Petra Ecclestone credits her children with helping her to "cope" with her divorce from James Stunt

She said: “I think it was the kids that made me cope. I didn’t have the option of lying in bed, being depressed and feeling sorry for myself.

“I had to wake up for them. They kind of pushed me through it.”

James and Petra's divorce came after James signed a prenuptial agreement worth £16 million, which came six years after they tied the knot during a £12 million ceremony that took place at a castle in Italy.

Petra says that she teaches her children that "love" is more important than wealth and as a result they are very grounded.

She admitted to the latest issue of HELLO! magazine: “They understand that they’re fortunate compared to other people.

“They’re polite and respectful. And I really believe that love is the most important thing you can give to a child. That matters so much more than money.

“I learned from an early age that people are greedy, and they’ll do things for money … My dad told me not to trust people, and I guess that’s a protective mechanism."

Petra has started seeing new boyfriend Sam Palmer - who is a friend of her sister Tamara's husband Jay Rutland - and admits it was " totally unexpected".

She said: “Life comes in unexpected waves and turns. And luckily I’ve found someone amazing … I was totally not expecting it. I honestly thought I’d just be single for the rest of my life.”

Petra plans to become a mother to at least two more children and says it's her "dream" to adopt.

Referring to her sister - who has four-year-old daughter Sophia with husband Jay - she said: “It’s always been a dream of mine to adopt. Maybe have a few more of my own, too.

“Tamara is happy with just one child, but I’ve always envisaged having a big family … I think five or six would be a good number.”