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GYPSY QUEEN
Young women come up to Tyson all the time, I don’t get jealous, says Paris Fury after THOSE controversial holiday pics
WATCHING Paris Fury in action is exhausting. Despite having baby number six just two months ago, she’s constantly on the go – unpacking groceries, feeding daughter Athena and making snacks for eldest child Venezuela, 12.
“I never stop. I don’t go to the gym, but I do 12 miles a day going up and down the stairs chasing the kids!” she jokes.
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Paris, 31, and Venezuela have spent the morning discussing when the latter might have children.
Venezuela – who, in keeping with traveller traditions, has recently left school after finishing primary (more on this later) – is predicting she will have her first baby in five years, joking that it will make Paris a granny before she’s 40.
“I nearly died when she called me ‘Granny Paris’. It’s killed me to turn 30, never mind grandkids. That shocked me, as she’s told me for years: ‘I’m not having kids. I’m not getting married.’
“I think there’s a benefit to settling down young – I’m not saying as young as I was, but we’ll see. We’ve got strong traditions as travelling people. While I hope my kids get married, I would never want them to think they only have one option in life.”
DOWNWARD SPIRAL
Paris and Tyson met when she was 15 and he was 17, and married three years later, in 2008. She had Venezuela at 19, followed by Prince John James, nine, Prince Tyson II, four, Valencia, three, Prince Adonis, two, and nine-week-old Athena.
They had originally been aiming for 10 kids, but their newborn daughter spent two weeks in intensive care on a ventilator after having problems breathing, so Paris is questioning whether adding to the brood is a good idea.
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“She’s well now, but it was a stress. I wouldn’t want to relive that again, but I still think there could be more [children].”
Thrust into the spotlight after Tyson, 33, became the world heavyweight boxing champion in 2015, Paris has never sought out fame.
She occasionally appears on the Loose Women panel, but wouldn’t want to be there full-time as that would mean leaving the kids with family to travel from their home in Morecambe to London for two days at a time.
Tyson had told her he was going to be a champion at the start of their relationship, but she had dismissed it as daydreaming.
“I looked at him and thought: ‘God, love you. That’s not gonna happen.’ He always had this self-belief. I thought we were gonna live a normal life.”
But the Furys were never destined to be normal – after years of success, Tyson, who is known in the boxing world as The Gypsy King, is now worth £40m.
But while Tyson has been on top of the world professionally, battles with his mental health led him on a three-year downward spiral of drink and drugs – he considered taking his own life in 2015.
Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, he eventually got clean, lost 8st and won his two comeback fights in 2018.
“I really did think [about leaving him] numerous times, but I stayed because I love the person that he is – flaws and all. I knew if I wasn’t there, there was no one there to look after him. I felt a responsibility to keep him alive, and if I left, he would not be here.
“It wasn’t a fairy tale. Mental [ill] health is such a hard thing. We lived it by ourselves and kept it very hush. Tyson was so severely ill and paranoid and I was pregnant and had all these children.
"I was just trying to keep everything together. When Tyson went public about it, I found it easier to handle. He went to therapy a few times and I would advise anyone to [do that]. I prayed that he was going to get better, and he did. And now we’re on top of the world, so there’s the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Things are definitely brighter now, and Paris is taking the opportunity to step out of her husband’s shadow with her upcoming autobiography, Love & Fury, in which she talks about the highs and lows of being married to one of the world’s most famous boxers.
I really did think [about leaving him] numerous times, but I stayed because I love the person that he is – flaws and all.
Paris Fury
“I know this sounds really lame, but I felt empowered to write the book. Tyson has had no input at all, so it’s actually probably gonna be a big shock to him when he reads it.
“Most people don’t know me. They think: ‘Oh, the blonde wife.’ I’ve been told so many times: ‘You’re after his money. You’re a gold digger.’
"But they have no idea what I’ve been through. It doesn’t faze me, as I know the truth – I just hope people see our corny love story and realise we’ve been together for such a long time.”
It’s a love story that has withstood not just Tyson’s mental health problems, but also the challenges of fame.
