Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. You can check out at any time for more information.

In a poignant revelation, Cheryl Thomasgood, a woman who left behind her husband and three children to pursue a relationship with a Masai warrior in Kenya, has opened up about her regrets and the emotional toll of that chapter in her life. Now aged 65 and residing peacefully in a quaint seaside town in Somerset, UK, Cheryl has decided to break her silence more than three decades after her story gained international attention.

Cheryl's life took a drastic turn in 1994 when she made the bold decision to leave her comfortable suburban home on the Isle of Wight. Her choice to relocate to the remote Samburu region of Kenya was primarily driven by a deep yearning for spiritual healing and an escape from unresolved personal trauma. According to an article by The Mirror, Cheryl was 34 when she first encountered Daniel Lekimencho, a charismatic Masai warrior known for performing traditional dances for tourists at the Bamburi Beach Hotel in Mombasa.

Drawn in by his charm and the allure of an entirely different lifestyle, Cheryl ended her marriage to her second husband, Mike, and left their three children behind. She embarked on a new life with Daniel, who was ten years her junior, embracing the customs and traditions of the Masai culture. This included living in a mud hut, cooking over open fires, and adopting a diet that featured cabbage and cow's blood. However, the initial excitement of this new lifestyle began to wane as time passed, revealing the stark contrasts between their backgrounds and expectations, which started to create strain in their relationship.

In a significant turn of events in 1995, Cheryl and Daniel returned to the UK, where they married on Valentine's Day, adorned in traditional Masai attire. They settled back on the Isle of Wight, where Cheryl's children lived, and welcomed their daughter Mitsi into the world, who is now 27. However, Cheryl soon discovered that the dream of a happy family life began to unravel quickly. Daniel, who once embodied a deep spiritual connection with Masai traditions, became increasingly focused on material possessions and social status.

Reflecting on this shift, Cheryl expressed her feelings of being used, stating, "I felt like I was just a meal ticket." She admitted to having profound regrets, particularly regarding the impact of her choices on her children. Cheryl observed that Daniel's desires expanded to wanting a larger home, fashionable clothing, and money to send back to his relatives in Kenya. The couple frequently found themselves in arguments, and the spiritual bond that had initially drawn them together diminished over time.

Cheryl recounted moments of frustration, noting that the only time Daniel seemed truly happy was when he engaged in traditional Masai dances in their garden. He would express his eagerness to demonstrate his prowess by leaping high, proclaiming he was preparing for 'battle'—a spectacle that delighted the children but eventually became tiresome for Cheryl.

According to Cheryl, cultural differences and the pressures of adapting to life in Britain significantly contributed to their eventual separation in 1999, just four years after their marriage and shortly after the birth of Mitsi. Acknowledging her motivations, she revealed that part of her reason for remaining in the relationship was to challenge the critics who doubted her choices.

At the time of her relationships, Cheryl was grappling with childhood trauma and unhappiness in her marriage. Encouraged by a friend from her church choir, she ventured to Kenya in hopes of finding peace. Unfortunately, she realized that her relationship with Daniel was not the solution she had anticipated but rather a temporary escape.

Cheryl reflected, "The biggest regret of all was the impact on my children. Daniel tried, but he couldn't be the father they needed. They missed out on having a stable male figure." Today, however, she has come to terms with her past and maintains strong relationships with all four of her children: Steve, 43, Tommy, 41, Chloe, 34, and Mitsi, 27. Cheryl fondly regards Mitsi as "the one good thing" that came from her time with Daniel.

Despite the emotional turmoil surrounding their relationship, Cheryl has no desire to marry again. She humorously remarked, "Three marriages were enough," describing them as a "hat-trick of disasters." She cautions others who might be tempted to pursue holiday romances to be wary, as such decisions can lead to long-lasting regrets.

Meanwhile, Daniel has remained in the UK following their separation and currently works at a supermarket on the Isle of Wight.