Billionaire John Caudwell gives glimpse into lavish life with 41-year-old partner
When we had a chat with billionaire John Caudwell on his 72nd birthday, he was aboard his luxury superyacht Titania, docked in Monte Carlo, Monaco. By his side was his partner of ten years, former Olympic cyclist Modesta Vzesniauskaite, 41, and their two young children, providing a rare peek into the life of the typically private philanthropist.
So Modesta, what do you gift one of the world's richest men for his birthday? "Yes, because I'm extremely critical," chuckles John, who also has a property in Mayfair, London. But I don't want anything that costs money, I like emotionally important things, that money can't buy. Modesta and [son} William made me bacon and eggs this morning with a big strawberry birthday cake. I also received some nice slip-on shoes. But the most significant gift was a photo album, filled with beautiful snapshots of our lives she got the kids to participate and add some kiddie designs to them. It was delightful to flip through."
As per The Sunday Times Rich List, John ranks as the 109th wealthiest individual in Britain, boasting a wealth of £1.54 billion. However, the father-of-seven - who welcomed his youngest child last year - is the embodiment of self-made, OK! reports.
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Growing up in Wellesley Street, Shelton and then Bentilee, he began his career as an apprentice at the Michelin tyre company before launching what would become Phones 4U with his brother, Brian.
In 2006, they sold it for a staggering £1.46 billion. Today, John is recognised as one of the UK's most generous philanthropists, leading Caudwell Children for disabled children and the mentoring charity Caudwell Youth alongside Modesta.
The former Berry Hill High School student tells me: "There's absolutely no value in wealth if you don't do something with it that's meaningful."
He is among 250 billionaires worldwide who have signed The Giving Pledge a promise to donate over half their wealth to charitable causes, either before or after death. Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Richard Branson are also on the list. John made his pledge in 2013 and can't understand why more haven't done the same.
"I've pledged 70% during and after my lifetime. It's such a privileged position, but rich people don't generally 'get' it. They think I'm mad for giving my money away and for the time I dedicate to charitable causes. But of those 250 of us that do out of maybe 6,000 it's our duty to try and make the world a better place. Helping those who can't help themselves is a privilege, not a burden."
Meanwhile, he describes life with Modesta as "extremely normal, within an abnormal environment". They live in Broughton Hall, near Eccleshall, and also own properties in London and Monaco. Modesta helps run his two charities while also looking after their two young children Isabella, one, and William, three and her son Leonardo, 12, from a previous relationship, who gained John as a second father at the age of two.
John, who is accustomed to enduring 18-hour work days, places a strong emphasis on family time upon reaching home. Even though they have "an army of support" to help manage their hectic schedules, John takes considerable satisfaction in preparing most of the family's meals. Laughing, he shares, "The bit where we're not completely normal is we do have one or two staff," and then confesses, "But I love cooking, it's a big hobby. I'm always experimenting with dishes."
And Modesta is over the moon about his passion for cooking, expressing, "I don't like cooking, but when John cooks it's like a celebration in the kitchen! Even our one year old loves Daddy's sauces, she always asks for more.
John hastens to explain, "And by Daddy's sauce she means my sauces, not the brown stuff in a bottle!£
The couple. bound together through their shared affection for cycling, initially met while participating in a charity event organised by Prince Albert of Monaco. Modesta, once an Olympic road racer representing Lithuania, recalls: "We both did a charity ride organised by Prince Albert of Monaco and spent all day chatting and enjoying each other's company."
A grin spreads across her face as she continues: "It seems like yesterday, and now we're still on our bikes, still loving each other, still doing charity work."
Now that they are parents to Isabella and William, their cycling escapades have evolved. John humorously remarks: "Modesta pulls a chariot with William and Isabella in, so that evens up the balance a bit between her ability and mine!
John's latest business endeavour is his £2 billion 1 Mayfair project, which involves converting a former car park and hotel into 24 residences of "unprecedented scale and grandeur". His talent for transformations is showcased in the £73m superyacht Titania, which charters for approximately £525,000 a week and was featured in The Crown for the Princess Diana scenes.
When questioned about a recent "renovation" to the yacht, John quickly corrected: "Oh, it's not being renovated, it's in such amazing condition, it never needs renovating, but we're always upgrading."
He further added: "I'm currently adding a cold plunge to The Beach Club so people can enjoy hot-and-cold therapy. It's very good for the immune system."
The superyacht, which accommodates 12 guests and features a gym, beauty salon and lift, is a popular charter yacht and plays a vital role in John's fundraising initiatives. This week, he's hosting his Life-Changers Circle, an exclusive group of 14 "philanthropists and dedicated humanitarians".
Members are obliged to contribute a minimum of £100,000 annually to Caudwell Children, supporting initiatives such as the Caudwell International Children's Centre (a dedicated centre for childhood disability and neurodevelopmental research) in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
While in Monaco, he and Modesta also host their yearly Butterfly Ball fundraiser. But does his wealth and capacity to effect change ever emotionally burden him? "If I'm attending something like Elton John's charity ball and donating on the night, all I need is reasonable assurance that the money is going towards a worthy cause and being used efficiently, so no. However, when I accompanied Elton on some charity visits and saw the work being done, it did take an emotional toll as we met some of the individuals the charity was assisting.
"Before the birth of Isabella and William, John had three children from his first marriage Rebekah, Libby and Rufus and another daughter, Scarlett, and son Jacobi, from later relationships. Speaking about being an older father, he says, "I have the luxury of time now. I was building an empire the first time around.
The most crucial thing for me is that my children grow up to achieve happiness, and leave the world a better place than they found it. I know it sounds cliche but I genuinely believe there's nothing more important.
Today, John is recognised as one of Britain's foremost philanthropic figures, steering Caudwell Children, and the mentoring venture Caudwell Youth alongside Modesta.
Modesta is, of course, now a stepmum to five children and John's eldest, Rebekah, an interior designer, is just a few years older than her. "I'm very lucky with my stepchildren even though some of them are my age," she quips. "The blended family makes life more colourful, it adds spice."
The couple marked their ten-year anniversary not long ago, raising speculation regarding wedding bells or the possibility of a slower pace of life. Yet, John discloses: "I've never really felt marriage very important. What's important is a commitment to making a relationship last not a piece of paper. Plus, Modesta and I have so many important things to do, that's our focus.
"As for slowing down, that doesn't appeal. Unless my health fails, because without it you're nothing. We're going to keep going!"
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