furious’ by her sudden decision and he and wife Tara Capp, a long-term friends of Holly’s, have been left with a ‘warehouse full of products’.
A source close to Holly told Sun Online: "Everyone was stunned when she dropped Truly, even some of her closest confidantes. It was a massive shock and really doesn't make any sense at all.
"She has been absolutely engrossed in the project for the best part of two years. Holly loved the concept and was completely invested in it."
They added: "She's not the kind of person to just put her name and picture to something, she takes a proper interest and wants a certain amount of creative control.
"Family is incredibly important to her and of course she wants to spend more time with them, but she's just signed for I'm A Celeb, which will be one of the busiest months of her life, so that doesn't quite add up."
Holly was reportedly set to double her fortune through her involvement, and is still listed as a CEO at Companies House.
Savvy Holly also made sure the company paperwork stated that she must be present at all board meetings for the brand.
While many celebrities lend their names to brands, Holly is listed as CEO and Director, meaning all decisions would have to be made with her permission.
Her role as ‘director’ is still listed as active, so there's a possibility Holly could still retain profits at this stage.
Into the jungle
Holly stated in her Instagram post last week that working on Truly would cut into valuable family time.
In an Instagram post she wrote: “To launch a brand needs total dedication, and at the moment, with so many other commitments, this is not something I feel I can do without it starting to affect my family time at home”.
Yet she has previously revealed how she works in the mornings between Monday and Thursday and takes all of the school holidays off - even calling herself ‘part-time’.
Some Instagram fans are slamming her for putting business over family when it comes to her new role on I’m A Celebrity, as she’s thought to be taking her children out of school to join her in Australia.
One follower wrote: “Well isn’t she the lucky one for her children to be able to take so much time out of school, when anyone other parent would get fined for taking them out.”
While both Holly and Phil were hotly tipped to take over from Ant McPartlin to host I’m A Celebrity…, in August it was announced that Holly alone would be joining existing host Declan Donnelly.
Phil will now present the ITV morning show with a new co-host – a tough job considering Holly’s popularity with viewers and the chemistry between the two - and face a potential ratings drop as favourite Holly heads to Australia.
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Meanwhile, although Holly’s salary has not been disclosed, it's thought she'll earn hundreds of thousands of pounds from her stint in the jungle.
And Holly is no stranger to fighting for a pay rise.
Last year she demanded a £200,000 rise, taking her salary £600,000 - the same as Philip’s salary.
One thing is for sure, Holly is still one of the most sought after presenters, and she’s not about to let anybody stand in her way.
Sun Online have contacted Holly's reps for comment.