Manchester United icon George Best’s first girlfriend gives up partying to become a nun
George Best’s first girlfriend became a monk and shaved her head after splitting with the Manchester United legend. Beyond his iconic football career and hedonistic lifestyle, Best, who died exactly 20 years ago at the age of 59 after a long battle with alcoholism, enjoyed countless high-profile romances.
His first notable WAG was model Jackie Glass, who initially rejected the advances of Best, who was playing for United while living in London. Nevertheless, the charming Northern Irishman eventually succeeded in winning her affections, setting the stage for a whirlwind romance.
Glass, now known as Ani Rinchen, revealed on Belfast Live in 2015: “Of course I gave in in the end. He was a charismatic guy.”
It was Glass who ended the relationship after his infidelity was discovered through the media. She added: “We were together for a year properly and then on and off for another year. I was his first love.
“He said there was no point in it and tried to get me back together. I was tempted, but I didn’t think things would change. We loved each other, but our lifestyles were different. I didn’t want to be a footballer’s wife.”
Glass’s journey took a dramatically different direction than Best’s, as he was moved by a speech by the Dalai Lama, embraced Buddhism, and adopted a new identity. After moving to a Buddhist monastery, she was ordained as a nun in 1994.
She chose a life of celibacy, solitude, daily meditation, and wore a simple red robe without makeup. Ani Rinchen said, “I thought it wouldn’t be funny, but I got tired of parties where everyone drinks a lot and talks nonsense.”
“I cut my long blonde hair. I felt air on my head. It was liberating. I let go of everything that wasn’t good for me.
“I think he has strayed too far from his true self. We are so focused on the outside that we don’t look inside. Buddhism brings you back to your true self.”
When she learned of Mr Best’s death during a retreat to Holy Island, she recalled: “It was very sad. We had a little ceremony and said a prayer.
“I think he got too far from his true self. Sometimes we look outward and never look inward. Buddhism brings you back to your true self.”
“I could have gone down the road with George. I was a young, pretty girl. I knew a lot of people, but I didn’t feel like I had a lot of friends. I’m very happy now.”
“Someone told me that George was reading the Dalai Lama’s book near the end. Maybe he had started reading the book. Maybe in the afterlife…”
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