Laura Ashley was the most successful business woman in Wales. During the 1970s her floral patterned clothes were sold across the world, and the company's household products offered the dream of the ideal country life.
But in the final programme of the history series Mamwlad on Sunday, 12 February, Ffion Hague discovers that life wasn't all rosy for the business woman who was born in Merthyr.
"Bernard and Laura's marriage was stormy, there's no doubt about it," says biographer Anne Sebba, author of 'Laura Ashley: A Life By Design', about Laura's relationship with her husband who ran the company with her.
Bernard had a bad temper and he insisted he got the credit for the success of the company. While everyone agrees that Laura was the one with the big vision, she allowed Bernard to think he was the boss.
"It was often very difficult for her because she had fantastic ideas and if she felt that she was encroaching on something that was male territory she had to be very careful how she achieved that," explains Anne.
"There was one occasion when she had an idea for a print and she spoke to the printers about it and Bernard was absolutely furious because he felt she had interfered with his side of the business and so he took out a knife and slashed the screen.
"When she was offered an OBE she had to turn it down because she knew she could not live with Bernard if she had accepted," adds Anne.
But why, with all her success, did Laura choose to stay in such a troubled relationship?
"Many women today would have left a man like Bernard. But the truth is that she loved him," says the producer of the programme, Llinos Wynne. "There was a special relationship between the two and there is no doubt that the business was a partnership."
Former employees of the company remember Laura with affection as do the residents of Dowlais, where she spent much of her childhood with her grandmother. The programme gives a portrait of a gentle, friendly and kind woman - the complete opposite to her husband.
"Laura's influence can still be seen in Carno," says Llinos Wynne about the village in Montgomeryshire where they established the factories. "The family was part of the community and many counted Laura as their friend, rather than a boss.
"The fact that she succeeded despite all the tensions in her personal life is proof of the incredible vision she had," adds Llinos.
