Louise Thompson – From Made in Chelsea Star to Resilient Author and Women’s Health Advocate
Who Is Louise Thompson?
Louise Thompson is a British television personality, author, entrepreneur, and campaigner for women’s health. Rising to fame through the E4 reality series Made in Chelsea, she has since evolved into a powerful voice for recovery, motherhood, and mental health advocacy. Over the years, she has navigated fame, personal trauma, and life-threatening health challenges — transforming her journey into one of strength, honesty, and resilience.
Born on 26 March 1990 in South Kensington, London, Louise Anne de Courcy Thompson is now 35 years old. She is the daughter of Karen Thompson and the sister of Sam Thompson, who is also a well-known television personality and radio presenter.
Standing at 1.52 metres (5 feet) tall, Louise may be small in stature, but her impact on television, business, and advocacy is remarkable.
Louise Thompson’s Early Life and Education
Louise was educated at Downe House School, a leading independent girls’ boarding school known for its academic and creative excellence. She later attended The University of Edinburgh, where she earned a degree in Geography and Geosciences. Her education helped shape her analytical and entrepreneurial mindset — skills she would later channel into her multiple business ventures and wellness initiatives.
Even during her student years, Louise displayed ambition and independence, showing an early flair for creativity, communication, and leadership — qualities that would serve her throughout her television and business career.
Rise to Fame: Made in Chelsea
Louise first appeared on E4’s hit reality show Made in Chelsea in 2011, during its second series. Her natural charm and candid personality quickly made her a fan favourite. Over the next seven years, she became one of the most recognisable faces on the show, chronicling her friendships, romances, and emotional growth in the public eye.
She later appeared on Channel 4’s The Jump in 2015, finishing in fourth place, demonstrating her courage and adventurous spirit. By 2018, after nearly a decade in the spotlight, she decided to step back from Made in Chelsea to focus on her health, family, and growing business portfolio.
Entrepreneurial Journey: From Fashion to Fitness
Beyond television, Louise Thompson has built a successful entrepreneurial career. She co-founded Pocket Sport, a London-based activewear brand, in 2012. Under her leadership as Joint CEO, the brand became known for combining fashion with functionality, targeting modern women who value both style and performance. Louise led the company until August 2024, when she stepped back to focus on new ventures.
In 2018, she and her fiancé Ryan Libbey launched Live Like Louise, a wellness and lifestyle platform promoting sustainable fitness and holistic wellbeing. The brand offers fitness programmes, nutrition coaching, and online challenges aimed at helping individuals lead balanced and confident lives.
Her entrepreneurial mindset extends to Louise Thompson Broadcast, her media venture dedicated to authentic storytelling, podcasting, and partnerships with global brands.
Author and Columnist
In 2023, Louise published her deeply personal memoir Lucky: Learning to Live Again, through Penguin Random House UK. The Sunday Times bestseller recounts her harrowing health journey, including her near-fatal birth experience and recovery from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The book’s raw honesty resonated with readers, earning widespread acclaim and positioning her as an important voice in trauma awareness and women’s health.
She also writes as a columnist for YOU Magazine (Daily Mail), contributing thoughtful articles on topics such as mental health, sobriety, self-acceptance, and the realities of modern motherhood. Her column “Five Things I’ve Learned from Going Sober” drew particular attention for its authenticity and relatability.
Louise Thompson’s Birth Story and Health Challenges
One of the most defining chapters of Louise Thompson’s life began in November 2021, when she gave birth to her son Leo-Hunter Libbey. What should have been a joyous moment turned into a life-threatening ordeal. Louise suffered severe complications during childbirth, including a near-fatal haemorrhage and uterine rupture, leading to multiple emergency surgeries and a lengthy stay in intensive care.
In the aftermath, she developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and struggled with ongoing health challenges. She was later diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
In April 2024, Louise underwent stoma surgery, a major operation that changed her life. She now lives with a stoma bag, which she openly discusses to destigmatise chronic illness and body image issues. Her transparency about these conditions has inspired countless followers navigating similar struggles.
What Happened to Louise Thompson?
To many who followed her journey on social media, the question “What happened to Louise Thompson?” refers to her sudden disappearance from public life after childbirth. The truth was that she was fighting for survival and recovering from both physical and psychological trauma.
Over the past few years, she has documented her healing journey on Instagram (@louise.thompson), offering raw reflections on anxiety, recovery, motherhood, and gratitude. Her openness transformed her image from a reality TV star to a trauma survivor and mental health spokesperson.
By 2025, Louise proudly shared that she had gone 12 months without any emergency surgeries, celebrating her regained strength and renewed sense of purpose.
