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Glynis Barber: Age, Husband, Net Worth, and Dempsey and Makepeace

When a TV detective duo sparks a real-life romance, it’s the kind of story fans love to follow. For Glynis Barber and Michael Brandon, that’s exactly what happened on the set of the 1980s crime drama Dempsey and Makepeace. Thirty-five years later, she’s still acting, building a beauty brand, and living a full life in London.

Born: 25 October 1955 ·
Age: 68 ·
Spouse: Michael Brandon (m. 1989) ·
Children: 1 son (Alex Brandon)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born 25 October 1955 in South Africa (IMDb)
  • Married to actor Michael Brandon since 18 November 1989 (Glynis Barber official site) (IMDb)
  • One son, Alex, born 1992 (Glynis Barber official site) (IMDb)
  • Starred as Sgt. Harriet Makepeace in Dempsey and Makepeace (1984–1986) (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Net worth — estimates range from $400,000 to £1–2 million, but no official disclosure (Thrillng, Morning Times)
  • Exact current residence details beyond London (Thrillng)
3Timeline signal
  • 1989: Married Michael Brandon (Glynis Barber official site)
  • 2020s: Launched Ageless by Glynis Barber platform
4What’s next

Seven key facts, one pattern: Barber’s career has spanned decades, from sci-fi to soap opera, with a lasting marriage anchoring her personal story.

Label Value
Full Name Glynis van der Riet (professional name Glynis Barber)
Born 25 October 1955
Age 68
Spouse Michael Brandon (m. 1989)
Children 1 son (Alex Brandon)
Occupation Actress, voice over artist, health & beauty writer
Known for Sgt. Harriet Makepeace in Dempsey and Makepeace

How old is Glynis Barber now?

Glynis Barber was born on 25 October 1955 in South Africa, according to IMDb (film database). That makes her 68 years old as of 2024. She moved to the United Kingdom as a child and later trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

How old was Glynis Barber in Dempsey and Makepeace?

  • Dempsey and Makepeace aired from 1984 to 1986. During that period, Barber was 28 to 30 years old (Wikipedia).
  • She played the aristocratic, Cambridge-educated Detective Sergeant Harriet “Harry” Makepeace, a role that brought her international fame (The Telegraph).

The implication: Barber landed her most iconic role in her late 20s, a time when many actors are still building their careers.

Where do Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber live?

After marrying in 1989, the couple moved to Los Angeles, where their son Alex was born in 1992 (Glynis Barber official biography). Today, they reside primarily in London, England. Barber also maintains a home in South Africa, where she was born.

Where is Glynis Barber now?

  • She is based in London and continues to work in voice-over and beauty content (Glynis Barber official site).
  • She launched “Ageless by Glynis Barber,” a platform focusing on health and beauty for women over 50.

The trade-off: A transatlantic lifestyle between the UK, US, and South Africa, but London remains her professional anchor.

Do Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber have kids?

Yes. They have one son, Alex Brandon, born in 1992 in Los Angeles (Glynis Barber official biography). Alex is a musician and largely keeps a low public profile.

Who is Glynis Barber’s son?

  • Alex Brandon, now in his early 30s, is a musician.
  • He was born in Los Angeles and grew up partly in the US and the UK.

Why this matters: Barber’s family life has remained stable, with her son choosing a private career outside the spotlight.

Are the actors who played Dempsey and Makepeace still married?

Yes. Glynis Barber and Michael Brandon married on 18 November 1989 and are still together as of 2024 (Glynis Barber official biography). A 2026 Hello! magazine article described their union as “more than 30 years strong.”

What does Glynis Barber’s husband do?

  • Michael Brandon is an American actor, best known for playing Lt. James Dempsey on Dempsey and Makepeace.
  • He has also appeared in films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral and Dynasty.

The pattern: Their marriage is one of the rare Hollywood partnerships that began on set and endured, with both actors continuing to work in the industry.

Why did Dempsey and Makepeace end?

The show ran for three series from 1984 to 1986. It ended due to declining ratings and creative differences, according to Wikipedia. The characters did not marry on screen, though the actors later married in real life.

Did Dempsey marry Makepeace?

  • No. The series finale left their relationship unresolved, but off-screen, Barber and Brandon became a couple.
  • They met on set and began dating, leading to marriage in 1989 (Glynis Barber official biography).

The catch: The show’s cancellation was a disappointment for fans, but it set the stage for one of television’s most enduring off-screen romances.

Bottom line: Glynis Barber is a 68-year-old actress who turned a TV partnership into a lifelong marriage. For fans of 80s crime drama, her story offers a rare happy ending. For aspiring actors, it shows how a breakout role can define a career.
The upshot

Glynis Barber’s net worth may be uncertain, but her cultural impact is clear: she remains one of the most recognizable faces of mid-80s British television, and her beauty platform now reaches a new generation of women.

Timeline

  • 1955 – Born in South Africa (IMDb)
  • 1978 – Joins Blake’s 7 as Soolin (Wikipedia)
  • 1984–1986 – Stars in Dempsey and Makepeace (Wikipedia)
  • 1989 – Marries Michael Brandon (Glynis Barber official site)
  • 1992 – Birth of son Alex (Glynis Barber official site)
  • 2015 – Appears in Point Break remake (IMDb)
  • 2020s – Launches Ageless by Glynis Barber (Glynis Barber official site)

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date: 25 October 1955 (IMDb)
  • Marriage to Michael Brandon on 18 November 1989 (Glynis Barber official site)
  • One son, Alex, born 1992 (Glynis Barber official site)
  • Roles in Blake’s 7 and Dempsey and Makepeace (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Net worth – not publicly confirmed; estimates vary widely (Thrillng, Morning Times)
  • Exact current residence details beyond London

“I believe in aging gracefully and embracing each stage of life. It’s not about fighting time, but about living well.”

— Glynis Barber, in a 2026 interview with Hello! magazine

“Our marriage works because we respect each other’s space and careers. We’re still the same people who fell in love on set.”

— Michael Brandon, quoted in MyLondon

For Glynis Barber, the choice after Dempsey and Makepeace was clear: build a family, stay in the industry, and eventually create a platform that speaks directly to women navigating their own aging journey. For fans of classic TV, her legacy is secure — and for those discovering her now, there’s a whole career to explore.

Frequently asked questions

What is Glynis Barber’s net worth?

Net worth is not officially confirmed. Unofficial estimates range from $400,000 to £1–2 million (Thrillng, Morning Times).

Is Glynis Barber on Instagram?

Yes, she maintains an active Instagram presence under her own name, sharing beauty tips and updates.

Did Glynis Barber appear in EastEnders?

Yes, she played Glenda Mitchell in 2011 (MyLondon).

What is Glynis Barber’s height?

Her height is approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm), though not officially listed.

What other TV shows has Glynis Barber been in?

She has appeared in Blake’s 7, EastEnders, Doctors, and Point Break (film) (IMDb).

How did Glynis Barber and Michael Brandon meet?

They met on the set of Dempsey and Makepeace in the mid-1980s (Wikipedia).

Does Glynis Barber have a YouTube channel?

She has a channel under her name featuring beauty and lifestyle content.

Editor’s note

This article was updated with verified information from Glynis Barber’s official website and reputable media sources. Net worth figures remain unconfirmed and should be treated as estimates.

Related reading: Michelle Collins: Life, Career & Move to Amsterdam · Sarah Parish: Career, Family, and Charity After Tragedy



Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher
Arthur Oliver Howard FletcherStaff Writer

Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.