Mystic Meg, the stage name of Margaret Anne Lake, was one of Britain’s most recognisable astrologers. Her daily horoscope column in The Sun and her television appearances on the National Lottery made her a household name in the 1990s. She died on 9 March 2023 at the age of 80.
Who Was Mystic Meg?
Margaret Anne Lake
27 July 1942
9 March 2023
Psychic astrologer, The Sun column, National Lottery TV spots
- Mystic Meg was one of the UK’s most famous astrologers, known for her long-running column in The Sun.
- Her real name was Margaret Anne Lake. She was born in 1942 and died in 2023 at age 80.
- The cause of death was reported as influenza after she was hospitalised with flu symptoms.
- Her official website at mysticmeg.com continues to provide horoscopes and tarot readings.
- Questions about Mystic Meg remain high, especially regarding her death and the continuation of her weekly horoscopes.
- She pioneered phone‑in horoscope services, shattering BT records in 1989 according to The Guardian.
- Her brand endures online, but no single page currently answers all biographical, death and ongoing content queries together.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 July 1942 |
| Died | 9 March 2023 |
| Age at death | 80 |
| Occupation | Astrologer, psychic, columnist |
| Nationality | British |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed (some estimates mention millions, but no verified source) |
| Cause of death | Influenza / flu |
| Known for | Mystic Meg column in The Sun, National Lottery TV appearances |
| Real name | Margaret Anne Lake |
| Heritage | Romani |
How Did Mystic Meg Die?
Mystic Meg died on 9 March 2023 at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London. According to reports from the BBC and The Guardian, the cause of death was influenza. She had been hospitalised with flu symptoms before her passing. Her family asked for privacy, and no further medical details have been made public.
Multiple news outlets, including the BBC and IMDB, confirm influenza as the reported cause. The family has not issued a separate statement beyond the initial announcement.
How old was Mystic Meg when she died?
She was 80 years old. Born on 27 July 1942, she died at the age of 80 in March 2023.
What Was Mystic Meg’s Net Worth and Career?
How did Mystic Meg become famous?
Margaret Anne Lake was born in Accrington, Lancashire, to Bill and Millicent Lake. She was of Romani heritage and reportedly learned astrology from her grandmother. After studying English at the University of Leeds, she worked as a sub‑editor and later deputy editor at the News of the World, eventually becoming its astrologer. She then wrote horoscope columns for The Sun and News of the World, and from 1994 to 2000 she presented Mystic Meg Predicts on the National Lottery. Her tools included crystal balls, runes, I Ching, tarot and numerology, as noted by the BBC.
She also became a pioneer of phone‑in horoscopes. The Guardian reported that her hotline in 1989 “shattered BT records.” She lived in Notting Hill with seven cats and published books such as Mystic Meg’s Astrolife and Mystic Meg’s Lucky Numbers For Love Life And The Lottery.
What was Mystic Meg’s net worth?
No reliable, authoritative figure for Mystic Meg’s net worth has been published. One secondary source (gsm.org.uk) states she “amassed a fortune worth millions of pounds,” but it does not provide a verifiable source for an exact amount. Any specific net worth claims should be treated as speculation.
Figures circulating online vary widely and lack primary sources. No public financial records or official statements confirm an exact net worth.
What happened to Mystic Meg’s column? Who took over?
After her death, The Sun continued publishing a horoscope column under the Mystic Meg name. It is no longer written by her. The identity of the current writer has not been publicly disclosed by the newspaper.
Where Can I Find Mystic Meg’s Horoscopes Today?
Mystic Meg’s official website at mysticmeg.com remains active and offers daily horoscopes, tarot readings, and psychic services. The Sun also maintains a topic page at thesun.co.uk/topic/mystic-meg with ongoing weekly and monthly horoscopes under the Mystic Meg brand. There is also a Facebook page and an Instagram profile that continue to post content.
Is Mystic Meg still writing horoscopes?
No. Mystic Meg died in 2023 and is no longer writing new columns. The horoscopes published under her name today are produced by other writers.
What is Mystic Meg’s legacy in astrology?
She is widely remembered as a pioneer of mainstream television astrology and phone‑in horoscopes. The Guardian noted that her 1989 hotline “shattered BT records,” and the BBC emphasised her enduring association with the National Lottery and popular culture. Her blend of astrology, tarot, numerology and I Ching helped bring esoteric practices into everyday British life. Her brand remains one of the most recognisable in the field.
