Luisa Zissman wraps Maldives break to begin new life in Dubai

Reality star Luisa Zissman has wrapped her Maldives break and kicked off a new life in Dubai, confirming a long-planned move with her family. The Apprentice alum, 38, shared bikini-clad snapshots from a sun-soaked Maldives getaway with her mother, Christina, as she signaled the start of a major transition that will bring her to the United Arab Emirates for an extended stay. Zissman has said the trip marked the end of a relaxing chapter before the family embarks on a permanent relocation.

In a string of Instagram posts from the tropical retreat, Zissman displayed her figure in a yellow two-piece and a lemon-print bikini with matching cover-up, posing alongside her mother, who she has nicknamed Hilda. The posts showed the pair enjoying beach days and sunset moments as Zissman reflected on the move that would take them from Britain’s winter gloom to life in Dubai. "Maldives. always. Amazing week relaxing now for Christmas chaos in Dubai," she wrote, signaling the transition from a sun-soaked break to a new life chapter in the UAE.

Zissman had already signaled the relocation earlier in the week, explaining that she and her family would move to join her Irish millionaire husband, Andrew Collins, who had already relocated from the UK. She has said the decision was motivated in part by a desire to escape the UK’s weather and rising crime rates, and to pursue a different pace of life in the UAE. The move comes after months of planning, including arrangements for schooling, visas, and a sizable household backing.

She noted that two of her three children will accompany her to Dubai, where they will join Collins at their new home. Her eldest daughter, Dixie, 15, will remain in the UK to finish her education at a boarding school, a detail she had previously shared with followers. Zissman also revealed that the family’s departure involves a significant logistical undertaking, including the relocation of five horses and two nannies who will join the household in Dubai. The star described the move as “manic” and said she was juggling school schedules, packing, shipping boxes, and visa arrangements while prioritizing family stability.

Even as she prepares for a manic move, Zissman stressed that life would continue with familiar projects. On the latest episode of her podcast LuAnna, which she co-hosts with Anna Williamson, she reassured fans that the show would carry on after the move. She explained that flights would allow her to travel back for in-person recording sessions, noting that she had booked flights to do LuAnna up until September. "So, please don't worry, it's continuing after September. I just felt like block booking," she said, signaling that the move would not end her on-air collaborations.

The move also corralled neighborhood connections. Zissman teased that she and Kate Ferdinand would be neighbors, following a similar relocation by Ferdinand and her husband, Rio, to Dubai earlier in the year. The proximity to a familiar peer group in a city known for its luxury lifestyle and business opportunities was cited as part of the appeal, alongside potential professional and personal benefits of living in the UAE.

In documenting the move, Zissman has offered glimpses into her new life in Dubai. She posted a series of messages and photos from the Maldives and from her new home, including a moment by a large Christmas tree and a grand white piano, which signaled the arrival at their new Dubai residence. She described the adjustment as part of a broader ambition to build a long-term base in Dubai rather than a seasonal relocation, writing that Champneys (a reference to a wellness retreat) would remain a fixture in their lives and that the move would be permanent rather than a winter-only stay. She included a sense of optimism about their new life, highlighting the financial and lifestyle benefits she anticipates in the UAE.

The family’s Dubai plan is extensive. Zissman and Collins’ move includes a sprawling estate setting: ten bedrooms and 2.8 acres of grounds, with 15 staff members, including gardeners, housekeepers, nannies, and an estate manager, to look after the home and family operations. The scale of the relocation underscores the couple’s intention to establish a durable, multi-year base in the region, while continuing to manage professional commitments and family life.

The couple has faced the practical challenges that accompany such a transition. Zissman has described the process as involving not only the logistics of moving children and schooling but also the coordination of multiple households across continents. The addition of horses to the move is notable, signaling a high level of personal investment and lifestyle in their new Dubai home. The star’s posts reflect a balance between the necessary preparation for a new life and the desire to savor a period of rest and celebration before the full relocation.

The broader context of Zissman’s decision aligns with a broader trend among public figures seeking to relocate to Dubai for reasons that include climate, tax considerations, and a perceived improvement in quality of life. While the specifics of each family’s move are unique, Zissman’s narrative—combining a high-profile professional profile, a large family, and a penchant for equestrian interests and hospitality—illustrates how some celebrities approach international relocation as a long-term life strategy rather than a temporary shift.

As Zissman settles into the new home and begins a fresh chapter, the immediate focus remains on family logistics, schooling, and maintaining professional engagements from a base in the UAE. The Maldives tripfunctioned as a transitional escape before the move was finalized, and the posts from Dubai suggest an intent to settle in for the foreseeable future. The story of this transition remains ongoing, with followers watching for updates on how the family balances the demands of a major relocation with the routines of family life, schooling, and ongoing media projects.