How a high-flying 1980s socialite became homeless in her sixties | Compass | ABC Australia

The story of former PR executive and social butterfly Glen-Marie Frost who suddenly became homeless in her sixties, joining the swelling ranks of women over fifty with nowhere to live.

This story starts in the 80’s when Glen-Marie was extremely glamourous, she was everywhere, and she was extremely well connected.

When a failed marriage and lack of financial safety net lead to Glen-Marie sleeping in her car high profile friends Helen Coonan, Joh Bailey and Michael Yabsley all rallied around to support her.

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[ccodzkp]

Worked hard, lost my business, starting over. It isn’t easy.

[jennlqj]

That's so sad. My mother always said, "Make something of yourself. Don't rely on a man." I'm so glad I took her advice!

[PInkW]

Me. High school dropout
Laborer all my life. Never did drugs.
House paid off. Retired. Money n the bank. No debt. Life is good.

I did not see that she was homeless, I only saw that she was in a beautiful house.

[garycooper]

Atleast she had luxury and fun. Some of us never had a really chance and lived in sickness and poverty all our lifes

[raggedblossom]

Where are all her A-list friends now? Did no one have a spare room in their mansions? She might have made mistakes but doesn't deserve to be banished for that.

[helenaivanka]

Ladies please put money away for yourselves. Less spending and more saving.

[rebeccabrown]

Everyone, especially women, starting in middle school, need to be taught financial responsibility.

[CREATEDHISGLORY]

Young women of today need to see this.

[carrieannkouri]

A reminder to us all to be kind to one another. Homelessness can happen to ANYONE.

[dianafromcalifornia]

Same happened to me....I'm 60 and trying to find a new way. Medical issues and 2 years od recovering made it harder. Thank goodness I will have inheritance when my mother dies. I'm not homeless yet but live month to month. I hope she made it. I hope I do.

[elenasterling]

I also had a "charmed" ife. What ended up happening is what always happens (life throws things at us that we could not possibly include in our choices and plans).
Homeless 12 years now. Grateful for it because I know now how great it is to have basic needs met and to find joy that nothing can buy, nobody can take away.
I'm in your corner. You are not alone.❤

[rebeccadelbridge]

People make choices in life, and consequences arrive. Its all the sadder when those who had so many more opportunities than most can dream of, still make poor and irresponsible choices. Those of us who spend our entire lives trying to scrape and claw our way out of generational poverty, rarely succeeding, are told to 'pull ourselves up by our bootstraps'. During all those parties, did she never once think to invest in a home somewhere, just in case? I wish her all the best, and truly hope she finds the help she needs, but let this be a lesson for anyone who is currently living the high life. Plan for where you are going to go, when the party ends.

[gareztakat]

Watch the full episode on Compass Series 37. After watching the whole thing, I take my hat off to this woman. She is doing some great stuff for women escaping DV and who are homeless.

[grannygooch]

She needs to publish her book about her glorious glamour and her downfall it only takes one book to have a comfortable life.

[murraymclean]

A brave and beautiful woman..it takes a massive amount of courage to admit that you've gone to being one of the forgotten people..homeless..ive work my entire life and at 61 it can happen..ill health and a loss of employment..and your gone.

[rhettoneill]

Frosty thankyou for speaking up..this is a good reminder to all us Ladies❤

[roxannesmith]

I’ve known a few very rich people like this. Everyone wants to associate with them when they are wealthy, living in the right area, wearing the right clothes and driving the right car. Once the wealth disappears- the “friends” and partners disappear. It’s all very superficial.

[jtv]

Spending without saving is always a mistake

[tamarawest]

A glamorous lifestyle, successful husband and personal career yet did not buy property when it was relatively affordable? Why???