12.05.03 "Divorce,
never. Murder, frequently!" - Mary Archer on Jeffrey
The
wife of disgraced Conservative peer, Jeffrey Archer, exclusively
talks to Radio Times this week about their marriage, Lord Archer's
plans when he's released from prison, and the scent behind her famous
"fragrant" tag.
Mary Archer tells Radio Times how their marriage has stood the test
of time, despite his humiliating jail sentence and reported infidelity.
"Marriage is聟..OK, it's rooted and grounded on love and
attraction," she says. When asked why she loves him, she replies:
"I don't think he's adorable, but I don't think I'm adorable,
either. I think I have acquired and maintained a sort of independence
within my marriage that is perhaps unusual."
Lady
Archer speaks about how Lord Archer is coping in prison and what
he intends to do upon his release. "I think Jeffrey's treatment
in prison has been unfair," she claims. "He's bored because
the prison won't allow him to go out to work in case The Sun produces
another silly story. And he's been absolutely horrified by drug
abuse in prisons - he might want to do something about that."
Radio
Times asks her if she has ever considered filing for divorce. "I
think Elizabeth Longford, when asked that, said: 'Divorce, never.
Murder, frequently,'" she says.
Mary
Archer also admits that her husband faces a tough future in the
public eye when he eventually finishes his prison sentence. "I
can't rehabilitate Jeffrey's image. He must do that for himself,
and I'm sure he will," she claims. "I think he was unfairly
and ridiculously vilified."
She
also reveals to Radio Times the perfume responsible for her "fragrant"
tag that she's carried for more than 15 years. "Ah. That I
can tell you authoratively," she confesses. "I wear Caleche
by Hermes."
This
interview is taken from the 17 -23 May issue of Radio Times.
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