Sports Calendar

Top quote “What is appealing to men is that mixture of love and mother, someone who will cook and care for you.”

THE SWAG

This year’s Wag is the Swag (smart Wag). This wife recognises her responsibility to look good, spend money and generally showcase her man’s wealth and virility, but also knows that she is now required to bring something extra to the party. In the past, a career might have clashed with the job of ego maintenance, but first Victoria Beckham, then Coleen Rooney and now Cheryl Cole have all proved that the sporting trophy wife with projects of her own is a superior asset. Now the Wag with wit and commercial savvy gets more attention and makes her man look modern. She is also, like the Wag, a stayer. (VB, Coleen and Cheryl have all forgiven their husband’s infidelities.)

No1 Swag wife Cheryl Cole, no contest. No wonder Simon Cowell thinks she is worth a million.

Defining moment Coleen’s Asda contract. Abbey Clancy in Hell’s Kitchen.

Top quote Cheryl defending Ashley Cole not going to Real Madrid: “The thing is, I’ve got the other four girls to consider — and they are all still happy. Everybody won in the end.”

THE PROJECT MANAGER (PM) WIFE

Tana Ramsay is a PM wife, as is Hillary Clinton. These wives are at least as ambitious as their husbands, but they are pragmatic and focused on the package — in other words, if they know they can get where they want to be faster as a team, a PM wife will sideline her career to get behind her man. PM wives look as if they have given up a lot, but never forget, their husbands are their No 1 investment and, as often as not, the wives are forcing the pace. The new generation of politicians, bankers and big businessmen often have PM wives (as opposed to Vocational wives, see below), because they are extremely capable and happy to be left running their own empires. Probably this lot are the least surrendered behind the scenes, though they give the outward appearance of always putting themselves second. Sarah Brown is not a typical PM, but, make no mistake, she is one.

No1 PM wife Tana Ramsay (her dad is Gordon’s manager).

Defining moment The united-front photo call.

Top quote “I think: what’s the big deal? It works for them , and I’m not criticising it. But it’s not what I want. It’s not my style. I can manage, and I always have.”

THE VOCATIONAL WIFE

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