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Real Housewives star Ann Kaplan Mulholland would love Mick Jagger, Tom Cruise and Paul McCartney to stay at newly-bought Lympne Castle

16:30, 07 March 2023

updated: 18:11, 07 March 2023

The new owner of a Kent castle who starred in the Real Housewives of Toronto has revealed the famous faces she would love to invite to stay.

Businesswoman Dr Ann Kaplan Mulholland recently took over the £11m Lympne Castle, near Hythe, with her surgeon husband Stephen after the previous owners decided to call it quits.

Ann Kaplan Mulholland, former star of the Real Housewives of Toronto, bought Lympne Castle with her husband Dr. Stephen Mulholland Picture: Ann Kaplan Mulholland/Instagram
Ann Kaplan Mulholland, former star of the Real Housewives of Toronto, bought Lympne Castle with her husband Dr. Stephen Mulholland Picture: Ann Kaplan Mulholland/Instagram

The move saw several weddings booked at the venue cancelled, before Dr Kaplan Mulholland revealed she would honour “each and every contract”.

She has now responded to a report from the Mail on Sunday that she had already invited Tom Cruise to stay at the historic site.

She told KentOnline: “I would absolutely enjoy having Paul McCartney, as he recorded Back to the Egg with Wings at the castle, Mick Jagger, a prior guest, and Tom Cruise visit the castle but I have not reached out to them.”

The Real Housewives star is focusing on getting the castle prepared for the brides and grooms set to marry there.

“As we just purchased the castle 10 days ago, we have been focused on the renovation, decorating and opening the venue to the very important brides and grooms that were previously booked,” she said.

The site near Hythe has been being prepared for brides and grooms to be who were suddenly cancelled on last month. Credit: Scott Collier
The site near Hythe has been being prepared for brides and grooms to be who were suddenly cancelled on last month. Credit: Scott Collier

“It was very difficult when I saw the weddings cancelled because we had an agreement that they would send out an announcement to the brides and grooms that they could contact us.

“I do think that it wasn’t a malicious move, but perhaps it could have been dealt with differently."

Dr Kaplan Mulholland previously told KentOnline how she has a whole host of plans for the venue including filming a new TV series there.

She hopes this will bring “positive attention” to the county.

She said: “We will be doing a reality documentary show, at the castle.

“The castle has always been used for filming, and performers including Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones have been there.

“The castle has been used by many types of celebs and historical people so I would like to bring attention to the history and beauty of Kent, that’s the reason for the documentary.

“Because we are very respectful people, it will bring a lot of positive attention to the area.”

The Mulhollands hope to take their time to carefully put their own stamp on the castle.

“It’s about creating an experience and embracing the area and its history,” Dr Kaplan Mulholland added.

Dr Ann Kaplan Mulholland with husband Stephen
Dr Ann Kaplan Mulholland with husband Stephen

“Picture that full fairytale wedding experience where the bride becomes a princess, and the groom becomes a prince, that’s what we envision.

“Why buy a castle if you’re not going to integrate the history or the castle experience?

“We are working with the history and architectural society and I’m hoping to hire someone from there to help us with the history of Lympne and the castle so we can integrate those stories.”

Dr Kaplan Mulholland will live at the site part-time while running the business full-time along with a management team which she will hire locally.

The entrepreneur is the founder of iFinance, author of four books, and a television host.

Ann Kaplan Mulholland says she would love to invite Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Tom Cruise to stay at the castle. Credit: Scott Collier
Ann Kaplan Mulholland says she would love to invite Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Tom Cruise to stay at the castle. Credit: Scott Collier

She also formerly starred in The Real Housewives of Toronto, having been married to her plastic surgeon husband for 22 years.

Between them they have eight children, and live in the affluent Bridle Path neighbourhood in the city. She has received more than 40 international and national awards for business, and has hosted television shows including Global’s NYtv and The Ultimate Makeover.

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