Angie Best
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Angie Best (born Angela MacDonald-James in 1953 in Southend on Sea, Essex), is a former Playboy Bunny and model, probably best known as the ex-wife of footballer George Best.
Born in Southend on Sea, she has at least one brother who was a singer/song writer and later father to actress Samantha Janus[1]. Angie became a model, and then Bunny hostess at the Playboy club in London[2]. She was then invited to New York to model, before travelling to Los Angeles as a model and personal 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 back to London in 1976, but George's drinking and womanising were getting out of control. Angie returned to Los Angeles, but George followed and persuaded Angie to marry him on 24 January 1978. George was drunk at the wedding ceremony and spent the wedding night drinking and gambling. The marriage produced one son Calum in 1981, but George's continual drinking and affairs eventually drove them apart, and Angie returned to Los Angeles with Calum for distance from George for the good of her son. The couple divorced via an annulment in 1986[3].
In light of George's then lack of income, and her own pride, on relocating to Los Angeles Angie 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 amongst others Sky TV. She also coached and trained celebrity clients, including pop star Cher and actresses Sharon Stone and Daryl Hannah. Latterly she has written a series of books for over 40's women, including one for the menopause called "A Change For the Best."
In 2000, writer/director Mary McGuckian produced the poorly reviewed George Best biopic film "Best", with Angie played by Patsy Kensit. Angie made the most of the publicity for her causes, but said of the film: "I haven't been consulted at all, even though it shows my life.". In response, in 2002, Angie 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 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 admitted: "I remain good friends with George. He is the only man I ever loved."[4]. When George Best died in November 2005, Angie attended the funeral with a single red rose, and was the only woman at his graveside - second wife Alex Best was isolated by Best's family.
Angie now lives in the Malibu Hills, where she runs a jewellery business, writes, and cares for her rescued animals including six dogs and various horses. She continues to fitness train select clients, and works on ad-hoc TV projects.
