Bella Mackie is a British author and journalist who became a household name with her debut novel How To Kill Your Family. Known for her dark humour and raw honesty, she has built a career spanning journalism, bestselling books, and a high-profile relationship with BBC Radio 1 host Greg James.
Who Is Bella Mackie? Biography and Background
- Mackie rose to prominence as a journalist at The Guardian and Vice News before becoming a best-selling author.
- Her memoir Jog On (2018) chronicles how running helped her cope with divorce and mental health struggles.
- She has lived with anxiety disorder and OCD since childhood, which she discusses openly in her work.
- Her debut novel How To Kill Your Family was a #1 Sunday Times Bestseller, remaining in the top 10 for 47 weeks.
- Netflix is adapting How To Kill Your Family into an eight-part series starring Anya Taylor-Joy.
- She writes a twice-monthly column for Vogue.
- Mackie is in a relationship with Greg James, host of BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast show.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bella Mackie |
| Age | 41 (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | British |
| Former Roles | Commissioning editor at The Guardian, news editor at Vice News |
| First Book | Jog On (2018) |
| Debut Novel | How To Kill Your Family (2021) |
| Second Novel | What A Way To Go (2024) |
| Current Partner | Greg James (Radio 1 Breakfast host) |
| Children | None |
| Mother | Lindsay Mackie |
Who Is Bella Mackie Married To? Relationship and Family Life
Bella Mackie is in a relationship with Greg James, the host of BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast show. They have spoken publicly about their personal growth through romantic relationships. According to an interview she gave on a podcast, the couple discusses how they have learned from their experiences together.
Previous Marriage
Mackie had a short-lived first marriage earlier in her life. The details of her first husband are not publicly named in available sources. This earlier marriage ended in divorce, a period she wrote about in her memoir Jog On.
Children
Mackie has stated explicitly that she does not have children. This corrects a common misconception found in some online searches.
Family Background
There is some confusion in public searches regarding Mackie’s parents. Her mother is Lindsay Mackie. Alan Rusbridger, the former editor of The Guardian, is not Bella Mackie’s father—he is Greg James’s father. The sources consulted do not name Bella Mackie’s father. The query conflates two families: Bella Mackie’s family (her mother is Lindsay) and Greg James’s family (his father is Alan Rusbridger).
Alan Rusbridger is Greg James’s father, not Bella Mackie’s father. Bella Mackie’s mother is Lindsay Mackie.
What Books Has Bella Mackie Written? Complete Bibliography
Jog On (2018)
Her first book, a memoir about how running helped her navigate a difficult period involving divorce and mental health struggles in her late 20s. Mackie describes herself as not a “typical” runner, enjoying chips, wine, and smoking. The book was described as a “sensational success” by those who reviewed it.
How To Kill Your Family (2021)
Her debut novel, which became a #1 Sunday Times Bestseller and remained in the top 10 for 47 weeks. The story follows protagonist Grace Bernard, who seeks vengeance against her billionaire father and wealthy relatives. Over 1 million copies have been sold. Netflix is adapting the book into an eight-part series starring Anya Taylor-Joy as Grace Bernard; Mackie has not participated in the screenwriting.
What A Way To Go (2024)
Her second novel, published on September 12, 2024, became an instant Sunday Times bestseller. The book explores the ultra-wealthy, class distinctions, true crime, and slapstick murder. Mackie has said it was inspired by the British fascination with class over money and the Nicola Bulley case.
Bella Mackie’s books can be read in publication order: Jog On (2018, memoir), How To Kill Your Family (2021, novel), and What A Way To Go (2024, novel).
What Is Bella Mackie’s Net Worth and Career Background?
Career Background
Before becoming an author, Mackie worked as a commissioning editor at The Guardian and a news editor at Vice News. She went freelance and now writes a twice-monthly column for Vogue. Her Instagram profile (@mackie_bella) lists her as the author of three bestselling books.
Net Worth
No specific net worth figure is publicly available in the sources. However, her books have sold over 1 million copies, and How To Kill Your Family is being adapted by Netflix, which indicates significant financial success. She is also described as having a “passionate hatred for wellness” and critiques the obsession with the ultra-wealthy.
