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I had no idea that my friend is a multi millionaire!!

383 replies

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 17:37

Been friends for 35+ years. Both from "normal" working class backgrounds. I found out today, that her DH's business turned over £100 Million last year. Yes, One Hundred Million, it's not a typo.

They have a nice house in the South East, worth maybe £700k. There are no obvious signs of such wealth. They are not big spenders. We were at a party with them last month, and they were (as usual) quite slow to get the drinks in when it was their turn. We definitely got in more rounds. Gifts at Christmas are especially frugal, I normally receive something that has obviously been recycled as it's so bizarre, or it's obviously a freebie with another purchase.

I had been feeling quite good recently about money, as we pay off our mortgage later this year (house worth about £340k for context), and we will have a reasonable amount in savings. Now I just feel a bit Meh, as we will never attain anything like this. Just one million would do me, lol. I know comparison is the thief of joy, but I feel absolutely positively green with envy.

They will be able to do things for their 3 daughters when the time comes, like buy them homes outright - something we can't do.

We are all in our 50's, if that's of any relevance.

OP posts:
wishfulthinking25 · 18/04/2026 20:08

I’m pretty shocked at a lot of these comments..I’m with you op! If one of my friends’ business turned over 100 million and they gave no indication of being wealthy I would be shocked!

YourShyLion · 18/04/2026 20:07

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 19:46

I felt like I was doing really well, and I guess this has made me realise that others are doing SO much better. Yes, comparison is the thief of joy, but I’m allowed to be shocked. I won’t be saying a word to them OBVIOUSLY!! 🙄

I have no doubt that you'll show it very clearly even if you don't say the actual words. I think they will be distancing themselves from you in the very near future.

aredrosegrewup · 18/04/2026 20:05

WizardOfAus · 18/04/2026 20:01

Then get off your fat arse and start a business.

But be warned, it’s hands-down the most STRESSFUL thing in the world.

Also, I’m embarrassed for you equating profit with turnover.

Edited

Why are you using fat as a slur like that?

aredrosegrewup · 18/04/2026 20:04

Weirdconditionaltense · 18/04/2026 19:54

@aredrosegrewupIm not jealous nor entitled. It was a good, friendly bunch of people who worked there . I do believe how you treat your staff speaks volumes and the way this was done did not go down well.

For a millionaire to buy second -hand mugs on their staff, most normal people can see that is not a good look. It did not make people feel valued or respected..I understand that you can't follow this so this is my last post on it. Feel free to pick away at it. Knock yourself out.

So because you can't have a disagreement you resort to telling me I can't follow along and you're ducking out. Crack on. I won't further waste my time.

YourShyLion · 18/04/2026 20:03

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 17:43

Yes. The net worth is circa £20M

.....so you don't actually understand...

AllIwantedwasanMOT · 18/04/2026 20:03

OP, of course you're surprised! PP have a point about assets vs cash, but everyone telling you off is being very disingenuous. I bet no one here looks up house prices on Rightmove either!

OnGoldenPond · 18/04/2026 20:01

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 17:43

Yes. The net worth is circa £20M

That’s the company’s net assets I presume? That’s not the same as personal money in the bank for your friend. Most of it is probably working capital necessary to keep the business operating and isn’t available for the owners to personally spend. They can only take money out of the business via salary or dividends, they can’t just dip into the company bank account, that’s illegal.

WizardOfAus · 18/04/2026 20:01

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 17:56

I can be pleased for my friend (I am), and still feel a bit jealous, or wish that we had similar.

Then get off your fat arse and start a business.

But be warned, it’s hands-down the most STRESSFUL thing in the world.

Also, I’m embarrassed for you equating profit with turnover.

DirtyBird · 18/04/2026 19:59

Well I’m jealous that you will be paying off a mortgage that more than twice of mine your 50s. I will be in my 70s before mine is paid off 😅

newornotnew · 18/04/2026 19:59

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 19:46

I felt like I was doing really well, and I guess this has made me realise that others are doing SO much better. Yes, comparison is the thief of joy, but I’m allowed to be shocked. I won’t be saying a word to them OBVIOUSLY!! 🙄

Stop comparing. Look at what you have. Hide this thread!

