Who is Reform UK leader Nigel Farage?
Nigel Farage has made a shock announcement, saying he will stand in the General Election and take over as the leader of Reform UK. But who is he?
Some might remember the Brexiteer and his antics on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here.
The ex-Ukip leader swapped politics for reality TV last year, but he has dabbled into media years before, with his own show on LBC and presenting on GB News.
GB News became his new home after he resigned as the leader of Reform UK in 2021.
On Monday, Farage confirmed he will stand in the General Election after all – a bombshell U-turn after he had said just some days before that he would not stand because it was ‘not the right time.’
He has expressed support for former US President Donald Trump who was recently found guilty in the hush money trial.
But what does Farage’s life look like beyond politics?
The 60-year-old has joked before was not afraid of the I’m a Celebrity jungle after dealing with ‘snakes in the European Parliament,’ LBC reported.
He described himself as ‘a hero to some people and an absolute villain to millions.’
Despite happily joining the celebrity jungle, Farage was less thrilled about being compared to ex-health secretary Matt Hancock, who appeared on SAS: Who Dares Wins.
How rich is Nigel Farage?
Farage, who first worked as a commodities trader after leaving school in 1982, has reportedly made some money during his decades-long career.
He has reportedly accumulated a net worth of around £3,200,000, according to Celebrity Net Worth website.
While considered a millionaire, the Reform UK leader’s wealth is far behind that of the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty boast a fortune of £651,000,000, according to i News citing The Sunday Times Rich List.
Farage is reportedly the highest paid ever on I’m A Celebrity after banking £1,500,000 for his appearance on the show, MailOnline reports.
It was despite fans threatening to boycott the series due to Farage’s divisive views.
The politician appears to be on Cameo, a website where anyone can pay to receive personalised messages from famous figures and celebrities.
Nige Farage account offers custom videos for $90 (£70) a pop, including birthday greetings and ‘roasts.’
The description on the account says ‘They call me Mr Brexit…some people say I am controversial, and I couldn’t care less.’
Nigel Farage’s family and relationships
London resident Farage has been married twice and he has four children.
The right-wing politician has been romantically linked to Laure Ferrari, who is in her mid-40s.
He married to Gráinne Hayes in 1988 and the pair had two children before divorcing in 1997.
Kirsten Mehr and Farage tied the know in 1999 and the couple share two children, who reportedly have both British and German passports thanks to their parents’ nationalities.
Ferrari, who is French, and Farage first met when the politician was a member of the European Parliament in 2007 in Strasbourg where Ferrari studied while working as a waiter, according to Sky News.
But the pair have been romantically linked since 2017 after reports that they were sharing his London home.
They made their first public appearance together in December last year after Farage left the celebrity jungle.
She greeted him on a bridge outside the camp, giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek.
Farage was allegedly offered a ‘five-figure fee’ to take part in another reality show after I’m A Celeb thought to be Channel 4′ Banged Up: Stars Behind Bars.
For the next month ahead of July 4, Farage will appear on the campaign trail – although a new YouGov poll has predicted that Reform UK would not win any seats if the election was held tomorrow.
Plane crash in 2010
Farage had a narrow escape after a plane carrying a UKIP banner crashed during an election stunt for a seat in Buckingham.
He was bloodied and bewildered as he and the injured pilot Justin Adams emerged from the wreckage.
The politician was treated at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where he remained for a few days.
His spokesperson said at the time he suffered two broken rips, a small chip to his spine and damage to his sternum, adding that Farage said that he is ‘lucky to be alive.’
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