Angie Best

Angela MacDonald "Angie" Best (née Janes; born 26 July 1952) is an English model and former Playboy Bunny, probably best known as the first wife of footballer George Best.

Biography

Born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, Angela MacDonald Janes was the elder daughter of Marion (née MacDonald) and Robert William Brough Janes. She has a younger sister, Lynne, and two half-brothers, Michael, from her father's first marriage, and Noel Robert Janus (born Janes) (1949–2009), from a previous relationship of her father. Noel's daughter is also actress Samantha Womack. She became a model, and then a "Bunny" at the Playboy Club in London.^[1] She was then invited to New York City to model, before traveling to Los Angeles, California as a model and physical fitness trainer.

She met George Best at a dinner party in Los Angeles in 1975 when he was signing to play for the Los Angeles Aztecs, and it was "love at first sight". They moved to London in 1976. When she returned to Los Angeles, George followed and persuaded her to marry him; she did on 24 January 1978. The marriage produced son Calum in 1981, but they separated the following year and divorced in 1986, Best having had a lot of problems with George's alcohol abuse and domestic violence.^[2]

After relocating to Los Angeles, Best went back full-time to her fitness career, producing and starring in her own workout videos, and starring on television in shows and series for Sky TV and others. She fitness coached and trained celebrity clients, including pop star Cher and actresses Sharon Stone and Daryl Hannah. She has written a series of books for over 40s women, including one regarding menopause called A Change For the Best.

In 2000, the poorly reviewed George Best biopic, Best, had Patsy Kensit portray Angie Best. Angie Best said of the film: "I haven't been consulted at all, even though it shows my life." In response, in 2002, Best wrote her autobiography George and Me: My Autobiography, the hook line for which was: "I didn't realise that six years of marriage would last a lifetime." She not only detailed the marriage, but life afterwards where she claimed to have tried to remain in contact with George, offering support and advice to help him conquer his alcohol addiction. Despite everything George put her through, Angie still claimed in the book: "I remain good friends with George. He is the only man I ever loved."^[3] When George Best died in November 2005, she attended the funeral with a single red rose, and was the only ex-wife at his graveside – second wife Alex Best was isolated by Best's family.

References

External links

• Personal website