Louise Thompson on Instagram: From Glamour to Authenticity
Louise’s Instagram profile (@louise.thompson) has over 1.5 million followers and more than 6,000 posts. Once filled with glamorous lifestyle content, her feed now serves as an honest chronicle of her life’s evolution — from reality TV fame to motherhood and advocacy.
Her bio reads:
“I wear many hats. Campaigner for women’s health (birth rights, IBD, stoma life, PTSD, motherhood). I talk @hesaid.shesaid.podcast. I write ✍ books.”
Her posts range from joyful family moments to candid discussions about body image, resilience, and self-compassion. Through her vulnerability, she has built a genuine connection with her audience, especially women navigating similar battles.
Podcast: He Said, She Said
In October 2024, Louise and her fiancé Ryan Libbey launched their podcast, He Said, She Said, which quickly gained a loyal audience. The show offers honest conversations about relationships, parenting, and personal growth.
Each episode explores real-life dilemmas submitted by listeners, blending humour, empathy, and transparency. The couple’s dynamic allows them to tackle difficult subjects — from communication struggles to family balance — offering comfort and relatability to others facing the same issues.
Louise Thompson’s Family Life
Louise has been engaged to Ryan Libbey since 2018. The couple met through Made in Chelsea, where Ryan appeared as a cast member and fitness coach. Their bond has endured through extraordinary challenges, including the trauma surrounding Leo’s birth.
Their son, Leo-Hunter, now four years old, is a frequent source of joy and inspiration in her posts. Louise often shares heartfelt family moments, describing Leo as her “light through the darkness.”
Though still engaged, the pair have spoken publicly about delaying their wedding, focusing instead on healing, family, and business ventures. Ryan once described their dream wedding as skiing “down a mountain in my suit, chasing Louise in her flowing white dress” — a reflection of their adventurous and unconventional spirit.
Louise Thompson’s Advocacy and Public Impact
Louise’s resilience has transformed her into a leading advocate for women’s health and birth trauma awareness. She serves as an Ambassador for Crohn’s & Colitis UK and the Birth Trauma Association (UK), using her platform to push for better maternal care, mental health support, and open dialogue around invisible illnesses.
Her advocacy extends to social change, encouraging women to prioritise self-care and reject unrealistic societal expectations. Her candid storytelling challenges the notion of “perfect motherhood” and replaces it with compassion and authenticity.
Louise Thompson Today
As of 2025, Louise continues to balance her multiple roles — author, mother, entrepreneur, and campaigner. Her life today reflects a shift from external success to inner peace. Through her book, podcast, and online presence, she continues to inspire others to embrace vulnerability, resilience, and gratitude.
Her story is not just one of survival but of rebirth — a journey from reality television fame to becoming one of Britain’s most authentic voices for mental and physical wellbeing.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Louise Anne de Courcy Thompson |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 March 1990 |
| Age | 35 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | South Kensington, London, UK |
| Parents | Karen Thompson |
| Siblings | Sam Thompson |
| Education | Downe House School, University of Edinburgh (Geography & Geosciences) |
| Partner | Ryan Libbey (fiancé since 2018) |
| Son | Leo-Hunter Libbey (born 2021) |
| Height | 1.52 metres |
| Known For | Made in Chelsea, Lucky: Learning to Live Again, He Said She Said Podcast |
| Advocacy | Women’s health, birth trauma, PTSD, IBD awareness |
In Summary
Louise Thompson’s journey from television star to trauma survivor and advocate is a testament to courage and reinvention. She has faced unimaginable challenges yet emerged as an example of strength, authenticity, and compassion. Today, she continues to inspire millions by showing that even in our darkest seasons, healing — and happiness — are possible.
FAQs
1. Is Louise Thompson married?
No, Louise Thompson is not married. She has been engaged to her long-term partner Ryan Libbey since 2018, and the couple share a son named Leo-Hunter.
2. How tall is Louise Thompson?
Louise Thompson is approximately 1.52 metres tall, which is around 5 feet.
3. How old is Louise Thompson?
She was born on 26 March 1990, which makes her 35 years old as of 2025.
4. What happened to Louise Thompson?
Louise experienced a life-threatening childbirth in November 2021, suffering a severe haemorrhage and undergoing multiple emergency surgeries. She later developed ulcerative colitis and PTSD, eventually requiring stoma surgery in 2024. She has since become a strong advocate for women’s health and recovery.
5. Who is Louise Thompson?
Louise Thompson is a British television personality, author, and entrepreneur best known for Made in Chelsea. She is also a wellness advocate, columnist for YOU Magazine, and the author of the best-selling memoir Lucky: Learning to Live Again.
