Cheryl Thomasgood, 65, from Somerset, is finally opening up about a life-changing decision she made over 30 years ago—leaving her husband and three children to start a new life with a Maasai warrior in Kenya. Her story, which once captivated the world, now serves as a sobering reminder about the complexities of cross-cultural relationships and the impact of impulsive choices.
In 1994, at age 34, Cheryl met Daniel Lekimencho, a young Maasai warrior performing traditional dances at a hotel in Mombasa, Kenya. Drawn by his charisma and the allure of a vastly different way of life, she ended her second marriage and left her children behind to embrace Daniel’s world in the remote Samburu region.
She adopted Maasai customs wholeheartedly—living in a mud hut, cooking over open fires, and subsisting on a diet including cabbage and cow’s blood. Yet, the stark cultural and lifestyle differences soon introduced tensions. In 1995, the couple returned to the UK, married in traditional Maasai attire, and settled on the Isle of Wight, where they raised a daughter, Mitsi.
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However, the fairytale soon unraveled. Cheryl reveals that Daniel, once deeply spiritual, grew preoccupied with material wealth, desiring designer clothes and a bigger house, which strained their relationship. She confesses feeling used financially and emotionally while witnessing frequent arguments. Despite the challenges, Daniel found joy only in performing his Maasai dances, a highlight for their children but a source of frustration for Cheryl.
The cultural divide and pressures of assimilating into British life culminated in their separation in 1999, just four years after their wedding. Cheryl admits that part of her stayed in the marriage to prove wrong those who judged her choices. She also acknowledges the deeper personal struggles she faced—childhood trauma and an unhappy previous marriage—that initially drove her to seek solace abroad.
Reflecting on the past, Cheryl expresses deep regret about the impact her decisions had on her children, who missed out on a stable father figure. While Daniel remained in the UK and now works at a local supermarket, Cheryl has since reconciled with all her children—Steve, Tommy, Chloe, and Mitsi—and regards her daughter with Daniel as a blessing amid the turmoil.
Having endured three marriages, Cheryl says she has no plans to marry again, describing her past unions as a “hat-trick of disasters.” Her message to others is clear: be cautious with holiday romances—they can change your life in ways you may deeply regret.