Last updated: September 1, 2026
Lady Kitty Spencer, the elegant model and niece of the late Princess Diana, has long captivated the public with her grace and style. Yet one of the most frequently asked questions remains simple: who is Kitty Spencer husband? The answer is Michael Lewis, a private, successful South African-British businessman whose low-key presence has defined their five-year marriage.
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Who Is Michael Lewis?
Michael Lewis is a seasoned fashion retail executive and the longtime chairman of the Foschini Group, a major South African retailer with international reach. The group owns well-known British brands including Whistles and Phase Eight, along with stores across South Africa and Australia. Reports consistently place his wealth in the region of £80 million, though some recent coverage has described him as a billionaire businessman.
Born around 1959, Lewis is approximately 66–67 years old. He comes from a family with deep roots in South African retail; his grandfather built a furniture business after fleeing Europe in the 1930s. Before marrying Kitty he was previously married and has three adult children from that relationship, making Kitty a stepmother. Those who know him describe him as humble and deliberately private, preferring to stay out of the spotlight even as his wife continues her modelling and public work.
How Kitty Spencer and Michael Lewis Met
The couple’s path crossed in 2018 through mutual friends involved in charitable causes linked to former British MP Liam Fox. Shared South African connections and an interest in fashion quickly turned into romance. They kept the relationship relatively quiet at first, only confirming it publicly in 2019. Lewis proposed over the Christmas period in Cape Town with a substantial diamond ring, and their engagement was announced in January 2020.
The age difference of roughly 32 years has drawn attention, yet those close to the pair say their bond is grounded in mutual respect, humour and complementary lifestyles. Kitty has spoken warmly of the stability and support she finds with him.
Their Lavish Italian Wedding
After pandemic delays, Kitty and Michael married on 24 July 2021 at the historic Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati, near Rome. The three-day celebration was elegant rather than ostentatious. Kitty, a long-time Dolce & Gabbana ambassador, wore several custom gowns by the Italian house, including a romantic Victorian-inspired lace dress with long sleeves and puff shoulders for the ceremony itself.
Her brothers walked her down the aisle. Guests included close friends and family, though the event remained relatively private. The couple have since marked five years of marriage, still favouring discretion over constant public displays.
Family Life and Their Daughter Athena
In April 2023 the couple welcomed their daughter, Athena. They kept the birth private for nearly a year, only sharing news more openly in 2024. Today Athena is three, and Kitty occasionally posts tender glimpses of motherhood while protecting the child’s privacy. Michael appears even less frequently, though in late August 2026 Kitty shared rare holiday footage of him playing in the waves with their daughter during a trip to the Hamptons — a welcome sight for followers who rarely see the couple together.
The family divides time between a home in Marylebone, London, and periods in France and South Africa. Their approach is consistent: enjoy the privileges of their lives while guarding what matters most.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Husband’s full name | Michael Lewis |
| Approximate age | 66–67 |
| Occupation | Chairman, Foschini Group |
| Estimated wealth | ~£80 million |
| Wedding date & place | 24 July 2021, Villa Aldobrandini, Italy |
| How they met | 2018, through charity connections |
| Daughter | Athena (born 29 April 2023) |
| Stepchildren | Three adult children from previous marriage |
What stands out about Kitty Spencer’s husband is not flashy headlines but steady partnership. In an era when many public couples document every moment, Michael Lewis has chosen the opposite path — supporting his wife and raising their daughter largely away from cameras. Five years on, that choice appears to be working. The couple continue to build a life that balances Kitty’s public modelling career with genuine privacy at home. For fans of the Spencer family and royal-adjacent stories, their marriage remains one of the more quietly successful unions of recent years.