Ron Sheppard, the UK’s ‘most married man’, will spend his final years in a care home – and says all his wives have ‘fatigued his body’.
Married eight times, Ron, 74, and currently single, is leaving his two-bedroom ground floor apartment in Somerton for a new life in a care home on the Isle of Wight to be close to his family.
But aside from looking for a new lady to share his golden years with, Romeo tells Ron he’s no longer good enough for romance due to failing health.
Ron, a father of eight, now suffers from a range of medical conditions including Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arachnoiditis that have left him dependent on a wheelchair and a team of caregivers visiting him three times a day.
“My health is not good now,” said Ron. I think it’s possible that all of my wives have exhausted my body over the years.
Ron Sheppard, ‘the UK’s most married man’, is on his way to spending his twilight years in a care home – and says all his wives ‘exhausted his body’ (pictured, with the ninth woman he proposed to, Chrystel Lalique)
Ron was first married to Margaret, together on their wedding day in 1966 (left). The couple had three children and divorced after two years. He married bride number three, Leslie (right), in 1976
“The psychological and physical stress of the divorce took its toll.”
Ron first tied the knot in 1966 when he walked down the aisle with Margaret.
The couple shared three children but later divorced after two years, after which came the second wife, Janet. Wednesday in 1973, the marriage only lasted a year before Ron married for the third time two years later in 1976.
Wellesley had two sons, but Ron—former tour manager for comedian Norman Wisdom—left her after five years before her death in 1996. Then came Cathy in 1982.
The couple, who have a daughter, used to work at Pontins as a blue class with Shane Richie. Ron then married Sue in 1986, with whom he has two sons. But she kicked him out after 11 years.
Usha from Singapore was close to tying the knot with him in 1999, followed by Wan in 2003 and Wing a year later.
Ron’s longest marriage was 13 years and the shortest was only 10 months.
Lothario Ron has remained celibate since the breakdown of his marriage to Wing, but has admitted to having “friendships” with a number of ladies. But he doesn’t regret going up the aisle eight times.
Eight times married Ron, due to turn 75 in May, is leaving his two-bedroom ground floor flat in Somerton for a new life in a care home on the Isle of Wight to be close to his family (pictured with eighth wife Wong)
Ron with his fourth wife, Cathy, who met at a camp before their marriage in 1982. They had a daughter, which lasted four years.
Ron’s fifth wife, Sue, whom he met at a bingo hall and married in 1986. They had two sons but she kicked him out in 1997
“I don’t regret any of my marriages,” he said, “because I have eight children of my own.” Ron said his constant search for “the one” stems from the fact that he was sexually abused as a child.
“It left me with a lot of problems,” he said. I constantly craved company and turned to women. I felt safe in the company of women.
Ron released his autobiography, Lord of The Weddings, in 2014, and is still working on his second book, The Wife Collector, which he says is set to be released alongside a movie being made in the US.
His days now are very different than when he was a serial husband. Now he’s pretty much confined to his apartment, aside from occasional shopping trips with his caretakers.
He said, “I spend my days in a lot of pain.” I can’t really do anything because I’m shaking so much.
Ron married his wife number seven, Wan, in 2003 (left) and his last marriage was in 2004 to Wing (right), which lasted 11 years until the couple divorced in 2015.
Ron is not in contact with any of his wives but is looking forward to moving to the Isle of Wight to be close to his children and their families (pictured with his eighth wife, Wing)
I have caregivers who come to my aid three times a day. They cook meals for me, check on me, and shop.
“I don’t really go out at all except for when I go shopping occasionally with my caregivers.”
Ron is not in contact with any of his wives but is looking forward to moving to the Isle of Wight to be close to his children and their families.
“I have an organized care home but I’m just waiting on social services,” said Ron.
“I am looking forward to getting there and starting a new chapter in my life.”
But is Ron definitely ruling out any further love affair? He laughed, “If I meet a nice lady in the care home, I think I’ll keep her as a friend.”
I’ve eaten enough wedding cake over the years. You’ve finished going up the driveway.
