Former The Apprentice star Luisa Zissman has candidly described the moment she discovered her first husband was being unfaithful, revealing she now views the painful betrayal as a pivotal moment that ultimately led her to true happiness.
From Heartbreak to a New Beginning
Speaking on her LuAnna podcast this week, the 38-year-old businesswoman reflected on the collapse of her first marriage to Oliver Zissman. She explained that she felt 'massively betrayed' after catching him having an affair two years before their official divorce in 2014. The couple, who were married for five years, share a daughter, Dixie, now 15.
Luisa recalled specific details of the infidelity, including her ex-husband lying about his whereabouts and even taking his lover on weekend trips to Amsterdam and Germany. 'It felt more like a punch in the gut because the business was mine and he worked in it,' she told co-host Anna Richardson.
Finding Love with a Multimillionaire
Shortly after her marriage ended, Luisa's life took a dramatic turn for the better. She began dating multi-millionaire businessman Andrew Collins, 59. Their romance began in an unusual way: he bid on her at a charity auction for Shooting Stars Chase, a children's hospice, raising over £3,000.
Andrew proposed in October 2014 during a romantic trip to Paris, presenting her with an eight-carat diamond ring at a candlelit dinner with a view of the Eiffel Tower. The pair married in Dublin in July 2015 and have since welcomed two daughters: Indigo Esme, nine, and Clementine, seven.
Andrew, whose wealth is estimated at £54 million according to the 2017 Sunday Times Rich List, has been described by Luisa as 'so kind.' When podcast host Anna Richardson joked that the listener might also 'marry a multimillionaire,' Luisa responded, 'It's not all about that but it is a bonus.'
A New Chapter in Dubai
After a decade of marriage, Luisa and Andrew are embarking on a significant life change. The family is preparing to relocate from the UK to Dubai, following in the footsteps of other celebrities like Rio and Kate Ferdinand.
They will be leaving behind their £7.5 million Grade II-listed Hertfordshire home, which they purchased shortly after their wedding. The expansive property is managed by a staff of 15, including gardeners, housekeepers, nannies, and an estate manager.
Luisa confirmed that her eldest daughter, Dixie, will remain in the UK to finish her education at boarding school. Their two younger daughters will start school in Dubai in January, while Andrew has already been living there for a year. Luisa cited the desire to escape the cold and for improved personal safety as reasons for the move, stating, 'looking forward to not being cold & being able to walk alone at night safely.'
Reflecting on her journey from heartbreak to her current life, Luisa offered a powerful perspective to listeners: 'I did feel really betrayed... but what I will say is, it really was the best thing that could have happened.'
