Nigel Farage’s girlfriend, Laure Ferrari, was at the centre of a controversy in British politics.
Laure Ferrari is a French political operative and long-time girlfriend of British politician Nigel Farage. Born in 1979 in the town of Épinal in eastern France, she studied English at the University of Strasbourg. In her early 20s she worked as a waitress in Strasbourg — a job she held when she first met Farage in 2007, during his tenure as a Member of the European Parliament.
Ferrari’s path took a political turn soon after. Farage gave her a job as a parliamentary assistant in charge of environmental issues, marking her first formal entry into politics. In subsequent years she served as director of public relations for the British delegation of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group (EFD / EFDD) in the European Parliament. Later, she became a founding member of the pan-European populist initiative The Movement, which also involved controversial figures associated with far-right politics. Ferrari has also been linked to the think tank Institute for Direct Democracy in Europe (IDDE), a Eurosceptic group that has been the subject of scrutiny and allegations in relation to funding received by the former UK Independence Party (UKIP).
Relationship with Nigel Farage and public profile
Ferrari and Farage have reportedly been together since around 2017. That year, media outlets described them living under the same roof: Ferrari moved into Farage’s Chelsea house, initially described as a temporary lodging arrangement because she was said to have nowhere else to stay. At the time Farage denied any romantic involvement — calling the idea “a working relationship” — though they were later seen publicly together, including dancing at a Brexit-anniversary party.
Over time, the nature of the relationship became clearer. Their appearances together increased and eventually their bond was confirmed publicly. In December 2023, after Farage’s stint on the reality TV show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Ferrari greeted him after his exit — marking a high-profile moment that firmly established their partnership in the public eye.
Ferrari is 15 years younger than Farage. Her journey from waitress to political aide, to a figure closely connected with a leading Brexit-era politician, has drawn wide attention — especially given her relatively low public profile prior to association with Farage.
Other high-profile couples in politics with a large age gap include Donald Trump and Melania.
The Clacton house controversy
In late 2024, Farage announced he had bought a house in his Clacton constituency — a move widely interpreted as demonstrating his local commitment ahead of upcoming elections. But in 2025, reporting unearthed that the property (worth approximately £885,000) was legally registered in Ferrari’s name, not Farage’s.
Facing questions, Farage later admitted he had “misspoken” when he claimed ownership; he clarified that the house was purchased by Laure Ferrari using her own money. He insisted he had no financial stake in the property. Critics, however, questioned how Ferrari — whose public business interests appeared modest — could afford a luxury home of that value.
Her father had previously run a haulage business in Strasbourg, but that company was liquidated in 2020 and reportedly left with more liabilities than assets. The family’s other known holdings — a modestly valued flat and some rental premises — seem unlikely to explain a seven-figure property purchase in southeast England.
These discrepancies have sparked debates about transparency and whether the initial claim of ownership was a deliberate mischaracterization to avoid extra tax or scrutiny. Public and political pressure has mounted for Farage to clarify the source of the funds.
Laure Ferrari’s business interests & roles
Beyond her political involvement, Ferrari has held roles in consultancy and business. She is the sole director and shareholder of a UK-registered consultancy company. At one point, she was also associated with a venture linked to Farage’s personal brand — but that company reportedly had limited assets and faced financial difficulties.
Her association with a Eurosceptic think tank that has been accused of diverting funds to UKIP prior to the Brexit referendum has also drawn criticism. While no formal charges have been laid against Ferrari personally, the controversy has followed her and, by extension, Farage — feeding into broader questions about funding, transparency, and influence in European-far-right political networks.
Why she matters — and what remains unclear
Laure Ferrari plays a unique role in Nigel Farage’s post-UKIP political life. As partner to one of the most polarizing figures in modern British politics, her presence contributes to Farage’s public image — one that, over time, has shifted from lone political firebrand to potentially more settled family-oriented figure. Her quiet background adds to the intrigue; someone who began as a waitress in Strasbourg is now at the center of property controversies, elite political networks, and funding scrutiny.
Yet many questions persist. The origin of the Clacton house funds remains opaque. Ferrari’s business interests appear modest on paper, and information about inherited wealth or other income streams is limited. Critics argue that Farage has a duty to be transparent given his high public profile and vocal criticism of political elites.
For now, Ferrari remains a figure of significant public interest — not because she seeks it, but because her relationship with Farage intersects with issues of power, money, and political influence on both sides of the Channel.
