Fling waitress did me a favour, claims wife of Stones' guitarist
The former model said she was forced to put all her energy into keeping the Rolling Stones guitarist on the straight and narrow during their marriage.
But Jo told Hello! magazine: "I gave up my life for Ronnie, now I have it back."
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Hide AdThe 63-year-old hellraiser musician left his wife after more than 20 years of marriage in July 2008 as he embarked on a fling with Ekaterina Ivanova.
Jo said of the waitress, four decades younger than her husband: "She gave me my life back.
"I can put my energy into myself instead of him. I can't remember what it was like being his wife any more."
The couple had shared a home in Kingston, south-west London, but she has now moved into a "cosy" converted barn.
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Hide AdJo, 55, is now looking forward to the decree absolute, dissolving their marriage which is due in the next few days.
"Ronnie and I have agreed on everything. When my settlement comes through, I'll be a happy girl," she said
Grandmother Jo – who was married once before – said she is often asked out but has no plans to be tied down again at the moment.
"I was in such a long marriage, it would be wrong to launch into a new relationship yet.
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Hide Ad"I don't want to get married again. Although never say never as my mum tells me. Maybe it'll be third time lucky."
Jo, who has been a Strictly Come Dancing contestant, told of a shocking discovery as she packed up and prepared to move from the marital home.
"In a cupboard in the dining room I found a container full of grey powder. When I looked at the label, I realised it contained the ashes of Ronnie's older brother Ted who died in 2004.
"'I've just found your brother in the cupboard,' I texted Ronnie."
Her son Jamie, 36, from a previous relationship, said of Ronnie: "He's not in the real world. He blusters through life, unaware."