Where does Michael Portillo live now? His Spanish home and London residence
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Michael Portillo splits his time between two homes: a primary residence in London and a beloved second home in Carmona, a historic town in Andalucía, southern Spain, roughly 20 minutes outside Seville. The broadcaster and former Conservative politician has spoken openly about both properties, and his Spanish retreat has even inspired its own television series. Does Michael Portillo live with his wife? Yes — he has been married to Carolyn Claire Eadie since 12 February 1982, and the couple share both residences.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Profile summary
- Where does Michael Portillo live now?
- Does Michael Portillo live with his wife?
- How many children does Michael Portillo have?
- Who is Carolyn Eadie?
- Michael Portillo's career: from Westminster to the railways
- Latest news: Spain with Michael Portillo (2026)
- Michael Portillo's net worth
- FAQs
Key takeaways
- Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo was born on 26 May 1953 in Bushey, Hertfordshire, and holds dual British and Spanish citizenship.
- He and wife Carolyn Claire Eadie have been married since 1982 and have no children.
- Their Spanish retreat is located in Carmona, approximately 20 minutes from Seville.
- Portillo's net worth is estimated at £8–10 million, built across politics, broadcasting, and publishing.
- His latest series, Spain with Michael Portillo, aired on Channel 5 from January 2026.
Profile summary
Full name | Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo |
Date of birth | 26 May 1953 |
Birthplace | Bushey, Hertfordshire |
Nationality | British / Spanish |
Occupation | Broadcaster, journalist, former politician |
Married | 1982 |
Children | None |
UK home | London |
Second home | Carmona, Andalucía, Spain |
Where does Michael Portillo live now?
When they are not at home in the UK, Michael and his wife Carolyn are often found at their second home in Spain — specifically Carmona, approximately 20 minutes outside Seville.
Andalucía is an area Michael knows and loves, and one where he lives for part of the year.
The Carmona house: ancient history beneath the floors
The Spanish property is no ordinary holiday home. After purchasing their Carmona house, Michael — who has Spanish heritage — decided to create a TV series about the area. He was further inspired when he discovered ancient remains underneath the floors of the property.
Speaking to Express Online, Portillo revealed:
"Carolyn and I have bought a lovely house near Seville. I have a large number of cousins in Spain and I tend to be the organiser of reunions and parties."
Writing in The Telegraph in 2023, Michael elaborated: "Carmona is full of layers of history. In my house, which we're going to visit in the last programme, I discovered Roman mosaics, Visigothic artifacts, and three beautiful Islamic horseshoe arches from pre 1248. This idea of history is everywhere in layers."
Why Carmona?
Portillo is of mixed Spanish-Scottish heritage. His father, Luis Gabriel Portillo, was an exiled Spanish republican born in 1907, while his mother was Scottish. The Carmona purchase is a meaningful return to his roots. He told Express Online: "Carolyn and I have bought a lovely house near Seville. I have a large number of cousins in Spain and I tend to be the organiser of reunions and parties."
His London base
Portillo maintains a primary residence in London. He served as Member of Parliament for Enfield Southgate from 1984 to 1997, and later for Kensington and Chelsea from 1999 to 2005, keeping close ties to the capital throughout his career. He continues to be based in London for his broadcasting commitments.
Does Michael Portillo live with his wife?
Yes. Michael Portillo and Carolyn Eadie married in 1982, marking the beginning of a partnership that has lasted over four decades.
Through it all, Carolyn has been the steady partner in the background, offering support while maintaining her independence. Unlike many political marriages that strain under the weight of public attention, their union seems to thrive on complementary differences — one public, the other private.
How many children does Michael Portillo have?
Carolyn and Michael do not have children. Shortly after their marriage, Carolyn was diagnosed with cancer, which led to surgery that unfortunately affected her ability to have children.
One aspect of their life that has attracted public interest is their decision not to have children. In interviews, Portillo has mentioned that this was a mutual decision, though he has not elaborated on the reasons behind it.