No specific net worth figure for Bella Mackie has been publicly disclosed. Estimates vary, and any numbers found online should be treated as speculation.
Bella Mackie’s Career and Life Timeline
- Late 20s: Mackie goes through a divorce and experiences mental health struggles, which later inspires her memoir.
- 2018: Publishes Jog On, a memoir about running and mental health.
- 2021: Publishes How To Kill Your Family, her debut novel, which becomes a #1 Sunday Times Bestseller.
- 2021–2022: The novel remains in the top 10 for 47 weeks. Over 1 million copies are sold.
- Netflix Adaptation Announced: The book is optioned for an eight-part series starring Anya Taylor-Joy.
- September 12, 2024: Publishes What A Way To Go, her second novel, which becomes an instant Sunday Times bestseller.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About Bella Mackie?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Mackie is in a relationship with Greg James. | No specific net worth figure has been publicly disclosed. |
| She does not have children. | Details about her first husband are not publicly named. |
| Her mother is Lindsay Mackie. | Her father’s name has not been made public in the sources. |
| She has published three books: Jog On, How To Kill Your Family, and What A Way To Go. | The exact date of her relationship with Greg James is not specified. |
What Context Explains Bella Mackie’s Public Profile?
Bella Mackie’s work often explores dark humour, family dysfunction, and mental health. Her memoir Jog On tracks how running helped her cope during a difficult period involving divorce and mental health struggles in her late 20s. She is described as witty, intelligent, brutally honest, and raw in her writing.
Mackie has a “passionate hatred for wellness” and critiques society’s obsession with the ultra-wealthy. Her second novel, What A Way To Go, was inspired by the British fascination with class over money and the Nicola Bulley case. Her Instagram bio (@mackie_bella) lists her as the author of three bestselling books.
What Do Key Sources Say About Bella Mackie?
“Bella Mackie is a former journalist who worked as a commissioning editor at The Guardian and a news editor at Vice News before going freelance; she writes a twice-monthly column for Vogue.”
“She has lived with anxiety disorder and OCD since childhood, which she candidly discusses in her work.”
“Her memoir Jog On tracks how running helped her cope during a difficult period involving divorce and mental health struggles in her late 20s; she is not a ‘typical’ runner, enjoying chips, wine, and smoking.”
What Does This Mean for Bella Mackie’s Public Profile?
Bella Mackie represents a modern intersection of journalism, literary fiction, and media personality. Her success is partly attributed to her strong social media presence and ability to translate personal experiences into commercially successful books. Her work often explores dark humour, family dysfunction, and mental health—themes that resonate with many readers. The common misconception about Alan Rusbridger being her father has been clarified: he is Greg James’s father, not hers. Mackie’s mother is Lindsay Mackie. For more on British media personalities, see Mary Portas – Biography, Partner, Books, and Career Highlights and Tom Read Wilson – Biography, Partner, Voice, and Books.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bella Mackie
What is Bella Mackie’s real name?
Bella Mackie is her professional name; she publishes under this name. Her full name is not specified in the sources.
How old is Bella Mackie?
She is 41 years old as of 2025, having been born in 1984.
Does Bella Mackie have children?
No, she has stated explicitly that she does not have children.
Who is Bella Mackie’s partner?
She is in a relationship with Greg James, the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast show host.
Who was Bella Mackie’s first husband?
She had a short-lived first marriage, but the identity of her first husband has not been publicly named in the available sources.
What is Bella Mackie’s most famous book?
How To Kill Your Family (2021) is her most famous book, a #1 Sunday Times Bestseller that sold over 1 million copies.
Is Bella Mackie related to Alan Rusbridger?
No. Alan Rusbridger is Greg James’s father, not Bella Mackie’s father. Bella’s mother is Lindsay Mackie.
What does Bella Mackie write for Vogue?
She writes a twice-monthly column for Vogue.
What is Bella Mackie’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram profile is @mackie_bella.
What is Bella Mackie’s net worth?
No specific net worth figure has been publicly disclosed. Her success is inferred from book sales and the Netflix adaptation.
Charlotte Hayes is Live Events & Festivals Correspondent at PlaylisterUK.co.uk, covering concerts, festivals, tours, venues and UK live music culture.