“These young women that come over to Tyson [in public], they don’t bother me. I don’t get jealous. If Brad Pitt walked in here now, I am grabbing hold of him and having a cuddle – that doesn’t mean I want to have an affair with him!”
DOWN TO EARTH FAMILY
Paris’ open-book attitude makes her instantly likeable and it’s clear that if she wanted to, she could be a huge star.
While having her make-up done for our shoot (simultaneously feeding the baby), she has everyone in hysterics about how she spotted a Selfridges bag in Tyson’s car and was convinced he had bought her some Fendi shoes she had been eyeing up.
Sadly, the gift turned out to be salt and pepper shakers – and her husband couldn’t understand why she was disappointed.
For all their riches, the pair couldn’t be more down to earth. Paris jokes about the high-flying lifestyle of Tyson’s half-brother Tommy Fury and his girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague, who met on Love Island and who she describes as “amazing together”.
“I do look at them and think: ‘Aww, you are like what we were like when we were young.’ I think they will get married.”
But Paris shows no signs of hankering after their celebrity lifestyle.
“They can flit around the world on these lovely holidays and all these photo-shoot destinations, while I’ve had my photo shoot today with my baby in my arms. I’ve had make-up put on while the baby gets a nappy changed – our lives are a little bit different!”
Paris wouldn’t have it any other way, though. Home – where our cover shoot was done – is her happy place and it shows.
It’s shoes off at the door and everything is pristine – Paris even stops the photographer mid-shoot to ask for her cushions to be plumped up so everything looks perfect for the shots.
Pictures of the couple are displayed in diamanté frames, and at Christmas they sit on thrones to eat their dinner in “the good room”.
“I like to look after my home. I like to look after my kids. This is what I wanted in life. I don’t have a full-time cleaner, a cook or a nanny. Though, I have finally accepted that I need someone to come once a week to clean my bathrooms, because there are six of them.
"I make the kids help out, too – both the boys and the girls. Prince is a dab hand with the hoover and Tyson’s always been a bit of a clean freak. He folds all his clothes and puts them away and if I drop mine on the floor, I can see his nerves start to twitch.
"Obviously, I’m the mother and I run the house, but if I said: ‘Right, Tyson, you go change the baby,’ he will. There’s no way I would have my son or husband say to me: ‘I’m a man, I don’t do that.’”
Growing up as travellers, both Paris and Tyson experienced a lot of prejudice. As teenagers, Paris and her friends were prevented from going into the cinema by staff, and even now Tyson, the self-styled Gypsy King, speaks out about discrimination still experienced by the community.
“We’ve always sort of swallowed it, but now everybody’s standing up for their rights. My daughter went to the cinema two weeks ago with her friends and they got refused entry.
"Nothing’s changed. Will we ever win the fight? I doubt it. I think we may progress a bit, but there’s so much prejudice for all races and different cultures.
“The most frustrating thing is people think that travelling women are sitting at home cooking, cleaning and making babies. And the truth of the matter is that most women I know are such independent women. I’m teaching my kids to grow up and be strong women.
"You need to look deeper than what you’ve seen on that silly television show [Big Fat Gypsy Weddings]. I hope my book helps with that.”
WEDDING CALLED OFF
While most people would be scared to step into a ring with Tyson, it’s clear he doesn’t get away with much with Paris.
She jokes that she “doesn’t take any nonsense” from him, revealing in her book that she originally called off their wedding and ended their relationship until he came begging for another chance six weeks later.
“No one actually knows that story. This is the first time I’ve ever spoken about it. Who wears the trousers? I am going to say we’ve got a leg in each! I’m not going to take them totally off him, but I let Tyson believe what he wants to believe – like he thinks he named all six kids.
"I don’t know where he gets that from him but that’s not exactly true… Maybe don’t put that in the interview,” she laughs.
“Am I the Gypsy Queen? I think people do call me that. Tyson is the king in my eyes and king of this home, and I’m definitely the queen of this home.”
As for the kids, they have Tyson wrapped around their little fingers, too.
