Meg Mathews

{{Infobox person

| name = Meg Mathews

| birth_name = Meg Mathews

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|03|14|df=y}}

| birth_place = Guernsey, Channel Islands

| education = Sibford School

| occupation = Columnist, activist, entrepreneur

| years_active = 1984–present

| spouse = {{marriage|Noel Gallagher|1997|end=divorce|2001}}

| partner = Peter Sidell (2009–2010)

| children = Anaïs Gallagher

| relatives = Liam Gallagher (former brother-in-law)

}}

Meg Mathews (born 14 March 1966) is an English columnist, activist and entrepreneur. She became known through her former marriage to the musician Noel Gallagher and as the mother of the model and photographer Anaïs Gallagher.

Early life

Meg Mathews was born in Guernsey, Channel Islands{{Cite news |last=Odell |first=Michael |date=6 January 2008 |title=Meg Mathews |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2008/jan/06/features.magazine57 |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}} on 14 March 1966,{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Rebecca |date=26 March 2019 |title=Kate Moss leads pals home early as Primrose Set enjoy dinner not drinks for Meg Matthews birthday |url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/03/26/kate-moss-leads-pals-home-early-primrose-set-enjoy-dinner-not-drinks-meg-matthews-birthday-9017321/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro |language=en-GB}} as the only child to Stanley Mathews, a builder, and his wife, Christine, a secretary.{{Cite news |date=15 March 2005 |title=Meg Mathews: 'Why do they all hate me?' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/meg-mathews-why-do-they-all-hate-me-6212.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220706132418/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/meg-mathews-why-do-they-all-hate-me-6212.html |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}} The family emigrated to South Africa when she was nine years old, where she was raised on a wine farm just outside Stellenbosch in Western Cape.{{Cite web |last=Ewing |first=Sarah |date=26 August 2010 |title=My perfect weekend: Meg Mathews |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/my-perfect-weekend/7966138/My-perfect-weekend-Meg-Mathews.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Telegraph |language=en-GB}}

Mathews attended Sibford School, a Quaker boarding school, from the age of 12, where her friends included the filmmaker Guy Ritchie.{{Cite web |last=D’Souza |first=Christa |date=8 May 2016 |title=Meg Mathews on life under the knife |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/article/full-disclosure-ndwng87wh |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Times |language=en-GB}}

Career

Mathews started her career as a cashier in a branch of the high-end clothes shop Joseph. She was promoted to manager within six months. She had her own fashion PR company by the age of 21.{{Cite news |last=Heawood |first=Sophie |date=18 October 2020 |title=Meg Mathews: 'I feared my colourful 90s life had caught up with me' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/oct/18/meg-mathews-i-feared-my-colourful-90s-life-had-caught-up-with-me |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}} She rose to fame in the Britpop scene while working in music management. She has also worked as an interior designer.{{Cite web |last=Hinds |first=Alice |date=13 October 2020 |title="I thought my wild '90s life had finally caught up with me. Then I learned I wasn't alone": Meg Mathews on the impact of menopause |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/i-thought-my-wild-90s-life-had-finally-caught-up-with-me-then-i-learned-i-wasnt-alone-meg-mathews-on-the-impact-of-menopause/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Sunday Post |language=en-GB}}

Mathews appeared on the thirteenth episode in the final series of the ITV cookery reality show Hell's Kitchen in 2009.{{Cite web |last=French |first=Dan |date=27 April 2009 |title=Bafta TV Awards audience down 1.3m |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a154041/bafta-tv-awards-audience-down-13m/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}

Mathews appeared on the Channel 4 entertainment programme Time Crashers in 2015. The programme, presented by Tony Robinson and Cassie Newland, sees Mathews, with nine other celebrities, transported to different historical settings where they experience the life of the 'lower' classes and are set tasks relating to that era.{{Cite web |last=Mead |first=Charles |date=23 August 2015 |title=Time Crashers: Meet the celebrities |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/time-crashers-meet-the-celebrities/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}

