How did Lisa Vanderpump meet Ken Todd? 'Vanderpump Villa' star insists 'they shared an instant connection'

Ken Todd and 'Vanderpump Villa' star Lisa Vanderpump got to know each other through her brother Mark Vanderpump, who was employed at a London nightclub
PUBLISHED APR 1, 2024
Ken Todd initially got to know 'Vanderpump Villa's Lisa Vanderpump through her brother Mark Vanderpump (YouTube/@Bravo)
Ken Todd initially got to know 'Vanderpump Villa's Lisa Vanderpump through her brother Mark Vanderpump (YouTube/@Bravo)

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Lisa Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, have been married for over forty years. The couple met at a nightclub in London when she was 21, and he was 37, and they married just a few months later.

Ken has remained by his wife's side through all the highs and lows, many of which viewers of 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' and 'Vanderpump Rules' have witnessed. Ken has appeared in her previous series, as have their beloved dogs, so viewers anticipate seeing them on 'Vanderpump Villa'.

Ken Todd met 'Vanderpump Villa' star Lisa Vanderpump through her brother, Mark Vanderpump (X/Markvanderpump/YouTube/TheInsider)
Ken Todd met 'Vanderpump Villa' star Lisa Vanderpump through her brother, Mark Vanderpump (X/Markvanderpump/YouTube/TheInsider)

According to Bustle, the couple met on August 28, 1982. Lisa, then a 20-year-old actress, lived in her own London flat.

Ken, however, was the 37-year-old owner of Corks, a tavern nestled in Kensington, where the duo initially crossed paths. According to Bravo TV, Lisa met Ken through her brother, Mark Vanderpump who works at Ken's London pub.

When Lisa picked up her brother from work one evening, she found herself stepping in to assist at the club's entrance due to the absence of one of the bar managers. It was then that Ken stepped through the door. It was then that Ken stepped through the door "I just looked at him, and there was an instant connection," Lisa told The Daily Dish.

Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd sued for not paying a $490K settlement to a former employee (Instagram/@lisavanderpump)
'Vanderpump Villa' star Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd first met in 1982 (Instagram/@lisavanderpump)

When did 'Vanderpump Villa' star Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd get married?

In her appearance on Stassi Schroeder's podcast 'Straight Up with Stassi,' Lisa described their relationship as a whirlwind. "We got engaged after six weeks, and we were married within three months," she said.

In 2018, Pandora, the couple's daughter, shared flashback wedding images on Instagram, showing Lisa wearing a flower crown and veil, dressed in a white gown adorned with ample frills. Ken and Lisa celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in August 2022. Lisa posted a video of the festivities on Instagram.

Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd were hit with 2 lawsuits in 2020 (Instagram/@lisavanderpump)
'Vanderpump Villa' star Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd got engaged 6 weeks into dating (Instagram/@lisavanderpump)

How many children do Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd have?

The couple has two adult children: Pandora Vanderpump Sabo and Max Todd. Additionally, Ken has a child, Warren Todd, from a previous relationship before marrying Lisa.

Pandora and her husband, Jason Sabo, welcomed a son named Theodore in November 2021, making Ken and Lisa first-time grandparents.

'Vanderpump Villa' star Lisa Vanderpump and husband Ken Todd are parents to Pandora Vanderpump Sabo and Max Todd (Instagram/lisavanderpump)
'Vanderpump Villa' star Lisa Vanderpump and husband Ken Todd are parents to Pandora Vanderpump Sabo and Max Todd (Instagram/@lisavanderpump)

How many businesses do Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd own?

During their marriage, Ken and Lisa founded multiple restaurants and a charitable organization. It seems that couples who work together in business also succeed together in their personal lives.

Lisa and Ken run SUR and Pump in Los Angeles, together with TomTom. They also created Vanderpump à Paris, a new Paris-themed restaurant in Las Vegas that connects the already-existing Vanderpump Cocktail Garden.

Pump, Lisa, and Ken's popular restaurant, permanently closed its doors in July 2023. In a February 2024 episode of their reality program, Lisa revealed that Ken's desire to retire influenced their choice to stop the firm.

"After 10 years, we've decided to close Pump. It's bittersweet, but the rent's going up, and it's going to be exponentially more expensive, and Ken's looking to retire," she remarked on season 11 of 'Vanderpump Rules'. "If we take it on for another ten years, that means Ken will still be stomping the pavements of West Hollywood when he'll be in his 80s."

In 2020, a class action complaint alleged that Lisa and Ken failed to pay salaries or provide lunch breaks to restaurant employees. Former employee Adam Pierce Antoine filed a class action complaint against the couple, alleging them of breaking California labor regulations. The couple ultimately decided to settle for $250,000.

In addition to their multiple restaurants and pubs, the pair co-founded a non-profit dog rescue charity. According to the Vanderpump Dog Foundation's website, the organization has both immediate and long-term aims, including low-cost spaying and neutering for rescue pet owners and an end to dog maltreatment globally.

Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd were accused of breaking several California labor laws in 2020 (Instagram/@lisavanderpump)
Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd were accused of breaking several California labor laws in 2020 (Instagram/@lisavanderpump)

Season one of 'Vanderpump Villa' starts on Monday, April 1.  

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘RHORI’ star shared her thoughts about getting labeled and her unconventional romantic relationships.
9 hours ago
Both Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales shared their sides of how things unraveled, as they ended their relationship a month after winning ‘Love Island USA.’
11 hours ago
‘Million Dollar Secret’ Season 2 premiered on April 15, 2026, with 14 contestants competing for the cash prize
13 hours ago
Corey Niles, Samantha Hubbard, and Cara Kies reached the finale of 'Million Dollar Secret' Season 1
15 hours ago
After his elimination from the CBS show, Coach reflected on how things turned out after the producers asked Joe to cast his vote again.
17 hours ago
The latest episode of the competition series featured a double elimination that saw Chrissy and Coach become the newest members of the jury
17 hours ago
Whitney Adebayo and Yamen Sanders clicked immediately on ‘Love Island: All Stars’ Season 3 and earned a date outside the villa
2 days ago
Miller made headlines after her close friend, Amanda Batula, and her ex, West Wilson, announced their long-speculated relationship in March
2 days ago
The final lip sync challenge of the season saw the finalists perform Miley Cyrus' track 'Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved'
2 days ago
The drama-filled ‘RHOBH’ Season 15 reunion premiers April 26 onwards, unfolding over three episodes.
3 days ago