Mary Portas: When were you happiest?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Mary Portas said elsewhere, not written here

Now. Without a doubt

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 March 2012 source ↗

Others on this question

Melanie Chisholm British pop singer

Becoming a mum quashed so many demons within me, and gave me confidence and a sense of calm.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 October 2016 source ↗

When I finished writing a book.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, September 2017 source ↗

Barbara Taylor Bradford British novelist

I've never really been unhappy.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 February 2014 source ↗

Greta Scacchi Italian-born actress

Now. When I see my two children enjoying each other's company.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 May 2008 source ↗

Not being able to take up my place at Rada.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 March 2012 source ↗

My wife, Melanie. She's had real trauma and loss in her life, yet she starts every day with joy, and sees the world as a good place

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 March 2012 source ↗

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