'I went from Spice Girls tour to sharing a bed with my kids': Mel B had just £700 in the bank after leaving abusive ex

24 February 2024, 08:05 | Updated: 24 February 2024, 08:16

Mel B
Mel B. Picture: Getty

By Kit Heren

Mel B has revealed that leaving her abusive ex-husband left her so broke that she was forced to share a bed with her children at her mother's house.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Melanie Brown, known as Scary Spice, went back to her native Leeds in 2019 after ending her ten-year marriage.

Ms Brown, who made £80 million in her career had so little money after the divorce that she and her three children were forced to move in with her mother, the Sun reported.

She said she was left with just £700 after the split, after spending so much money on the divorce and custody battles.

"People will assume, ‘She’s rich, she’s a Spice Girl’," she said.

Read more: 'I would have died': Mel B calls for domestic abuse reforms after sharing her personal experience with ex

Read more: ‘No evidence of disease!’: Amy Dowden gives major update in cancer battle - adding 'dance floor I’m coming for you!'

Mel B
Mel B. Picture: Alamy

"But I went from performing to thousands at Wembley on the Spice Girls’ 13-date Reunion Tour in 2019 to squeezing into my mum’s with my kids sleeping in bed with me.

"I didn’t expect that to happen in my 40s after a successful career but I had nowhere else to go.

“Because I was so badly affected financially from my relationship, I had to pick up the pieces." She said she hadn't bought a pint of milk for years, but then got into shopping in Aldi and Lidl.

She has now saved up enough money to buy a converted farmhouse in West Yorkshire.

Mel B
Mel B. Picture: Alamy

Mel B has previously called for reform of the judicial system at the Conservative Party conference, as she shared her personal experiences of domestic abuse.

The pop star, a patron of the Women's Aid charity, spoke at a fringe event at last year's conference in Birmingham, calling for more to be done to support survivors of domestic abuse.

She told the event she was "probably the last person you would expect to find at a Tory party conference".

"I am not here because I am Mel B, Scary Spice from the Spice Girls, I am here because I am Melanie Brown MBE," she added.

She told the audience in a packed conference room that she was in an abusive relationship for about 10 years, but "kept it a complete secret".

"I went on tour with the Spice Girls, I was a judge on America's Got Talent - voted best judge, if you can be voted the best judge on a TV show," she said.

Mel B
Mel B. Picture: Alamy

The singer continued: "I put on a smile for the cameras because that is my job and I know I am really good at it as well."

She said the abuse became worse "bit by bit", leaving her without access to money or a support network, and gradually leading her to attempt suicide.

"I couldn't pick up the phone to call my mum, my friends, I didn't have access to anything, and you think, well, Spice Girls are all about girl power, but let me tell you, when these abusers get their hooks into you, there is no way out, really - so you think," she said.

Sharing her own feelings about the impact of the pandemic on those suffering domestic abuse, the singer said: "I had this horrible feeling during lockdown for women that were in abusive relationships.

Mel B
Mel B. Picture: Alamy

"I literally felt suffocated at the thought, if I was with my ex then, I think I would have died.

"If it wouldn't have been from me taking my own life, or from him killing me.

"Because that was literally lockdown, not just in my every day, but I wouldn't have even been able to go out to work."

It was only after the death of her father that Mel B said she found the strength to leave the relationship, after seven previous attempts.

She called on the Government to do more to raise awareness of the needs of survivors of domestic abuse, including better support through the health service and the court system.

Mel B
Mel B. Picture: Alamy

"Every judge I have come across looks in complete horror like, 'Well, you look put together, you look all right, what is wrong with you?'" Mel B said.

She emphasised that women from all walks of life can experience abuse, no matter how they appear outwardly, telling the event: "Domestic abuse is everywhere in society. You can be from a council estate, which I am, or you can be from a country estate - which I am now."

For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Technology firms must tackle illegal content on their platforms under new rules, but there are concerns that the changes are too weak.

New Ofcom powers for online safety come into force as charities warn of 'major gaps' in legislation

The rebels on Sunday claimed to have targeted the USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group with missiles and a drone.

US fights off Houthi drone attacks on aircraft carrier after Trump ramps up strikes on Yemen

Jack Draper of Great Britain celebrates after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark to win the Men's Singles Final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2025

Britain’s Jack Draper wins Indian Wells Open after beating Holger Rune in biggest title of his career

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

20 arrested including government officials after 59 killed in North Macedonia night club fire

Alton Towers' latest attraction, Toxicator, was forced to close on its opening day after a burst pipe caused a leak of brown liquid.

‘Nightmare day’ - New Alton Towers attraction ‘Toxicator’ forced to close on opening day after burst pipe

People sit on deckchairs on brown-coloured dry grass, in the sunshine in Hyde Park in central London

Parts of UK to be hotter than Ibiza and Corfu next week as first day of spring looms

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the second goal during the Carabao Cup Final match between Liverpool vs Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium, London.

Newcastle crowned Carabao Cup winners, taking home first major trophy in 70 years

Kanye West, left, and Kim Kardashian attend the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards on Nov. 6, 2019, in New York.

‘You’re going to have to kill me’ - Kanye leaks chilling texts with Kim after involving daughter in Diddy scandal

Pilot Mike Beaton was sacked for snorting cocaine off a passengers breasts in 2023.

British Airways pilot back in the skies after snorting drugs off woman's breasts before flight

Iran has denied backing Yemen's Houthis after the US launched airstrikes in the country's capital and Donald Trump promised to 'hold Iran accountable' for allegedly supporting the rebels.

Iran denies aiding Houthi rebels after US strikes Yemen and Trump threatens to hold Tehran 'fully accountable'

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn