A Glimpse into Jo Malone’s Vibrant Life in Dubai
“Cheers, welcome to Dubai,” Jo Malone beams as she raises a glass of chilled rosé at One&Only The Palm, a luxurious hotel located on one of the emirate’s artificial islands. It’s here that Jo, 61, and her husband, Gary Willcox, 65, have made their home for the past four years. Initially planning a brief stay, they found themselves captivated by the city’s allure and haven’t looked back since.
A Life of Joy and Inspiration
Dubai seems to suit Jo remarkably well. With glowing skin and a dynamic presence, she radiates confidence. “It is probably the happiest I’ve ever been in my life,” she shares, but her journey hasn’t always been easy. Diagnosed with cancer at 38, she reflects on how life can change unexpectedly.
Malone recounts her transition to Dubai in 2021, when she and Gary arrived with dreams of temporary luxury. They ended up staying in their hotel suite, enjoying the unpretentious luxuries of hotel life. Her days often begin with work, followed by a leisurely lunch at the hotel, pool Pilates, and evening Rummikub sessions with Gary, whom she affectionately calls "Gaz."
“I am like the artist in residence,” Malone muses, describing how she draws inspiration for her fragrances from the beach and the garden—spaces where scents mingle with memories. Her synaesthesia amplifies her artistic vision; she experiences smells that aren’t really there, lending almost canine sensitivity to her olfactory perception.
From Kitchen Table to Global Brand
Malone’s rise to fame began in 1990 when she launched her eponymous brand from her kitchen table. Soon, fragrances like Nutmeg & Ginger and Lime, Basil & Mandarin captivated the middle classes. Before her fragrance empire, Malone built her credentials as a facialist for high-profile clients including Diana, Princess of Wales, and Queen Noor of Jordan.
Reflecting on her past, Malone fondly remembers days spent at Buckingham Palace doing facials for Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. “She was a great friend,” Malone says, highlighting how celebrity connections shaped her early career. Yet, her success comes laced with complex family relationships and lessons learned from a challenging upbringing.
Navigating Challenges and Health
In 1999, Malone sold her business to Estée Lauder for millions but retained her creative director role until she severed ties in 2006. Her ambition pushed her to launch Jo Loves in 2011, a line focused on experimental fragrances and lotions. However, this new venture followed a monumental personal challenge: a cancer diagnosis that nearly ended her life.
Told she had less than a year to live, Malone faced fear head-on and fought through aggressive treatment, eventually taking control of her health and survival. Her oncologist, Larry Norton, became a lifelong friend. A pivotal moment came during Elton John’s White Tie & Tiara Ball in 2004 when she felt a renewed sense of hope amidst friends, symbolized by the song "I’m Still Standing."
Yet, the battle left her with a temporary loss of her acute sense of smell, stirring an identity crisis. Malone initially kept her loss to herself, struggling to reconcile her business with her newfound limitations. Eventually, the vibrant smell returned, sparking a mix of remorse and renewed purpose as she pondered the future.
Roots That Ground Her
Malone’s backstory reveals a narrative of resilience. Growing up in a council house in Barnehurst, London, she faced the challenges of a chaotic family environment. Her mother’s struggle with mental health deeply affected her youth, as did her father’s absence due to gambling and erratic behavior. Despite these hurdles, Malone exhibited extraordinary strength, becoming the caretaker for her family.
With dyslexia impacting her academic experience, Malone found her calling through her hands-on involvement in her mother’s beauty business. Her childhood memories are colored with the scents she learned to create, planting the seeds of her future career in fragrances.
A Spiritual Partnership
It was in her late teens, amidst a lonely existence in London, that Malone found her faith and her husband. Gary Willcox became her partner in life and business; they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary recently. Their supportive companionship has been foundational through Malone’s tumultuous journey, both personally and professionally.
Before they moved to Dubai, Malone and Willcox envisioned a life of opportunity—both for themselves and for their business. The emirate’s alluring qualities, including a favorable tax atmosphere, were just icing on the cake.
Life in Dubai: The New Normal
In Dubai, Malone is part of a growing expat community of about 240,000 Brits. The city’s rapid development and infrastructural growth appeal to her entrepreneurial spirit. “I was ahead of the curve,” she reflects, acknowledging that her leap into Dubai was less about immediate business gains and more about personal fulfillment.
The golden visa enables her to embrace the entrepreneurial landscape without the burden of personal income tax—a freedom she cherishes. While maintaining daily routines in their hotel, she balances work and personal life, often cooking meals with hotel chefs or enjoying communal lunches with friends.
Looking Ahead
Malone hints at an exciting business venture beyond fragrances set to be launched soon, signifying her relentless quest for new challenges. “Jo Loves is like my last child,” she remarks, displaying both a protective instinct and fierce ambition as she prepares for its next chapter.
With a cool breeze and the scent of adventure in the air, Jo Malone embodies the spirit of resilience, creativity, and joy in Dubai—a world of opportunity where she continues to build her legacy.