Justbloodydoit · 18/04/2026 19:56

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 19:27

Your friends worth £200 million hang out with people on benefits? Don’t believe that for a minute.

No neither do I.

However a £100m company could well have other shareholders or debts. I would expect GP at 10% and then a lot of that could be reinvested.

My friend has a company that turns £67m and private jets feature in their life, they have a mega mansion and a boat, so I get you OP, but I wonder about the structure.

Weirdconditionaltense · 18/04/2026 19:54

@aredrosegrewupIm not jealous nor entitled. It was a good, friendly bunch of people who worked there . I do believe how you treat your staff speaks volumes and the way this was done did not go down well.

For a millionaire to buy second -hand mugs on their staff, most normal people can see that is not a good look. It did not make people feel valued or respected..I understand that you can't follow this so this is my last post on it. Feel free to pick away at it. Knock yourself out.

DreamyJade · 18/04/2026 19:53

TheDenimPoet · 18/04/2026 19:41

For everyone saying turnover isn't profit.. of course, but.. if you're turning over 100 million and you're not very well off, you're running your business INCREDIBLY badly.

Not necessarily. It depends on the type of business. Our business was fairly profitable until the government slashed our funding. 100% of our revenue came from government funding. Most of our competitors went bust overnight. We kept going on a shoestring for a couple of years by diversifying and finding new revenue streams which was nigh on impossible, but I did it which with hindsight, was a bloody miracle. The only reason I didn’t throw the towel in was because I had 100 staff that would have struggled to find new jobs.

Once I was profitable again, I sold up. My buyers went bust 12 months later.

HappiestSleeping · 18/04/2026 19:53

I am intrigued how you can tell all this from Companies House. That only tells you how much the company is worth, and who are the significant shareholders. Nothing about the personal circumstances of the individuals.

Whoisidriselba · 18/04/2026 19:53

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 19:39

Wtf? I do earn my own money thanks 🙄

But not as much as them. And that is clearly a problem. For you.
And do you have any idea about buisness, at all? His parents “gave it” to him. You do realise, he still has to run it? Take all the legal and financial risks? If you want what they have, go ahead and set up your own business. What’s stopping you??

ForeverTheOptomist · 18/04/2026 19:52

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 19:27

Your friends worth £200 million hang out with people on benefits? Don’t believe that for a minute.

I do!!

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 19:46

Sunflower1650 · 18/04/2026 19:42

You sound really insecure.

I felt like I was doing really well, and I guess this has made me realise that others are doing SO much better. Yes, comparison is the thief of joy, but I’m allowed to be shocked. I won’t be saying a word to them OBVIOUSLY!! 🙄

OP posts:
Robogob · 18/04/2026 19:45

YABU. You have a great life with a mortgage paid off. Some of us have nothing. Tone deaf post.

KaleQueen · 18/04/2026 19:45

You’re comfortable so what’s the problem? I have several friends who have loads more money than me but all have been through life things I’d never want to. Be happy in yourself. Not jealous

DisappointedofMeryton · 18/04/2026 19:44

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 19:42

I have enough money to buy my own stuff thanks. 😵‍💫

Then what are you complaining about?

Error404FucksNotFound · 18/04/2026 19:42

Why does it matter?
What does it change?

aredrosegrewup · 18/04/2026 19:42

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 19:24

Oh I’d love to hear how I’m leeching? Jeezo !

Well you said yourself that presents are frugal so you obviously expect them to be spending more on you and you also said that you are green with envy... your words, not mine.

Sunflower1650 · 18/04/2026 19:42

You sound really insecure.

shockedpuppy · 18/04/2026 19:42

Mapletree1985 · 18/04/2026 19:40

The next thing that will happen is when you need something you can't afford and start feeling resentful that she doesn't offer to pay for it, 'when she so easily could.' It will make you feel as if you're not really friends. She will start to feel that people only seek her company because they want handouts.

I can see why they kept it quiet. It's nice that they don't feel their status among their friends depends on them showing off how rich they are.

I have enough money to buy my own stuff thanks. 😵‍💫

OP posts:
TheDenimPoet · 18/04/2026 19:41

For everyone saying turnover isn't profit.. of course, but.. if you're turning over 100 million and you're not very well off, you're running your business INCREDIBLY badly.

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