Jane McDonald Opens Up About First Marriage and Staying True to Herself

JANE McDonald is candidly reflecting on her early career and her first marriage, revealing that she felt pressure to change who she was as her fame grew.

In a new interview with The Guardian, the singer and TV star said her first husband and former manager, Henrik Brixen, wanted to reshape her image and sided with parts of the music industry that looked down on her working-class roots.

McDonald, who was born in Wakefield, said she remained proud of where she came from, even as her 1998 debut album shot to number one. She recalled feeling mocked and underestimated at the time, but said audiences connected with her authenticity.

“They cut my hair. I hated it. I was laughed at and shunned and underdogged,” she said.

“But I was proud of where I came from. The public liked me because I was real.”

The star also spoke frankly about her marriage to Brixen, saying she later realized she had never truly been in love with him.

Despite that, she described him as a nice person and acknowledged that ending the relationship was ultimately for the best.

After their split in 2003, McDonald rebuilt her career on her own terms, funding tours and albums herself and leaning on the loyalty of her fanbase.

She said her perseverance helped her push through setbacks, including being dropped by her record label and the BBC.

McDonald also reflected on her late partner Eddie Rothe, whom she reunited with after her divorce. Rothe died of lung cancer in 2021, and she has said she still thinks of him every day.

The entertainer’s latest comments paint a picture of resilience, self-belief, and a determination to succeed without losing the qualities that made fans love her in the first place.