Poppy Delevingne suggests 'stigma' was the reason she didn't get divorced sooner

Actress and socialite Poppy Delevingne has suggested that the “stigma” of divorce was the reason her marriage to businessman James Cook did not end sooner.

The 38-year-old, sister of Cara Delevingne, married Mr Cook in 2014 at St Paul's Church in Kensington, London, in a ceremony with a celebrity guest list.

Almost a decade later, the two ended their marriage.

Delevingne said on the podcast “Origins With Cush Jumbo” that they “will always have a good relationship.”

She added: “There is a lot of love and respect there. It just didn't work for us anymore.”

“I met him when I was 20 years old and 15 years is a long time and I think being with someone for 15 years is an achievement and sometimes these things just have to end, but still there was this feeling when it ended, like a surge of freedom.

“And I think I've told you this before, I felt like I was 20 again.”

Delevingne explained that she now feels “completely independent” and that “every decision” is hers.

When asked about the stigma that comes with divorce, she said, “Yeah, I couldn't really believe it. And I think that's why it probably should have been over sooner. And I think one of the reasons it wasn't over is that stigma, which is extraordinary.”

“It actually makes me quite sad that we feel like this is like she's divorced, damaged goods, nobody's going to want you.”

She added: “Especially women in their late thirties who have not yet had a child… It is not an easy decision to make. It is far from difficult.”

“And I think that takes courage. You have to love yourself, put yourself first and be happy. We only get one chance in life. Oh my God, I chose happiness. I chose myself.”

Delevingne, who appeared in “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” and “Riviera” and reportedly dated Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece and Denmark, also said the label “a socialite” undermines “completely everything of value that I have ever done.”

She added: “They want to take me down a notch or two and it's so frustrating because what is that anyway? What is a public figure?”

“Origins With Cush Jumbo” is released on Tuesday.