Robin Leach

Monday, June 23, 2003

By Patricia Sheridan, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

From "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" to his most recent appearance in last season's "I'm a Celebrity -- Get Me Out of Here," Robin Leach has entertained and informed since he began his television career as a reporter for KABC-TV in Los Angeles and later WABC-TV in New York. Leach is the author of three books and will once again emcee Joe Hardy's Royal Reception, featuring Jerry Seinfeld, at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa this weekend. For more information about the event, call 724-329-8555.

Q. Did you expect "I'm a Celebrity -- Get Me Out of Here" to be as physically demanding as it was?

A. [Laughing.] In every sense, yes, except for the extraordinary rainfall. I had never been through a night of 20 inches of rain. But, yeah, the hiking in and the living conditions and sleep deprivation and food deprivation, I was prepared for that.

Q. Why do you think you were the first one voted off?

A. I consider that a badge of courage. First of all, you have to remember I would have loved to stay longer and made more money for my charities, Alzheimer's here in Las Vegas and City Meals on Wheels in New York, but it's better to either be the last person standing or the first person out. Everything in between is forgotten. The reason that they did that is the producers of the show elected not to show me cooking three meals a day and standing in the fireplace and collecting all the water. But I understand why I was voted out. I was edited to look as if I was a lazy, old man who did nothing but make demands.

Q. Were you longing for the days of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"?

A. No. I mean, I love every aspect of life, whatever it is. I'm comfortable, you know, cooking in the middle of a wood fire with one spoon and a pot, as much as I am being in the world's best restaurant having champagne and caviar.

Q. Who had the most luxurious lifestyle you ever witnessed?

A. Well, you know when we were doing the show we spent three months following a man called Adnan Kashoggi, who at the time was the richest man in the world. I had never ever seen a lifestyle like that in my life. This man just circled the globe in his own 747. Wherever he went, he had a home. He had the biggest sea-going yacht in the world, with its own disco and hospital.

Q. Which would you rather have -- true love or lots of money?

A. [Laughing.] Well, let me answer it this way -- without money it's tough to make love work in this day and age. So you need some money. But, the primary thing is true love supersedes money, and it's always better to have a thousand smiles in your heart than it is to have a thousand dollars in your wallet.

Q. Have you ever married? And are you still married? Would you marry again?

A. Yes and no. I was married seven years. Though neither of us got the itch, it wasn't working. You never say never, as James Bond said, but it's not on my agenda. I've been in love since, and the lady insisted that we get married, and I said no, because I thought the relationship was fine and I didn't want to poison it with the M word.

Q. Do you ever worry women want you for your money?

A. [Laughing more.] You're a woman -- let me really infuriate you. Every woman's lawyer wants you for your money. Right. No, I'm not suspicious. I like to think I'm liked for me and not what's in the bank.

Q. Have you ever been to the Neverland Ranch?

A. No. I've had breakfast and lunch with Michael [Jackson] a long time ago when normalcy seemed to reign. In fact, I think that was even before Neverland.

Q. Where do you spend the most time now?

A. I'm Las Vegas-based. And I still do lots of things out of New York City. I still have land down in the Caribbean.

Q. How did champagne become your signature drink?

A. It always has been. Champagne to me has always marked festive occasions and celebrations, and I thought every time you drank it should be a festive celebration.

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