Ellie Penfold: The Life, Family and Career of Jermaine Jenas’s Former Wife
Ellie Penfold is a British entrepreneur, former model and media personality best known for her long relationship with former England footballer and television presenter Jermaine Jenas. She is also known by her married name, Ellie Jenas, and has built her own identity through family life, business and her work as co-founder of the personal care brand Preppy Skin.
Although Ellie became widely recognised because of her connection to Jermaine Jenas, her story is not limited to being the former wife of a famous sportsman. She is a mother, businesswoman and private individual who has gradually stepped into the spotlight through her own projects. Her graceful public image, family-focused lifestyle and business journey have made her a figure of interest among people who follow British entertainment, football personalities and celebrity families.
Ellie Penfold Age and Background
Ellie Penfold was born in May 1988 and is 37 years old. She is British and has lived in England, where she has raised her family and developed her business interests.
Unlike many people connected to the entertainment world, Ellie has chosen a quieter public path. She has not built her name through constant interviews or media appearances. Instead, she has remained more focused on her children, family life and professional ventures. This private but confident approach has helped shape her image as someone who values both independence and family stability.
Ellie Penfold and Jermaine Jenas
A Long Relationship in the Public Eye
Ellie’s name became widely known through her relationship with Jermaine Jenas, a former professional footballer who played for Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers. After retiring from football, Jermaine became a familiar face on British television as a football pundit and presenter.
Ellie and Jermaine were together for around 16 years. During that time, they built a family and were often seen as one of the well-known football-related couples in the UK. Their relationship included many years of family life, shared responsibilities and moments in the media spotlight.
Ellie was often described as a supportive partner, but she also maintained her own quiet identity. She did not rely heavily on celebrity attention and appeared to prefer a more grounded lifestyle away from unnecessary publicity.
Ellie Penfold’s Former Husband
Jermaine Jenas is Ellie Penfold’s former husband. He is known for his career as a footballer, his work on sports programmes and his television presenting roles. Their marriage attracted attention because Jermaine was already a recognised name in football and broadcasting.
The couple later separated in March 2025 after many years together. Their separation marked a major personal change, but Ellie continued to be recognised for her strength, family focus and business presence.
Ellie Penfold Children
Her Children with Jermaine Jenas
Ellie and Jermaine share three children together. Their children are:
Geneva Jenas
Geneva is one of Ellie and Jermaine’s daughters. She is part of the close family life Ellie has often been associated with.
Olivia Jenas
Olivia is also Ellie and Jermaine’s daughter. Ellie has always appeared to value her children’s privacy and has kept much of their family life away from excessive attention.
Jacob Anthony Jenas
Jacob Anthony Jenas is Ellie and Jermaine’s son. His birth was warmly received by those who followed the couple’s family journey.
Together, Geneva, Olivia and Jacob are central to Ellie’s life. Motherhood has been one of the most important parts of her identity, and she has often been seen as a devoted mother who puts her children first.
Sancha Jenas, Ellie’s Bonus Daughter
Jermaine Jenas also has an eldest daughter named Sancha Natasha Jenas from a previous relationship with Sabrina Keogh. Ellie has warmly referred to Sancha as her “bonus daughter”, a phrase often used for a stepdaughter who is loved and accepted as part of the family.
This shows the close family bond Ellie had with Jermaine’s eldest daughter. It also reflects her caring role within a blended family. Sancha is Jermaine’s first child, while Geneva, Olivia and Jacob are his children with Ellie.
Jermaine Jenas’s Previous Relationship
Before his relationship with Ellie, Jermaine Jenas was in a relationship with Sabrina Keogh. Sabrina is the mother of his eldest daughter, Sancha Natasha Jenas.
This family background helps explain Ellie’s reference to Sancha as her bonus daughter. Ellie was not Sancha’s biological mother, but she clearly had an affectionate place in her life as a stepmother figure.
Ellie Penfold Career
Former Modelling Work
Before becoming more widely recognised as Ellie Jenas, Ellie was described as a former model. Her modelling background added to her early public image, but she did not appear to chase celebrity status through that work. Instead, her presence remained more understated and private.
Her career path later moved towards business, particularly in the skincare and personal care space. This shift gave Ellie a more independent professional identity beyond her marriage.
Co-Founder of Preppy Skin
Ellie is the co-founder and director of Preppy Skin Ltd, a personal care brand created for children and teenagers. The brand focuses on products designed for young skin and is presented with a modern, family-friendly approach.
