George Best’s Girlfriends – Inside the Love Life of Football’s First Superstar
Writing about George Best’s girlfriends means revisiting one of football’s most fascinating and chaotic journeys.
He walked through life with dazzling charm, extravagant flair, and a knack for both scoring goals and breaking hearts. From the moment he burst onto the Manchester United scene in the mid-1960s until his final days, Best’s romances often made as much news as his dribbling runs.
Early Loves Before the Fame
Before the Miss Worlds and glamorous nightclubs, George’s first romance was surprisingly ordinary.
As a teenage Manchester United apprentice, he dated a girl who worked in a local bakery. It didn’t last long, but it marked the start of his lifelong fascination with beautiful women.
By his own admission, he was “addicted to womanising” from the very beginning, and admirers were never far away.
Eva Haraldsted: The First Serious Affair
George’s first big relationship was with Eva Haraldsted, a Danish beauty.
Their romance went beyond a fling. But in 1969, Eva sued George for breach of promise after he ended their engagement. It was a scandal that captured the spirit of swinging sixties Britain and showed just how complicated George Best’s girlfriends could make his life.
Actresses and Starlets
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, George was a superstar, and the women he dated reflected that.
He had a whirlwind three-week romance with actress Susan George in 1969. He was also linked to Sinéad Cusack after a notorious weekend at her Islington flat, and later to Australian actress Annette Andre.
Each relationship fed the headlines and added to his reputation as much as his goals on the pitch.
George Best’s Girlfriends Among the Miss Worlds
No story of George Best’s girlfriends is complete without mentioning his romances with Miss World winners.
In 1973, he dated Marjorie Wallace, who had just been crowned Miss World. Their love affair was dramatic and ended in a very public fallout.
A few years later came Mary Stavin, Miss World 1977. From 1982 to 1985, they were one of the most photographed couples in London. But George’s drinking and unpredictable lifestyle took its toll.
| Name | Profession | Approx. Date |
|---|---|---|
| Unnamed girlfriend | Bakery worker in Manchester | c.1963–1964 |
| Eva Haraldsted | Danish model | c.1967–1969 |
| Sinéad Cusack | Actress | 1968 |
| Susan George | Actress | 1969 |
| Annette Andre | Australian actress | 1970 |
| Marjorie Wallace | Miss World 1973 | 1973–1974 |
| Lynsey de Paul | Singer | Mid-1970s |
| Germaine Greer | Writer & feminist academic | Mid-1970s |
| Barbara Windsor | Actress | Mid-1970s |
| Angie MacDonald-Janes (Angie Best) | Model, Playboy Bunny | Met 1975, married 1978, divorced 1986 |
| Mary Stavin | Miss World 1977 | c.1982–1985 |
| Alex Pursey (Alex Best) | Flight attendant | Married 1995, separated 2004 |
| Gina DeVivo | Known partner | Late 1990s |
| Rosalyn Hollidge | Met through recovery circles | Late 1990s / early 2000s |
| Angie Lynn | Model | Early 2000s |
| Mary Shatila | Known partner | Early 2000s |
Celebrity Encounters and the Playboy Scene
George’s romances weren’t limited to models and beauty queens.
He had a fling with singer Lynsey de Paul, was linked to actress Barbara Windsor, and even connected with feminist writer Germaine Greer.
These encounters weren’t always long-term, but they added to the image of George as a man who thrived in the company of stars.
The Marriages: Angie Best and Alex Best
Angie Best
George’s first marriage was to Angie MacDonald-Janes, a model and former Playboy Bunny. They met in 1975 and married in Las Vegas three years later.
They had a son, Calum Best, but George’s drinking made family life turbulent. The couple divorced in 1986, though Angie later said she always loved him.
Alex Best
George remarried in 1995, this time to Alex Pursey, a flight attendant. Their wedding was delayed after George went missing on a drinking spree, but they eventually tied the knot.
Alex stood by him through some of his toughest battles with alcohol before they split in 2004. She often defended him even after their separation.
Later Years and Reflections
In later life, George was still linked to women including Gina DeVivo, Rosalyn Hollidge, Angie Lynn, and Mary Shatila.
These romances were quieter but revealed a softer, more reflective side to a man whose charm never really faded.
The Legacy of George Best’s Girlfriends
Despite his legendary womanising, George’s relationships were never just about glamour. They showed the impulsive, passionate, and often troubled man behind the superstar image.
As Angie Best once said, “George is the only man I ever loved.” Others echoed that feeling, showing there was always more to him than the tabloid stories.
The tale of George Best’s girlfriends is not just a roll call of names. It is a vivid sweep through the clubs, catwalks, casinos, and late-night adventures of a vanished era, alive with laughter, heartbreak, and unforgettable drama.
