In a world exclusive interview and photoshoot, legendary illusionist David Copperfield shows HELLO! Magazine around his incredible Caribbean hideaway – Copperfield Bay, an archipelago of 11 islands, one of which was the secret venue for Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem's nuptials in July 2010.
He also introduces us to his stunning French fiancée, Chloe Gosselin, a 28-year-old model and designer he met six years ago, with whom he has a three-year-old daughter, Sky.
Once famed for dating the world's most beautiful women – he dated Claudia Schiffer for six years in the 1990s – he now plays all that down with an "Oh, that was a long time ago. Now I'm engaged and in a committed relationship with Chloe in my mind and my heart."
And Chloe is clearly just as enamoured of her beau. "I'm so lucky to have found David," she says. "There are very few people in the world like him. He's spent more than 30 years at the top of his profession. He's achieved some extraordinary things.
"People come up to him, tell him they admire him, that he's a role model for them – and he just smiles, because he's truly modest. It's as if he doesn’t realise how smart he is, the talent that he has."
Few are as dedicated to their art as David, who having grossed over $4 billion is the most successful solo entertainer in history. But it's not all about the money. "The greatest compliment I receive is when my magic inspires people to go for their dreams – to make magic with their own lives," he tells us.
A perfectionist who admits to spending "an average of five years" in preparing his shows, he has invested a huge amount of time and money in creating his tropical paradise. "Because of my work I have the privilege of living in extraordinary places around the world," he explains, "and I wanted to recreate the details of those experiences here – from the water pressure in the shower to the thread count in the towels."
