Virgin Money CEO: Dealing with depression made me stronger

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Chief Executive of Virgin Money and one of the UK’s most successful businesswomen, has revealed that her battle with depression made her stronger.

In an interview with the BBC, the philanthropist opened up about suffering from post-natal depression following the birth of her daughter and having “suicidal thoughts”.

Marking the publication of her autobiography, The Virgin Banker, Gadhia is urging businesses to start taking mental health more seriously. Admitting that she previously perceived depression as a “weak-minded” problem, but after going through mental turmoil herself, she “realised nothing could be further from the truth”.

Depression started to consume Gadhia after the birth of her daughter, who was conceived following cycles of IVF treatment with her husband Ash. She began feeling that her life was “out of control”.