“Tyson is such a gentle giant. He is the soft one in our relationship and I am the firm one. Venezuela was going to her school leaving party and had a giant pair of my heels on. I said: ‘You are not wearing them.’
"But she said: ‘Please. All the girls are wearing heels.’ I thought I would be clever and said: ‘If your dad says you can wear them, you can.’ And she came running down saying: ‘Dad said yes!’ I thought he would be this strict dad, but he’s not. He wants to be the cool parent.”
The pair don’t always agree on their parenting approach, having argued over Venezuela leaving school once she had finished primary. Tyson wanted her to stay on, but the couple have agreed that she can leave as long as she’s tutored at home.
“We finish school at primary age, which is the traditional traveller way. We’ve just brought the tradition into the 21st century. She wanted to leave school and all her [traveller] friends were leaving.
"Her tutor is gonna keep her up to date with all of her tests. She will also be having piano lessons. We move so much [the Furys also have a house in Las Vegas and regularly travel to America to be with Tyson, so the other children miss school when they are away]. It wouldn’t work if they were in school full-time to then be off to America.”
The most frustrating thing is people think that travelling women are sitting at home cooking, cleaning and making babies.
Paris Fury
Despite their wealth, the pair are keen to keep their children as grounded as possible.
“We’re both from a basic background and things were limited. When we had our kids, we said we need to keep them down to earth. We go to the pound shop and my daughter always cringes when I’m at the sale rail in Asda buying £3 pyjamas.
"I say no to [the kids] because we need to keep some level of control. They are jumping into first-class seats [on planes] – my little boy just automatically goes left now.
"He’s only five and goes: ‘Lady, could I have a Coke please?’ That’s not right. I thought to myself: ‘You little pampered boy.’ We’ve got to find a balance.”
Paris is reserved when it comes to spending money on herself, too, but the one expense she is proud of is her walk-in wardrobe, with six different-coloured quilted Chanel bags on display, as well as numerous designer shoes, worth around £50,000. What would she say to those who criticise her for splurging on designer handbags?
“Having this walk-in wardrobe was a big dream of mine. I got it and I do appreciate it. I just look at people who are negative – that’s their flaw. I really do believe that. I don’t listen to them – they don’t matter.”
She might have it all, but there is one thing left on the dream list.
“I’m waiting for the film of Tyson’s life. I know producers have asked to make the film,” she says. “I can’t see him acting in it, though. He thinks he’s good at everything, but I don’t think acting is his passion. I think Hollywood will do it, as long as someone hot plays me – Blake Lively or Margot Robbie!”
With a rags-to-riches story like theirs, surely it’s only a matter of time.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
- Love And Fury by Paris Fury is published on October 28 (£20, Hodder & Stoughton)
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In the make-up chair with Paris
Do you have a skincare hero?
I always take my make-up off with soap, then I just use a little bit of Nivea.
What’s your beauty bag essential?
Bronzer and lipgloss. I’m using a BPerfect bronzer at the minute called Perfect Storm. People ask me if I’ve had a spray tan when I wear it. I like Carmex, too.
What do you splurge on?
Good perfume. At the moment I’m using Lancôme La Vie Est Belle – I love it.
Best budget buy?
I use Tresemmé conditioner on my hair. Most of my stuff is budget – I don’t buy expensive make-up.
Who’s your beauty icon?
Jennifer Lopez looks incredible for her age.
What’s your top beauty tip?
Less is more when it comes to make-up.
How has your look evolved?
Apart from using fake lashes, it hasn’t changed. I still wear the same tinted moisturiser and
I love bronzer and a bit of blush.
- Additional photography: Paris Fury, Instagram/Paris Fury, Shutterstock Editorial
- Hair & make-up: Aimee Adams using Living Proof & Bare Minerals
- Styling: Nana Acheampong
- Paris wears: blazer dress, River Island, earrings, Paris’ own. Body, Nastygal.com; trousers, River Island; shoes, Dune London
Tyson Fury's wife Paris gives update on newborn baby in intensive care
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