Mathews launched MegsMenopause, a platform dedicated to breaking the stigma{{Cite news |last=Mathews |first=Meg |date=29 April 2021 |title=Meg Mathews: Everything you ever wanted to know about HRT but were too afraid to ask |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/meg-mathews-everything-ever-wanted-know-hrt-afraid-ask/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_psc_ppc_google_core_generic_broad_dsa_content_CatchAll&rm_id=RM_News_UK_Search_Ads_Bau_Core_DSA_CatchAll&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADAty5AKIvtdkGcAzmHsKTcvCQGPH&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlbW-BhCMARIsADnwaso-w0vQNt5OYiSCgGcFm-u9GT5MC5SBr01nc9CJMf8651i2LvPfAB8aAhUwEALw_wcB |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} around the menopause,{{Cite web |last=Ramsdale |first=Suzannah |date=24 April 2019 |title='I spent three months sitting in my house feeling s**t': Meg Mathews on why she's loud and proud to talk about menopause |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/health/meg-matthews-megs-menopause-intimate-beauty-range-interview-a4080466.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Standard |language=en-GB}} in 2018.{{Cite news |last=Hill |first=Amelia |date=28 August 2019 |title=Meg Mathews: We need to talk about the menopause as loudly as we can |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/28/we-need-to-talk-about-the-menopause-as-loudly-as-we-can-says-campaigner |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

Mathews wrote her first book, The New Hot: Taking on the Menopause with Attitude and Style ({{ISBN|9780593129364}}), which was published by Ebury Publishing in October 2020.{{Cite web |date=7 October 2020 |title=a mission to help mid-life women |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/health/a-mission-to-help-mid-life-women-3004128 |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Yorkshire Post |language=en-GB}}

Personal life

Mathews married the musician Noel Gallagher (born 1967) in a secret ceremony at the Little Church of the West, the oldest wedding chapel on the Las Vegas Strip, on 5 June 1997.{{Cite news |last=Brace |first=Matthew |date=6 June 1997 |title=Noel and Meg tie the knot in Vegas |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/noel-and-meg-tie-the-knot-in-vegas-1254484.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220707055548/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/noel-and-meg-tie-the-knot-in-vegas-1254484.html |archive-date=7 July 2022 |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}} Her brother-in-law was the singer and songwriter Liam Gallagher (born 1972).{{Cite web |last=Rosseinsky |first=Katie |date=28 August 2024 |title=Partying, affairs and very expensive splits: the story of the Gallaghers' tumultuous marriages |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/oasis-liam-noel-gallagher-divorce-bill-wife-sally-mash-b2602495.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en-GB}} The pair met in 1994 through her roommate, the MTV presenter Rebecca de Ruvo, whom Gallagher was dating at the time and whom he left for Mathews.{{Cite web |last=Kemp |first=Ellie |date=15 January 2023 |title=Noel Gallagher's love life... his previous wives and girlfriends |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/noel-gallaghers-love-life-previous-25978670.amp |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en-GB}} They lived at Supernova Heights on Steele's Road in Belsize Park.{{Cite web |last=Watson |first=Shane |date=13 April 2012 |title=Motherhood, Kate Moss and me... |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/motherhood-kate-moss-and-me-7295992.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Standard |language=en-GB}} Their only child, a daughter, Anaïs Gallagher,{{Cite web |date=7 May 2008 |title=Meg Mathews talks about daughter Anais |url=https://people.com/parents/meg-matthews-ta/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=People |language=en-GB}} a model and photographer, was born at Portland Hospital in Westminster, Greater London on 27 January 2000.{{Cite news |last=Hartley-Brewer |first=Julia |date=28 January 2000 |title=Oasis star 'over the moon' after birth of baby Anais |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jan/28/juliahartleybrewer |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |date=27 January 2000 |title=Oasis Noel becomes a father |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/620980.stm |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} She named their daughter after her favourite writer, Anaïs Nin.{{Cite web |date=28 January 2000 |title=Anais Nin: What's the story? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/622085.stm |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} The couple separated in September 2000{{Cite web |date=6 September 2000 |title=Noel and Meg split up |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/911978.stm |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Allison |first=Rebecca |date=6 September 2000 |title=Noel Gallagher and wife split |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/sep/06/rebeccaallison |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |date=7 September 2000 |title=Noel and Meg deny custody battle |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/915011.stm |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} and divorced on 19 January 2001,{{Cite news |date=19 January 2001 |title=A rock-and-roll marriage |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1125954.stm |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} after three-and-a-half years of marriage, on the grounds of Gallagher's adultery with the Scottish publicist Sara MacDonald,{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Rachael |date=14 January 2023 |title=Noel Gallagher splits from wife Sara MacDonald after 22 years together |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/14/noel-gallagher-splits-from-wife-sara-macdonald-after-22-years-together-18099174/amp/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Metro |language=en-GB}} whom Gallagher met at the Ibiza nightclub Space in June 2000.{{Cite news |date=18 January 2001 |title=Noel denies adultery claim |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1124665.stm |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} After their divorce was finalised, Gallagher said that he had never actually been unfaithful and had only said he had cheated on Mathews to speed up the divorce process.{{Cite news |date=19 January 2001 |title=Noel and Meg finally divorce |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1125485.stm |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Mathews was a member of the Primrose Hill set.{{Cite web |last=Craik |first=Laura |date=1 June 2015 |title=Primrose Hill: the NW1 set has lost its cool |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/primrose-hill-the-nw1-set-has-lost-its-cool-10281553.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Standard |language=en-GB}} Her daughter is considered to be a member of the next generation Primrose Hill set.{{Cite web |last=O'Malley |first=Katie |date=21 June 2017 |title=The New Primrose Hill Set: A Who's Who Of The Millenials Taking Over From Their Famous Parents |url=https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/news/a36591/primrose-hill-set-celebrity-children/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=ELLE |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Mills |first=Simon |date=20 September 2017 |title=Have you met the new Primrose Hill set? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/have-met-new-primrose-hill-set/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}