Preppy Skin reflects Ellie’s interest in practical products for younger people and parents. As a mother herself, Ellie’s connection to the brand feels natural. The idea behind the business fits closely with her family-centred image, especially because the products are aimed at an age group that parents often want to support with safer and more suitable personal care choices.
Her role in Preppy Skin also shows her entrepreneurial side. Rather than staying known only as Jermaine Jenas’s former wife, Ellie has taken steps to build something of her own. This business direction gives her a stronger individual profile and shows her ambition outside the world of football and television.
Ellie Penfold on Instagram
Ellie uses the name Ellie Jenas on Instagram. Her profile has shown her connection with Preppy Skin and has included moments from her family life. She has shared posts involving Jermaine Jenas in the past, including entertainment-related appearances and family celebrations.
Her Instagram presence gives a softer view of her personality. It shows her as a mother, friend, businesswoman and someone who values family relationships. Her posts have also reflected warmth towards Sancha, whom she described as her bonus daughter.
Ellie Penfold and BBC Appearance
Ellie once appeared alongside Jermaine Jenas in a BBC One festive entertainment setting. In December 2020, she mentioned filming something funny with Jermaine for BBC One during the Christmas period. This gave fans a rare glimpse of the couple in a light-hearted television moment.
Although Ellie has not built a major television career, appearances like this helped people see a more relaxed and personal side of her. She came across as warm, natural and comfortable in a family entertainment setting.
Does Ellie Penfold Have a Wikipedia Page?
At present, Ellie Penfold does not have a dedicated Wikipedia page. She is mainly known through her connection to Jermaine Jenas, her role as a mother and her business involvement with Preppy Skin.
However, the absence of a Wikipedia page does not reduce her public relevance. Many people connected to well-known figures do not have their own pages, especially when they prefer a more private lifestyle. Ellie’s recognition comes from her family story, her marriage to Jermaine, her children and her developing business career.
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Ellie Penfold’s Public Image
Ellie has always appeared to carry herself with a quiet and composed public image. She is not known for dramatic interviews or unnecessary attention. Instead, she is associated with family, motherhood, loyalty and personal strength.
Her separation from Jermaine Jenas brought her name back into the spotlight, but Ellie’s identity has continued to grow beyond that chapter. Her role with Preppy Skin shows that she is building a future based on business, independence and purpose.
She represents the kind of public figure who is known but not overly exposed. That balance has helped her maintain dignity while still remaining of interest to people who follow British celebrity and sports families.
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Conclusion
Ellie Penfold is a British entrepreneur, former model and mother who became widely known through her long relationship with Jermaine Jenas. Born in May 1988, she is in her late thirties and turns 38 in May 2026. She shares three children with Jermaine: Geneva, Olivia and Jacob Anthony Jenas. She has also shown affection for Jermaine’s eldest daughter, Sancha Natasha Jenas, by calling her her bonus daughter.
Her former husband, Jermaine Jenas, is a former England footballer and television presenter. Before Ellie, he had a relationship with Sabrina Keogh, the mother of Sancha.
Today, Ellie is also recognised as the co-founder of Preppy Skin, a personal care brand for children and teenagers. Her journey shows a woman who has balanced family, privacy and business while creating her own identity beyond a famous marriage. She remains a graceful and respected figure with a growing presence in the world of family-focused entrepreneurship.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ellie Penfold?
Ellie Penfold, also known as Ellie Jenas, is a British entrepreneur and former model. She is best known as the former wife of ex-footballer and television presenter Jermaine Jenas. She is also recognised as the co-founder of Preppy Skin, a personal care brand created for children and teenagers.
How old is Ellie Penfold?
Ellie Penfold was born in May 1988. This means she turns 38 in May 2026. Her exact date of birth has not been publicly confirmed, so it is best to mention only the month and year.
Is Ellie Penfold married?
Ellie Penfold was married to former England footballer and TV presenter Jermaine Jenas. The couple were together for around 16 years before announcing their separation in March 2025.
Does Ellie Penfold have children?
Yes, Ellie Penfold shares three children with Jermaine Jenas: Geneva Jenas, Olivia Jenas and Jacob Anthony Jenas. Jermaine also has an eldest daughter, Sancha Natasha Jenas, from a previous relationship with Sabrina Keogh, and Ellie has warmly referred to Sancha as her “bonus daughter.”
Why did Jermaine Jenas and Ellie Penfold split?
Jermaine Jenas and Ellie Penfold announced their separation in March 2025 after around 16 years together. The split came after a difficult public period for Jenas, but Ellie’s statement focused on moving forward respectfully, saying they would remain friends and continue co-parenting their children.
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