What to know about divorce and money
Plus: 🎥 Jameela Jamil 🧬 longevity ladies ⚽ white shorts
Divorce and money are hardly at the top of anyone’s conversation list.
But we should be talking about them, because the financial fallout of divorce hits women hardest.
Research reveals that one in four women struggle financially after a split (from a heterosexual couple), compared to just 16% of men.
Asking tough questions - as well as taking key steps in the first 30 days - can help you find security after a tough experience, writes Sally Matthews from financial planners Paradigm Norton.
Find out more in our lead article below.
It’s part of The Female Lead’s new campaign to #CloseTheMoneyGap, which we’re thrilled to kick off this week. Scroll down to find tips on getting started in investing, even when you think you’re “late” to it, from Ayesha Ofori of Propelle.
The Money Gap is a disparity that starts in childhood with pocket money, and extends into our pension years, leaving women with less money and less financial knowledge than men.
Thank you to the thousands of you who took our survey last month, to support our research into how women really feel about money and what they need to thrive financially. Look our for our research report in the coming months. We can’t wait to share it with you.
In this issue of Take The Lead, we’re also talking about ‘longevity ladies’, actress Lupita Nyong’o’s decade-long struggle with fibroids, and how to make negotiation part of your everyday routine.
Enjoy, share it with your friends, and please let us know what you think.
The Female Lead Team
We’re talking about…
🧬 A new wave of female scientists and advocates – nicknamed the “longevity ladies” – is putting women’s biology at the centre of ageing research. From ovarian health to the second X chromosome, their work is unlocking breakthroughs.
🥊 The all-female boxing card at Madison Square Garden, headlined by Taylor vs Serrano, set a Guinness record for most titles in one night. Streamed on Netflix, it's being hailed as a turning point for women’s boxing.
⚽ Women’s football is rethinking kit design, after research presented last week at the Euros linked white shorts to performance anxiety. The study, originally published in 2024, found teams in white shorts scored fewer points - likely due to period concerns.
🧠 Actress Lupita Nyong’o shared her decade-long struggle with uterine fibroids, launching a research grant and urging legislative action to improve women’s reproductive health. It’s a widespread condition that remains underfunded.
Inspire me…
“It will just make every woman feel better about her day. Because I can guarantee my day - at some point - was worse. And I've been through something more humiliating, degrading and harder to get myself out of, than she will be on that day.”
Jameela Jamil speaking about her podcast, Wrong Turns. Watch the full video here.
What every woman should know about money after divorce
By Sally Matthews, Client Manager at Paradigm Norton
Divorce can be one of life’s most monumental challenges, leading to emotional upheaval, and for many, the destabilisation of a foundation that had been built with “forever” in mind.
But for women, the challenges can be unusually pronounced when it comes to finances.
While approximately 70% of divorces are initiated by women, women most often take the brunt of its consequences, certainly in the UK, with their average income dropping by 41% post-divorce (compared to 21% for men).
Here’s how you can prepare for the best financial outcome if you’re getting divorced.
Read more in the full article here
Toolbox: How to invest, even if you're starting "late"
From Ayesha Ofori, Founder and CEO of Propelle
🤔 Why: Many women feel behind when it comes to money and investing - especially if they've taken time out of work for caring responsibilities or just weren't taught how to manage and grow wealth. If you have money just sitting in a cash savings account, it's not working as hard as it should be. Yes, investing comes with some risk, but how you invest can remove a lot of that risk. And starting "late"… it's still starting - and that matters more than you think.
🔧 How: Start small and think long-term. Keep things simple - investing doesn't need to be complicated to be effective.
1. Set specific financial goals. Example: "I want £30,000 for a house deposit in 5 years." Be specific about money needed and timeframe.
2. Choose an investment platform. Research and choose one that resonates with you. Consider ease of use, fees, and whether they're speaking your kind of language.
3. Pick an investment. A global diversified fund is a great place to start. A good platform will guide you.
4. Automate your investments. Set up monthly automatic investments. Even £25 a month adds up.
5. Check in, but not daily. Investing is long-term, so daily movements shouldn't matter. Every three months works well.
Remember: small, regular steps compound over time. You don't need it "perfect" - you just need to begin.
Ayesha Ofori is a former wealth manager from Goldman Sachs, and the founder and CEO of Propelle, the UK's first female-focused investment platform designed to help women invest with confidence and build long-term wealth.
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