An office in the garden.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 August 2023 source ↗
money
Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought?
Originally asked
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One of 24 questions in The Q&A here.
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A 28ft motorboat, which sat in the water for two years because I was so busy working.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 September 2023 source ↗
My car. I don’t even drive, but I bought a Toyota hybrid for my assistant.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2023 source ↗
Antiques and art – I collect 17th‑century portraits.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 December 2023 source ↗
A brilliant hi-tech, low weight tent.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 December 2023 source ↗
Around 1972, I bought a Rolls-Royce to treat myself after finally achieving success. The year before, I had three hits: Las Vegas, I Did What I Did for Maria and Amarillo.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 January 2024 source ↗
Art: a James McQueen piece that says, “It’s all shits and giggles until someone giggles and shits.” It’s in our bathroom.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗
My hybrid car. Not glamorous, not fast, but indispensable.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 February 2024 source ↗
I take my family on holiday. We went to Egypt just after Christmas. Golly, it’s expensive.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗
My short film, Scrubber, in 2011. At that time in my life it seemed easier to pay for it myself than to apply for funds.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 September 2024 source ↗
Marina Abramović
Performance artist
A cashmere shawl.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 October 2024 source ↗
A Vivienne Westwood & Burberry two-piece suit I bought for a press night. At the time I was: “Yeah, of course I’m going to be a 30-inch waist for the rest of my life.” Now the trousers don’t fit.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗
A Tesla for my former husband. He didn’t deserve it.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 December 2024 source ↗
Three degrees: I paid my kids’ uni fees.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 April 2025 source ↗
A business-class flight. Pure indulgence.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 May 2025 source ↗
My children’s education.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 June 2025 source ↗
A Biba dress when I really couldn’t afford it. It was every scrap of my money and I’ve never parted with it.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 June 2025 source ↗
Every time I got a lucrative voiceover, I bought a picture. The most expensive was by James Gillray.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗
A hand-painted beaded dress from New York. It weighs about 16lb and cost me £4,000, 30 years ago.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 August 2025 source ↗
My partner was doing a play in Hong Kong last year and I went to visit him, and I bought him a beautiful teacup. But I didn’t look at the price tag before I took it to the till and it was £100, the most expensive teacup imaginable.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 September 2025 source ↗
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