Sam Vanderpump dad was Mark Vanderpump — a businessman, DJ, and sound engineer who was also the older brother of Real Housewives star Lisa Vanderpump. Mark passed away in 2018, and his death has shaped much of how his son Sam, now a Made in Chelsea star, talks about family, grief, and fatherhood today.
Quick answer: Mark Vanderpump was Lisa Vanderpump's older brother, a businessman and DJ, and the father of Made in Chelsea's Sam Vanderpump and his older brother Jack. He passed away from an overdose in 2018, in a death that was later ruled a suicide.
This guide covers who Mark Vanderpump was, what happened to him, and how his son Sam has spoken about carrying his memory forward.
Who Is Mark Vanderpump?
Mark Vanderpump was born into the same family as reality TV royalty Lisa Vanderpump, but he largely stayed out of the spotlight himself. He was John Vanderpump son, making him Lisa’s brother and, by extension, Sam Vanderpump dad.
Unlike his famous sister, Mark lived much of his life away from the public eye and worked in various professional capacities without seeking media attention. He was known primarily to friends, family, and industry contacts rather than tabloid readers.
- Full name: Mark Vanderpump
- Known for: Businessman, DJ, sound engineer
- Sister: Lisa Vanderpump
- Sons: Sam Vanderpump and Jack Vanderpump
- Wife: Simone Vanderpump
Mark Vanderpump’s Career
Mark built a career largely in music and events. He worked as a sound engineer and DJ, working behind the scenes in the music industry, and his expertise in event management brought him into contact with high-profile clients.
Later in life, he moved into installing sound equipment for private clients. This side of his career is also how he met his future wife, Simone — a story Sam has shared in interviews.
Key facts about Mark’s career:
- Started out running a DJ agency
- Moved into installing home sound systems
- Worked with high-profile clients, including installations connected to Prince Andrew’s residence
- Built a business reputation separate from the Vanderpump restaurant empire
Mark and Simone Vanderpump’s Love Story
One detail that’s become well known through Sam’s interviews is the unusual way his parents met. Sam has explained that his mum, Simone, previously worked as Prince Andrew’s private chef, while his dad was installing sound equipment at the same residence.
According to Sam, a royal dog bit his dad, and his mum had to bandage him up. They went out for dinner soon after and were engaged within a few months. It’s a quirky, human story that Sam has told to illustrate what his parents were like before he was born — down-to-earth, and not defined by the Vanderpump name.
How Mark Vanderpump Died
This is the most sensitive part of Mark’s story, and it’s one the family has addressed carefully in public.
Mark Vanderpump died in 2018 at the age of 59. He was found unresponsive in his home in Gloucestershire, with an inquest finding that he was surrounded by tablets and whiskey. He was taken to hospital but died soon after; his cause of death was recorded as drug toxicity.
A coroner later classed his death as suicide, citing messages Mark had sent to loved ones saying goodbye, along with a previous attempt earlier that December. The coroner described it as the tragic loss of a man facing significant life circumstances.
Lisa Vanderpump has spoken about her brother’s death on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, saying she personally believes it was accidental rather than intentional — a view rooted in how well she knew him, even though the formal ruling differed.
A note on this topic: Mental health struggles aren’t always visible from the outside, even to close family. Mark’s story is a reminder that this is true regardless of someone’s outward success or circumstances.
How Sam Vanderpump Has Spoken About His Dad
Sam has been unusually open about how his father’s death affected him — something that stands out given how private the rest of his family typically is.
He’s described going years without really processing the loss: “From age 21 to 27, I didn’t think I spoke to anyone about it. We just didn’t. It was just too raw because of the manner in which he went.”
He’s also spoken about what it means for his own family going forward. Sam told his wife Alice that he finds it hard his dad won’t be at their wedding, and that his child will never meet their grandad, calling it “very sad — especially with the way he went.”
Mark Vanderpump’s Legacy: Baby Marmaduke
One of the clearest ways Sam has honored his father is through his son’s name. Sam and his wife Alice named their baby Marmaduke — a name Sam has said his dad loved.
Sam explained to Hello! that the name is about remembering loved ones in as many ways as possible, adding that he can already see features of his father in his son, and that he wishes his dad could have met him.
Why the name matters:
- It was reportedly a name Mark himself loved
- Sam has said it keeps his dad’s memory present in daily life
- It reflects a broader theme in Sam’s public interviews: processing grief through fatherhood
The Vanderpump Family Tree
Understanding Sam’s dad also means understanding the wider Vanderpump family structure.
| Family Member | Relationship to Sam | Known For |
| Mark Vanderpump | Father | Businessman, DJ |
| Simone Vanderpump | Mother | Former private chef |
| Jack Vanderpump | Older brother | Stays out of the spotlight |
| Lisa Vanderpump | Aunt (Mark’s sister) | Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules |
| John Vanderpump | Grandfather | Former ad agency art director |
| Alice Yaxley | Wife | Made in Chelsea |
| Marmaduke | Son | Born February 2026 |
Sam Vanderpump’s Life Today
Sam is now known primarily as a cast member on Made in Chelsea, where he’s also spoken publicly about a separate, unrelated health journey — a diagnosis with end-stage liver disease and his place on a transplant waiting list. He’s married to Alice Yaxley, and the couple welcomed their son Marmaduke in February 2026.
Professionally, Sam has built his own path away from both reality TV and the Vanderpump restaurant business: he’s the founder of currency brokerage Vanderpump FX and managing director at fintech company Dapio.
FAQs
Who is Sam Vanderpump dad?
Sam Vanderpump dad was Mark Vanderpump, Lisa Vanderpump’s older brother, who worked as a businessman and DJ.
Is Sam Vanderpump related to Lisa Vanderpump?
Yes — Sam is Lisa Vanderpump’s nephew. His dad, Mark, was Lisa’s older brother.
How did Mark Vanderpump die?
Mark Vanderpump died in 2018 from drug toxicity; a coroner’s inquest later ruled his death a suicide.
Who is Sam Vanderpump’s mum?
Sam’s mum is Simone Vanderpump, who previously worked as a private chef.
Does Sam Vanderpump have siblings?
Yes — Sam has an older brother named Jack Vanderpump, who tends to stay out of the public eye.
Why did Sam name his son Marmaduke?
Sam named his son Marmaduke as a tribute to his late father, Mark, who loved the name.
Conclusion
Sam Vanderpump dad, Mark Vanderpump, may not have sought the spotlight the way his sister Lisa did, but his life and loss have shaped a great deal of Sam’s public story — from how openly Sam talks about grief to the name he chose for his own son. As Sam continues to build his own life with his wife Alice and son Marmaduke, his father’s memory remains a constant thread running through it.
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