Trinny Woodall has built an impressive career that spans television, fashion, and business. Best known for her role on What Not to Wear, she later transitioned into entrepreneurship, launching her cosmetics brand, Trinny London. As of 2025, the 60-year-old businesswoman has an estimated net worth of £180 million, largely due to the explosive growth of her beauty empire. Her journey is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit.
How Did Trinny Woodall Begin Her Career?
Trinny Woodall, born Sarah-Jane Duncanson Woodall on February 8, 1964, in London, England, came from an upper-middle-class background. She grew up in a family that valued education and discipline, but her early years were not without challenges. After attending boarding school, she struggled to find a career path that suited her personality and ambitions.
Her big break came in 1996 when she co-founded the Ready to Wear fashion column with her longtime friend Susannah Constantine for The Daily Telegraph. The column, which focused on practical fashion advice, became a hit and led to multiple television opportunities.
What Made ‘What Not to Wear’ a Career-Defining Moment?
Trinny and Susannah became household names when they co-hosted the BBC show What Not to Wear, which aired from 2001 to 2007. Their blunt yet insightful fashion critiques helped transform the wardrobes of participants while making them favorites among audiences.
The show’s success led to additional ventures, including:
- Trinny & Susannah Undress…, another makeover series.
- Appearances on This Morning, The Today Show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
- Multiple bestselling books, such as The Body Shape Bible and What You Wear Can Change Your Life.
These projects solidified Trinny’s expertise in style and personal branding, paving the way for her future success.
How Did Trinny Woodall Transition from Television to Business?
After years of television success, Trinny took a leap into the business world. In 2017, at the age of 53, she launched Trinny London, a cosmetics brand that revolutionized how women approached beauty. Unlike traditional makeup brands, Trinny London focused on personalized beauty solutions, including stackable cream-based products tailored to individual skin tones and needs.
How Did Trinny London Grow into a Multi-Million-Pound Brand?
The brand started in Trinny’s kitchen but quickly gained traction. By 2022, Trinny London expanded into skincare, complementing its already successful makeup line. Key factors in its success included:
- Inclusivity: The brand emphasized beauty for women of all ages, particularly those over 35.
- Personalization: AI-driven tools helped customers find the perfect products.
- Engaging Marketing: Trinny leveraged social media, especially Instagram and YouTube, to connect directly with her audience.
By 2024, The Times valued Trinny London at £180 million, with a customer base of 1.2 million and strong sales figures.
What Sacrifices Did Trinny Make to Build Her Business?
Launching Trinny London wasn’t easy. To fund the business, Trinny made significant financial sacrifices, including:
- Selling her four-bedroom Notting Hill home, which she had worked years to afford.
- Selling £60,000 worth of personal belongings, including designer clothing.
Reflecting on these sacrifices, she admitted:
“I spent months thinking, do I really have to sell it? I knew I wasn’t going to be able to repay the mortgage, and I couldn’t start a business in heavy debt.”
Her willingness to take risks and invest everything into her vision ultimately paid off.
What Challenges Has Trinny Faced as an Entrepreneur?
Despite her success, Trinny has faced ageism and skepticism in the business world. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph in 2024, she revealed:
“Investors would say, ‘We’re just worried, will you really be able to run the business in ten years’ time?'”
She found this attitude frustrating, especially since she launched her company later in life. However, she remained determined, proving that age is no barrier to success.
Did Trinny Have Business Experience Before Trinny London?
Yes. Before founding Trinny London, she attempted to launch a tech-based business in the late 1990s. In 1999, she raised £7 million for an online venture, but the dot-com bubble burst before it could become profitable.
This early failure taught her valuable lessons about business, resilience, and adaptability—lessons that she later applied to Trinny London.
What is Trinny’s Personal Life Like?
Trinny was married to Johnny Elichaoff, a businessman and entrepreneur, with whom she shares a daughter, Lyla. Tragically, Johnny passed away in 2014. Since then, she has balanced being a single mother with running her business.
She has been in a high-profile relationship with Charles Saatchi, the renowned art collector and businessman, but remains fiercely independent in her personal and professional life.
What is Trinny’s Legacy in the Beauty and Fashion Industry?
Trinny Woodall’s journey—from a fashion expert to a business mogul—demonstrates the power of reinvention. Her ability to adapt, take risks, and embrace new challenges has set her apart in the competitive world of beauty.
With a net worth of £180 million and a brand that continues to thrive, she remains an inspiration to women who want to build their own success stories—regardless of age or industry.