Richard Desmond

About Me

Richard Desmond founded Northern & Shell, which published the Daily Express newspapers, OK! and Star magazines, and operates UK's Health Lottery. Desmond was raised by his secretary mom in a garage apartment. His parents divorced after his dad, an advertising executive, gambled away their savings. Desmond cofounded his first magazine, International Musician and Recording World, at age 22, then became Penthouse's UK licensee. He expanded to titles like Asian Babes and Posh Housewives, then sold some holdings and went mass market, launching OK! and buying Express Newspapers, including the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Daily Star from United News & Media. In 2018 he sold N&S' publishing arm, including its newspaper and magazine titles, to rival Trinity Mirror (now Reach PLC) for about $177 million in cash plus shares.