“Ladies of London” is getting a fresh new makeover after almost a decade since its last season. The reboot, “Ladies of London: The New Reign,” is set to premiere on March 5 on Bravo, with eight new cast members shaking up the socialite scene.
The stars include Martha Sitwell, who comes with a rags-to-riches background. Here are five fast facts you’ll want to know about one of the new faces of “Ladies of London.”
1. Martha Sitwell Made Her Way Out of Homelessness
According to Bravo, Martha “rose from homelessness to high fashion before facing financial ruin after a painful divorce from a baronet.”
“From the ages of 13 to 16, I slept rough, mostly in the doorway of the Piccadilly Theatre. My story is not one that ordinarily leads to the streets. It can happen to anyone,” she shared with The Times in 2024.
Sitwell didn’t come from humble means, sharing that she grew up with an upper-class lifestyle. During her school years, she struggled with cognitive disorders and sexual assault, which eventually led her to partying and drug use.
After getting kicked out of her house, Sitwell found herself sleeping on the streets. It was when Vivienne Westwood spotted her that life began to change, and that’s when her success story began.
2. Martha Sitwell Has a Successful Career as a Model
After being discovered by fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, Martha began her career as a model. She soon became the face of Royal Ascot and became known for her love of vintage clothing.
However, it was her equestrian roots that drove Martha to design her riding clothes, and she has since remained a fashion icon.
3. Martha Sitwell is an Avid Horse Rider
Martha grew up riding horses until an accident at 13 years old left her with a broken neck and back. The model got back on the saddle in her 20s while she was married to Sir George Sitwell, and felt the need to be social.
“You’re going to have to go hunting. It’s the only way to make friends,” Martha said to herself, via The Gloss.
She soon found herself riding avidly again, and after pictures of herself as a talented equestrian made their rounds, Martha became sought-after as a model for sporty clothing brands.
4. Martha Sitwell Was Married to a Noble for 10 years
Martha married Baronet George Sitwell in 2007, making her a Lady. The marriage lasted 10 years before the two split, with Martha throwing a party to celebrate her divorce (via the Daily Mail).
“Happiness is my rocks, my girls, my world, my everything,” Martha wrote while sharing a picture with her friends and sister.
5: Martha Sitwell Had a Son at 17 Years Old
Martha revealed to the Daily Mail in 2022 that she had a son with an unnamed partner when she was 17 years old. At the time, she opted to let her aunt raise her baby, sharing, “People weren’t thrilled that I was having a baby at that age. I had huge help from my aunt. He lived between me and my aunt and by the time I was married, he was at boarding school.”
She stated, “I do think that I made mistakes with him that I wouldn’t make now because I am older and wiser. I don’t think he’s had a perfect life with me at all. I’ve led quite an unstable life, which is one [of] the reasons I asked my aunt to help because she’s given him a bit more stability.”
As for her past partner, Martha shared, “The father is not in my life, we had a long relationship and I’ve always made it very clear that he and my son can get in touch with each other and their relationship is between them.”
