Property expert Sarah Beeny, known for her pioneering work in the property industry and her role as the host of Sarah Beeny’s New Life in the Country, is embracing a new chapter in her life. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, the 54-year-old mother of four underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction, followed by the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes in 2023. But today, Sarah is focusing on her future—and helping others find love through her relaunched dating platform, MySingleFriend.
A Rocky Road to Recovery
“It was a whirlwind,” Sarah says, reflecting on the past few years. Her diagnosis came as a shock, but she considers herself lucky, having been diagnosed early. “I was fortunate to get diagnosed in time, and my treatment was successful. I have a whole life to live now,” she smiles.
While 2022 marked the beginning of her battle with cancer, 2023 brought a brighter turn as Sarah’s health improved and she was given the all-clear. “Cancer was the Big Bad Wolf to me, and now I’ve had it. It feels like a lifetime ago,” she says, her resilience shining through.
Family Life Amid Challenges
Sarah has been open about the struggles she faced during treatment, including the strain it put on her marriage to her husband, artist Graham Swift. In a previous podcast interview, Sarah admitted that the ordeal nearly pushed their 34-year relationship to the limit. However, she quickly clarified her comments, explaining that they were taken out of context. “I think the interviewer asked how my marriage had been going, and I joked, ‘We’re hanging by a thread.’ But that was out of context. We’re doing okay,” Sarah reassures.
Despite the challenges, Sarah acknowledges that every relationship has its ups and downs. “There have been bumps in the road, but what relationship is perfect? If you don’t have the bad times, you don’t appreciate the good ones,” she says.
A New Chapter in Love
In addition to her personal recovery, Sarah is relaunching MySingleFriend, the dating platform she created years ago. She’s now giving it a fresh, “video-first” approach to help people find love more easily. “It felt like unfinished business,” Sarah explains. “I’ve always been a connector, and I’ve had thousands of people tell me they found love through MySingleFriend.”
Sarah’s own experiences with love—meeting Graham at 18 and marrying him in 2002—have shaped her views on relationships. “I’d definitely try online dating if I hadn’t met Graham,” she admits. “What else are you going to do? Stand on a street corner?”
The Power of Nature and Family
Moving to the countryside with her family in 2019 was a significant turning point for Sarah’s mental health. “It’s made such a difference to my mental health. I walk our dogs every day and plant vegetables. Nature is incredibly calming,” she says, reflecting on the quieter life she’s building with Graham and their children.
Despite her hectic schedule, which includes managing the renovation of their Somerset property, Sarah is committed to her family. Her children—Billy, 21, Charlie, 20, Rafferty, 17, and Laurie, 16—are flourishing. The band they formed, The Entitled Sons, is gaining momentum, with their recent headline performance at Shepherd’s Bush Empire and a new single coming out in June.
Sarah is also looking ahead, with plans to launch a YouTube channel and a new series, Help! I Bought It At Auction, which she hopes will return for a second season.
Looking Ahead with Hope
As Sarah’s health continues to improve, she’s grateful for the support of her family and the opportunity to help others. “Cancer was a huge challenge, but it’s not on my list of top 10 things anymore,” she says. Her focus now is on the future—on her family, her career, and helping others find love.
“I’m endlessly dissatisfied,” Sarah admits, “but I love a challenge. And I’ll always keep pushing forward.”