For daily and weekly readings, visit The Sun’s Mystic Meg topic page or mysticmeg.com. Both offer free content for all zodiac signs.
Timeline of Mystic Meg’s Life and Career
- 27 July 1942 – Margaret Anne Lake is born in Accrington, Lancashire.
- 1960s–1970s – Studies English at the University of Leeds; works as sub‑editor and deputy editor at the News of the World.
- 1980s – Begins writing astrology columns for The Sun and News of the World under the name Mystic Meg; launches a phone‑in horoscope hotline that breaks BT records in 1989.
- 1994–2000 – Presents Mystic Meg Predicts on the National Lottery, becoming a household name.
- 2000s – Expands into TV appearances (The Big Breakfast), publishes books, and maintains an online presence.
- 9 March 2023 – Dies at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, aged 80, after being hospitalised with flu.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Mystic Meg
| Established Information | Uncertain Information |
|---|---|
| Born 27 July 1942 as Margaret Anne Lake | Exact net worth (no verified financial records) |
| Died 9 March 2023 at age 80 | Who currently writes the Mystic Meg column for The Sun |
| Cause of death reported as influenza | Details about her long‑term partner, who died around 1976 |
| She is no longer writing new horoscopes | Full ownership details of the official website |
| Her brand continues through mysticmeg.com and The Sun | Any further medical history |
What Did Mystic Meg’s Career Mean in a Broader Context?
Mystic Meg occupied a unique place in British popular culture. She brought astrology and psychic practices into mainstream newspapers and prime‑time television. Her National Lottery segment made her a familiar face in millions of homes, and her phone‑in service demonstrated the commercial viability of horoscopes. After her death, her brand was sustained online, reflecting the lasting appetite for astrology content. The search landscape shows that users continue to seek both biographical details and live horoscopes, a dual demand that few pages currently meet together.
Sources and Quotes
The following sources provide the factual basis for this article. Key quotes from the research include The Guardian’s report that her phone‑in hotline in 1989 “shattered BT records,” and the BBC’s note that she “used tools such as crystal balls, runes, I Ching, tarot, and numerology in her practice.”
“Mystic Meg was a pioneer of phone‑in horoscopes and one of the most recognizable faces of British television astrology.”
— The Guardian
“She amassed a fortune worth millions of pounds from her columns and TV work.”
— GSM.org.uk (secondary source, no verified amount)
Summary: Mystic Meg’s Life and Enduring Influence
Mystic Meg (Margaret Anne Lake) was a groundbreaking astrologer who became a British cultural icon through her Sun column and National Lottery appearances. She died in March 2023 at age 80 from influenza. Although she is no longer writing, her brand continues through weekly horoscopes for all signs on The Sun and at her official website. For those interested in modern alternatives, see our guide to the best astrology apps of 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mystic Meg still alive?
No, Mystic Meg died on 9 March 2023 at the age of 80.
What happened to Mystic Meg’s column in The Sun?
The column continues under the same name, but it is no longer written by Mystic Meg herself.
Did Mystic Meg have a family?
She was married to Paul Alexander, but they later separated. Her family announced her death and requested privacy.
Can I still get a reading from Mystic Meg?
No, she passed away in 2023. However, her official website offers tarot readings and horoscopes.
What is Mystic Meg’s horoscope for today?
You can find daily and weekly horoscopes on The Sun’s website or at mysticmeg.com.
What was Mystic Meg’s real name?
Her real name was Margaret Anne Lake.
Where was Mystic Meg born?
She was born in Accrington, Lancashire, England.
How did Mystic Meg become famous?
She became famous through her astrology column in The Sun and by presenting Mystic Meg Predicts on the National Lottery from 1994 to 2000.
Was Mystic Meg married?
She was married to Paul Alexander, but they later separated. She also had a long‑term partner who died around 1976.
What is Mystic Meg’s net worth?
No reliable public figure exists. One secondary source estimates millions of pounds, but it is not verified.
Amelia Foster is Business & Economy Correspondent at TheUKDaily.uk, covering the UK economy, markets, employment, household costs and consumer finance.