'My philosophy is the best is yet to come'

Following the end of her marriage, Anita Rani reflects on her career achievements and looks forward to an exciting “second phase” of her life

- EVE MACDONALD

Presenter Anita Rani has well and truly entered her “empowerment” era. “Life is good,” she declares, when we catch up with the star on her return from a well-earned break to Mauritius. “I’m in a good place, I’m focusing on myself and my own wants. It’s nice to be able to think about the second phase of my life. I’ve been calling it Chapter Two.”

Since announcing the end of her marriage to husband of 14 years Bhupi Rehal in September 2023, the 47-yearold has been navigating her new life as a single woman. The couple tied the knot in a three-day Indian wedding held in Bradford in 2009, in front of 450 guests. But Anita and Bhupi eventually decided to part ways, and rumours began circling that their busy work schedules were a contributing factor to them drifting apart.

Anita made her first comment about the couple’s separation in November last year, admitting it felt freeing to have the news become public.

“It’s liberating that people know I’m single now,” she said at the time. “Not everything works out. Things come to their natural conclusion. That is absolutely fine.”

Now, as she looks towards a new chapter, Anita has moved back into her former London flat, and is juggling a packed work schedule, including Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Aldi’s Next Big Thing on Channel 4.

“I’m paying attention to my needs,” Anita says when we ask how she is. “I don’t really want to talk too much about it all. I’m just making sure I take time out to do things I want to do. I’m very aware that, with the things I want to do in life, I’d quite like to do them now and not wait. I kind of live by the mantra of ‘life is too short’.”

But, as is the case for many women, Anita acknowledges the difficulties that come with putting yourself first in life and having fun.