Lady Victoria Frederica Isabella Hervey, or Lady V, as she is now known, was born in October 1976, the daughter of Victor, the sixth Marquess of Bristol (the first member of his family to go to prison, for theft) and his third wife Yvonne, who had previously been his secretary.
Upbringing
For the first two years of her life she lived at Ickworth, the family seat in Sussex, before her parents went into tax exile in Monaco. Victoria's holidays were spent in the Mediterranean paradise, but she was educated in Britain, at the Benenden School in Kent. After a gap year spent in Florence and working at advertising agencies in London, she turned down a place at Bristol University to read French and Art History. Her mother was reportedly outraged and stopped her allowance. But Victoria got herself a job as a receptionist to film director and bon viveur Michael Winner.
Fashion World Success
She dabbled in modelling for a few years and appeared on Paris catwalks, ultimately hoping to land a TV presenting job. Her statuesque frame kept her in the fashion world, however, and she teamed up with good friend Jane Blight to open up a fashion boutique, Akademi, in April 2000. After a revealing photo of Victoria appeared in a tabloid newspaper, her fame and notoriety grew. London had been lacking an "It Girl," and Lady V ended up being the perfect candidate. She became a staple at several A-list parties, a popular cover girl for men's magazines, and The Sunday Times even hired her to write its "Party Animal" column. Akademi, which was frequented by celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Meg Mathews and Martine McCutcheon, closed halfway through 2001, with debts estimated at £350,000. Victoria's personal financial investment in it was minimal, however, and later that year, a new shop with new backers opened in the same Knightsbridge location where Akademi once traded.
Dating Life
Currently single, Lady V has had well-documented relationships with Danish restaurateur Mogens Tholstrup, 15 years her senior, who she used to call "Grandpa", and internet impresario Seb Bishop. Other names once associated with the blonde beauty include F1 driver David Coulthard and former Boyzone member Shane Lynch.
Film and TV
In December 2003 Victoria relocated to Los Angeles in the hope of making it as an actress. To date she has secured a small part in the 2004 flick RX opposite Colin Hanks as a waitress in a diner. She has since also made appearances in shows like Absolutely Fabulous, The Farm and Love Island.
