If you’ve ever found yourself shouting "Lacroix, darling!" at a discount clothing rack, you’ve probably felt the chaotic spirit of Edina Monsoon. She’s the frantic, fashion-obsessed PR "mogul" who anchor’s Absolutely Fabulous. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine Patsy Stone without her. They’re like a high-octane, Bollinger-fueled version of Holmes and Watson, if Watson spent all his time trying to squeeze into a size 10 Chanel jacket.
Most people see Eddy as just a shallow social climber. That’s partly true. But she’s actually a lot more complicated. She is a woman who hit the 90s running and never quite figured out how to slow down. Her friendship with Patsy isn't just about drinking; it’s a survival tactic.
The Real Edina Monsoon: More Than Just a PR Disaster
Edina is basically the engine of the show. While Patsy provides the cool, detached cynicism, Eddy provides the pure, unadulterated desperation. She wants to be "in." She wants to be "hip." She wants to be anything other than a middle-aged mother living in Holland Park.
You’ve probably heard that Jennifer Saunders based the character on a real person. It’s a well-known bit of trivia that PR guru Lynne Franks was a major inspiration. Franks was famous for her New Age interests and her whirlwind lifestyle. Saunders took those traits and cranked them up to eleven.
Why the "Fat Friend" Label is Total Rubbish
One of the weirdest things about rewatching Ab Fab today is the constant jokes about Edina’s weight. By any modern standard, Jennifer Saunders was—and is—a perfectly healthy, normal-sized woman. But in the twisted world of 90s fashion PR, not being a skeletal size zero was considered a moral failing.
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Patsy is the enabler here. She’s the one constantly poking at Eddy’s insecurities. It’s a toxic dynamic, sure, but it’s also incredibly relatable. We all have that one friend who makes us feel slightly "less than" just by existing.
- The Diet Fads: Cabbage soup, pills, literal starvation—Eddy tried it all.
- The Outfits: She didn't dress for her body; she dressed for the label. If it was Lacroix, she wore it, even if she looked like a "stuffed sausage."
- The Mindset: Her self-worth was entirely tied to the number on the scale and the names in her Rolodex.
The Saffy Factor: A Mother-Daughter War
The real heart of the show isn't the fashion. It’s the constant, grinding friction between Edina and her daughter, Saffron. Saffy is the ultimate buzzkill. She’s sensible, she wears cardigans, and she actually reads things. To Eddy, Saffy is a constant reminder of the "boring" life she’s trying to escape.
It’s a complete role reversal. Saffy acts like the mother, and Eddy acts like a petulant teenager. This wasn't just a funny gimmick; it was a sharp satire of the baby boomer generation. While their kids were trying to be responsible, the parents were busy trying to find the next great rave.
The Men in Her Life (Or Lack Thereof)
Eddy has two ex-husbands, and they both say a lot about her character.
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- Marshall: The first husband, a bit of a loser, really.
- Justin: Saffy’s father. He’s gay, which Eddy actually seems to find "fabulous" in a weird way.
She doesn't really want a husband. She wants an audience. Patsy fills that role better than any man ever could. They share a codependency that is both terrifying and deeply touching.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Eddy and Patsy Bond
People often ask if they actually like each other. The answer is: they need each other. Patsy basically lives at Eddy’s house. She eats her food (well, she drinks her booze) and uses her chauffeur. In exchange, Patsy gives Eddy the "cool" factor she craves.
Patsy was a model. She has the history. She has the "don't give a damn" attitude that Eddy can only dream of. Without Patsy, Eddy would just be a lonely woman in a big house. Without Eddy, Patsy would probably be in a gutter somewhere.
The Career That Never Quite Happens
Does Edina actually do any PR? Occasionally. We see her "working" with clients like Twiggy or Lulu, but mostly she’s just having meetings about having meetings. Her assistant, Bubble, is even more useless than she is. Bubble is a brilliant character played by Jane Horrocks, and she represents the absolute absurdity of the industry.
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The Legacy of the Queen of PR
Absolutely Fabulous wasn't just a sitcom. It was a cultural moment. It captured the "Cool Britannia" era perfectly—the excess, the drugs, the obsession with celebrity. Edina Monsoon was the face of that era. She was messy, she was selfish, and she was loud.
But she was also human.
In the 2016 movie, we see a rare moment of clarity. Eddy realizes that the world has moved on. She’s a "dinosaur" in the age of Instagram and influencers. It’s actually quite sad. Seeing these two icons face their own irrelevance is a reminder that the party always ends eventually.
Actionable Insights for the Ab Fab Fan
If you want to channel your inner Edina (without the liver damage), here’s how to do it with a bit of 2026 sensibility:
- Embrace the Chaos: Don't be afraid to be a bit "much." Life is too short for beige cardigans.
- Value Real Friendship: Find your Patsy. Find the person who will go on a high-speed chase to the French Riviera with you just because things got a bit "sticky" at a party.
- Know Your Worth: Don't let the "Saffys" of the world tell you that you’re too old or too loud.
- Buy the Shoes: If they're fabulous, get them. Just maybe don't try to walk in them.
Edina Monsoon remains a legend because she refused to grow up. In a world that constantly tells women to be quiet and "age gracefully," Eddy screamed, drank, and wore the most ridiculous hat she could find. That is truly, absolutely fabulous.
To dive deeper into the world of 90s British comedy, look for the original French and Saunders sketches where Eddy and Saffy first appeared. The evolution of the characters from a five-minute skit to a global phenomenon is a masterclass in character development and sharp writing.