The enigma surrounding the personal life of Carina Lepore, the victorious contestant from the 15th series of The Apprentice, persists, particularly concerning her husband and the paternity of her son. The British businesswoman, who clinched the title in 2019, has been notably reticent about her private affairs, even after rising to prominence following her win on the popular television show.
Upon triumphing in The Apprentice, Lepore entered into a business partnership with Lord Sugar, resulting in a £250,000 investment to bolster her bakery business, Dough Artisan Bakehouse. This joint venture, which was managed on a 50:50 basis, concluded amicably in 2023.
Despite her public success, Carina Lepore has chosen to keep the identity of her husband, as well as the father of her son Lucas, out of the spotlight. Her decision to maintain privacy has only heightened the curiosity of her admirers and the media alike. Lucas, born in 2010, has rarely been featured on her social media platforms, as Lepore prefers to keep her family life away from public scrutiny.
Carina has, however, spoken candidly about her experiences as a single mother, especially during an interview with The Times in 2020. She cited her son as her primary source of motivation and inspiration, driving her forward in her business ventures. Lepore revealed that Lucas’s premature birth at 28 weeks was fraught with challenges, as he weighed just over two pounds and spent three months in intensive care.
Despite these early hardships, Lucas has flourished and takes great pride in his mother’s accomplishments. Carina recalled how Lucas boasts of her achievement on The Apprentice and has a fondness for the family bakery.
Carina Lepore’s roots trace back to an Italian family, with her parents, Carlos and Maria, having migrated from Naples and Sicily in the 1970s. The family initially set up a bakery in Croydon, London, which laid the foundations for Carina’s future endeavors. Her upbringing in Croydon and education at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace were foundational to her career, which included a stint with Marks & Spencer and a foray into the fashion industry.
Her Italian heritage is a source of pride for Lepore and is deeply ingrained in the essence of her bakery. In 2015, the family’s Herne Hill bakery was devastated by a fire, but Carina and her father displayed unwavering determination to rebuild their business. Now, with the help of her sister Rochelle, Carina has successfully expanded the Dough Artisan Bakehouse, with branches in Herne Hill, Beckenham, and Bromley.
Their bakeries are a celebration of Italian culture, offering a vast array of traditional bread such as ciabatta and focaccia, alongside a selection of cakes, pastries, sandwiches, and inclusive options for vegan and gluten-free customers. Carina’s story is emblematic of the rich tapestry of London’s diverse culinary landscape, embodying a blend of cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.
