Hilary Devey Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday: Business & Life

Hilary Devey Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Hilary Devey is a British businesswoman and TV personality, best known for founding the freight-network company Pall-Ex and appearing on Dragons’ Den.

Introduction

Hilary Devey was born on March 10, 1957, and her birthday falls on March 10. A self-made entrepreneur and TV figure, she built her reputation through the freight-distribution company Pall‑Ex and later became a familiar face on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den. Her estimated net worth stands at around US $80 million.  On the personal front, she was married and divorced three times and has one son, indicating that her relationships and personal life were as complex and pivotal as her business story. 

Quick Facts

From Humble Beginnings to Freight-Empire Founder

Hilary’s narrative begins in Bolton, Lancashire, where she witnessed her father’s central-heating company collapse when she was just seven years old. Bailiffs came to the family home, and the young Hilary observed hardship firsthand.  That early experience instilled a fierce determination.

She left school at 16 and briefly served in the Women’s Royal Air Force (air-traffic control and supply accounts).  After that, she moved into logistics roles at firms such as Tibbett & Britten and TNT before spotting a gap in the pallet-distribution market. In 1996 she launched Pall-Ex — a hub-and-spoke pallet network company that pooled freight consignments across hauliers. 

Defining moments in Hilary Devey’s journey include:

• Taking the bold step of selling her house and car to fund Pall-Ex when banks refused her loan. 

• Launching Pall-Ex and growing it into a network with 90 + members and a turnover over £100 million. 

• Transitioning into the public eye via TV, notably joining Dragons’ Den in 2011. 

Her story is one of grit, boldness and unwillingness to accept no for an answer—elements that defined her personal brand and business approach.

The Core Pillars of Hilary Devey’s Wealth

The financial engine behind Hilary Devey’s net worth rests on several key pillars:

• Pall-Ex Group: The freight-distribution company she founded and scaled. Its growth and eventual sale contributed the lion’s share of her wealth. 

• Television & Media: Her role on Dragons’ Den and subsequent TV projects added both income and public recognition, enhancing her brand value. 

• Real Estate & Assets: She owned multiple properties—including homes in the UK, villas abroad—adding asset-value beyond operating business income. 

Some sources break down her wealth roughly as follows:

While exact categories (brand deals, investments) are not publicly itemised, the driving force was company growth and strategic asset holdings.

Relationships & Family Life

Hilary’s personal life, much like her business life, was layered with complexity, resilience and resolve. She was married and divorced three times: to Malcolm Sharples (first marriage 1976), then Ed Devey (2003) and Phillip Childs (2011).  She had one son, Mevlit, born during a prior relationship. 

Key insights into Hilary Devey’s relationships and personal life:

• Despite outward success, she experienced private heartbreak—including discovering an early partner was already married with children. 

• She publicly discussed her son’s battle with drug addiction and credited his recovery as one of her greatest personal challenges. 

• Her multiple marriages and divorces did not define her publicly. Instead, she emphasised a narrative of independence and self-reliance.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond her business pursuits, Hilary Devey lived a lifestyle that reflected both her entrepreneurial success and her personal passions.

• She owned residences in the UK, London, and abroad in places like Morocco and Spain. She also held a Florida mansion, sold for £5.42 million in 2014. 

• She had an interest in philanthropy — for example, her “Penny a Pallet” scheme donated one penny per pallet moved by Pall-Ex to charity. 

• Her hobbies included support for football club Bolton Wanderers and rock music (she was a Status Quo fan). 

Beyond career success, Hilary Devey led a lifestyle that balanced luxury, social contribution, and personal pillars of interest and loyalty.

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Evaluating Hilary Devey’s net worth involves examining her business sale proceeds, media earnings, and asset portfolios.

• Many credible sources estimate her net worth around USD $80 million (or £80 million+). 

• The business exit (sale of Pall-Ex) was a key inflection point in her wealth. 

• Media coverage often highlights that she built the company from scratch (selling her own assets to fund launch) and then scaled it internationally. 

While a full detailed table is limited by publicly available granularity, the pattern is clear: initial risk → company build-up → asset monetisation.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Hilary Devey’s public image blended no-nonsense business acumen with a charismatic on-screen persona. On Dragons’ Den, she stood out for her direct feedback, strong presence, and logistic-industry expertise—an unusual profile in a male-dominated media world. 

Her legacy is three-fold:

1. Industry disruptor – She challenged norms by building a major freight business as a woman in logistics.

2. Media crossover – She used her business success to pivot into television and public advocacy.

3. Empowerment symbol – Her story from early hardship to wealth resonated with entrepreneurs and women in business.

Hilary Devey personal life and professional journey both contributed to her influence—she remained outspoken about what it takes to succeed and supportive of charitable causes, especially those touching her past.

Conclusion

Hilary Devey’s story—born March 10, 1957, with birthday celebrated every March 10—moves from a troubled childhood in Bolton to the helm of a freight-distribution empire and media personality. With an estimated net worth of approximately US $80 million, her relationships, asset holdings and public persona all intertwine to form a compelling portrait of resilience and ambition. Whether through the founding of Pall-Ex or her candid reflections on personal life, she leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond mere numbers. Hilary Devey net worth, relationships, age/birthdate & birthday are more than bullet points—they are chapters of a life driven by vision, risk-taking and purpose.