showbiz gossip straight to your inbox with the Daily Star's FREE newsletterMary Portas has lead an intriguing life and by pure chance, somehow managed to stumble into the showbiz world.When she was just 16, Mary's mother sadly passed away after suffering Encephalitis - inflammation on the brain.The Watford-born lass who is now 61, was coming to terms with her grief of losing one parent at the time, when her father had a tragic heartache just two years later.Mary had aspired to become an actress but had to turn down a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in order to take care of her younger brother Lawrence.Taking any job that she could get, Mary began part time work at John Lewis before landing a full-time job at Harrods and later.
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