Mathews announced her engagement to Peter Sidell, who is the owner of a Knightsbridge menswear shop The Library and an arts professor at the Royal College of Art, in May 2009,{{Cite web |date=18 May 2009 |title=Meg Matthews reveals engagement exclusively to HELLO! |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/20090519722698/hello-1073-matthews/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=HELLO! |language=en-GB}} after a six-month relationship. He proposed on top of the Empire State Building in Manhattan, New York City.{{Cite web |last=Klompus |first=Jack |date=17 May 2009 |title=Meg Mathews to wed boyfriend Sidell |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a156183/meg-mathews-to-wed-boyfriend-sidell/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Hattersley |first=Giles |date=2 August 2009 |title=At home with trend setter Meg Matthews |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/at-home-with-trend-setter-meg-matthews-6qwxxxfmj98 |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Times |language=en-GB}} She was planning their wedding for 2010.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Tim |date=7 August 2010 |title=Meg Matthews plans an untraditional wedding |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/7930636/Meg-Matthews-plans-an-untraditional-wedding.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Telegraph |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Macdonald |first=Marianne |date=20 March 2010 |title=Meg Matthews on remarrying 10 years after splitting from Noel Gallagher |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/meg-matthews-on-remarrying-10-years-after-splitting-from-noel-gallagher-6mk6s6shsp0 |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Times |language=en-GB}} The couple separated in November 2010.{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Taryn |date=30 November 2011 |title=Meg Matthews still friends with former fiance |url=https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/Meg+Matthews-102293.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Female First |language=en-GB}}

Mathews lives in Newquay, Cornwall.{{Cite news |last=Mathews |first=Meg |date=23 April 2021 |title='Who said the UK is all booked up? It's as quiet as ever here in Newquay' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/said-uk-booked-quiet-ever-newquay/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}

On 7 July 2023, Mathews was arrested on charges of drink-driving after she crashed her yellow Jeep Wrangler into a parked car following a book signing in Nansledan. She was breathalyzed at the scene of the crash, which caused minor damage, and found to be over the legal limit.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Daniel |last2= |date=11 July 2023 |title=Pictures show Noel Gallagher's ex-wife Meg Mathews' arrest after alleged drink-driving Cornwall crash |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/pictures-show-noel-gallaghers-ex-8589935.amp |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Cornwall Live |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Daniel |date=11 July 2023 |title=Noel Gallagher's ex-wife Meg Mathews charged with drink-driving after Cornwall crash |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/noel-gallaghers-ex-wife-meg-8589879.amp |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Cornwall Live |language=en-GB}} She appeared before Cornwall Magistrates' Court in Bodmin, where she pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a motor vehicle with an alcohol level above the limit. She was banned from driving for 20 months,{{Cite web |last=Minchin |first=Rod |date=28 July 2023 |title=Meg Mathews banned from roads for drink-driving after book launch |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/newquay-cornwall-noel-gallagher-bodmin-magistrates-b2383760.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en-GB}} fined £440, and ordered to pay a £176 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.{{Cite web |date=28 July 2023 |title=Meg Mathews fined and given ban after drink-driving crash |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72vjp3kyrjo.amp |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=1 August 2023 |title=Noel Gallagher's ex Meg Mathews banned from driving after drunken Cornwall crash |url=https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2023-08-01/noel-gallaghers-ex-meg-mathews-handed-driving-ban-after-drunken-crash |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=ITVX |language=en-GB}}