Michael Portillo's daughter — the facts
Michael Portillo does not have a daughter. He has no biological children. Searches for "Michael Portillo's daughter" frequently surface online, but there is no verified basis for this. The couple have chosen to keep their personal life private, and Portillo has never publicly discussed having any children.
Who is Carolyn Eadie?
Carolyn Eadie developed her own career in executive recruitment while supporting her husband through political highs, career transitions, and personal challenges. She has always lived her life away from the spotlight and is not interested in sharing the limelight with her husband.
Michael Portillo's career: from Westminster to the railways
Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo is a British journalist, broadcaster, and retired politician. He became a Member of Parliament in 1984 for Enfield Southgate, representing the Conservative Party. His political career accelerated quickly as he took on junior roles under Margaret Thatcher and John Major.
He served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury (1992–1994), Secretary of State for Employment (1994–1995), and Secretary of State for Defence (1995–1997).
His 1997 general election defeat — losing his Enfield Southgate seat live on television — became one of British politics' most famous moments. He retired from politics in 2005 to pursue a career in the media.
Television career and railway documentaries
He is best known for hosting railway-themed documentary series, including Great British Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys.
He went on to present more than 40 series of railway and travel documentaries across the BBC and Channel 5. His income sources include:
- Television presenting fees (BBC and Channel 5)
- Book royalties and publishing deals
- Journalism and newspaper columns
- Public speaking engagements
- Political pension
Latest news: Spain with Michael Portillo (2026)
Spain with Michael Portillo is a brand-new eight-part series on Channel 5, in which the broadcaster sets out to prove there is still plenty to discover far from the well-trodden tourist routes.
Spain with Michael Portillo first aired on Thursday, 8 January 2026, at 8:00pm on Channel 5. From Barcelona and Bilbao to Murcia and Asturias, Michael reveals the spots the Spanish have kept to themselves. In Ibiza, he joins an ancient festival celebrating water; in Almería he explores one of the world's greatest hidden treasures; on Mallorca, he shows viewers a part of the island lost to time.
Beyond his railway work, Portillo has built a separate travelogue strand on Channel 5 since late 2023, covering Andalucía, Madrid, Prague, Milan, Sicily, Lisbon, and Stockholm. In March 2025, Portugal with Michael Portillo aired across six episodes on Channel 5.
Michael Portillo's net worth
Michael Portillo's net worth sits at an estimated £8 million to £10 million — a figure he has never confirmed and one that can be traced through the career that built it, running from the Conservative Cabinet of the 1990s to close to 400 BBC documentary episodes filmed across six continents.
His income comes primarily from TV presenting (especially his railway series), book sales, journalism columns, public speaking, and his earlier political salary.
FAQs
- Where does Michael Portillo live now? He splits his time between a home in London and a second property in Carmona, Andalucía, approximately 20 minutes outside Seville in southern Spain.
- Does Michael Portillo live with his wife? Yes. Michael Portillo has been married to Carolyn Claire Eadie since 1982 — more than four decades, long before television made him a household name for railway adventures.
- How many children does Michael Portillo have? Even though Carolyn Eadie and Michael Portillo have been married for over four decades, they have no children together.
- Does Michael Portillo have a daughter? No. Michael Portillo has no children — biological or otherwise. Searches for "Michael Portillo's daughter" return no verified results.
- Who is Michael Portillo's partner? He has been married to Carolyn Claire Eadie since 12 February 1982. She works as an executive recruiter and largely avoids the public eye.
- What is Michael Portillo's net worth? As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be between £8 million and £10 million, reflecting a successful transition from high-level politics to a celebrated media career.
- What is Michael Portillo's latest TV show? Spain with Michael Portillo first aired on Channel 5 in January 2026, an eight-part series exploring lesser-known corners of Spain.
- Why did Michael Portillo buy a house in Spain? Michael, who has Spanish heritage, bought the Carmona property and decided to create a TV series all about the area he now calls home. He also has a large number of cousins in Spain.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.