The Wife of an (ex) FHM Publisher

Most wives worry about the possibility of their husbands going astray. A little glance here, a flirting smile there, doubts of infidelity…these are things that most wives worry about. But what if your husband works in a workplace that is bastion for women’s butt, legs, and boobs?

I am a wife of an (ex) FHM publisher. Yes, that men’s magazine. The Dark Lord was brand manager of FHM for seven years. I am proud to say that he is the person who made FHM big and whatever you think of the brand (good or bad), well, it’s most likely because of him.

The Dark Lord and I became a couple in 2001, the same year he joined FHM. It’s quite safe to say that I was aware of what I was getting into but it doesn’t really sink in until you’re really in the situation.

He’s my first and only boyfriend and I admit that being a GF of the FHM publisher can make one feel insecure. I am far from looking like an FHM girl. On the contrary, I am quite conservative. I'm always in jeans, t-shirt, and rubber shoes. I'm tomboyish. I don't like having my photos taken. I hate parties. I'm anti-social.The only thing I have in common with them is a set of well, healthy boobs (not fake, though!).

I’ve had my fair share of doubts and insecurity. There were times when I thought that maybe he was flirting with those FHM models or actresses that posed nude on the magazine’s pages. Or maybe he preferred those models more than me.

But those doubts rarely linger on. For one thing, the Dark Lord is a homebody and rarely watches photo shoots. He’d rather stay home and play with his action figures.

I survived those FHM years. In 2005, we married and he left FHM in 2008. He would often say that he gave up FHM for me but I still don’t believe it. LOL!

How did I survive those doubts and insecurities? It’s a challenge but I take comfort in my husband’s love for me. I also have faith that whatever happens in my life will happen for a reason and that everything will always turn out okay. I also told him that there are non-negotiables when it comes to our marriage—infidelity, addiction and physical abuse. Any violation of this and I’m out the door.

In more a practical sense, I do have a strong sense of self. I have an MBA to my name, a thriving career, and a lot of freelance projects. In short, I can survive and fend for myself whatever happens.

Being an (ex) FHM Publisher’s wife is a challenge. But with enough faith in God, my husband, and in myself, it doesn’t have to be difficult.