'I'm just a normal 27-year-old girl who enjoys shopping and going on holiday': Tamara Ecclestone defends her lifestyle

Last updated at 10:59 AM on 9th January 2012

She spent New Year's in the Maldives and Dubai, is overseeing an £18million remodel on her £45million home and treats her pet pooches to daily grooming at Harrods.

But Tamara Ecclestone insists she is just your average girls' girl, albeit with a significantly higher bank balance.

The 27-year-old heiress says she is aware that her life is different to others, and that it is this realisation that means she is not spoilt.

Lifestyles of the rich and famous: Tamara Ecclestone has defended her privileged lifestyle in a new interview

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Tamara reveals that her father Bernie brought her up to enjoy the wealth he accumulated.

'I am not an airhead,' she says. 'At the end of the day I’m just a normal 27-year-old girl. I enjoy shopping and going on holiday.

'Ask any girls my age up and down the country if they enjoy going shopping – of course they do.'

Her decision to open her doors to a camera crew last year for the Channel 5 series Billion $$ Girl was an effort to dispel assumptions about Tamara and her lifestyle.

Jet-setter: The 27-year-old has just returned from a luxury New Year's break in the Maldives and Dubai

But seeing the brunette heiress being pampered daily and enjoying her legendary £200,000 handbag collection was perhaps ill-advised in the midst of a recession.

A look at Tamara's Twitter page reveals days filled with 'mani/pedis,' shopping, nights out and jet-setting.

As most of us were shuffling back to work in the cold after New Year, Tamara tweeted: 'Weather is beautiful in Dubai today on the beach tanning time!'

'I'm not an airhead': Tamra says she is just like any girl her age who enjoys shopping and holidays

Of course, she does work. In addition to the reality show, Tamara has modelled for Ultimo lingerie and is working on a hair care range.

She raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital with her latest charity party held in November.

'There’s a big difference between being privileged and being spoilt,' she tells the Mirror. 'My parents always said, "Spoilt means ruined and you’re not ruined, just incredibly fortunate."

'I’m proud of my dad and I’m very grateful that he’s afforded me a nice life. But I am not going to spend the rest of my life apologising for it.

'He wants me to enjoy my money': Ecclestone says she is not spoilt, simply privileged, and is aware that her father Bernie's wealth has afforded her an extraordinary lifestyle

'He wants me to enjoy my money': Ecclestone says she is not spoilt, and is aware that her father's wealth has afforded her an extraordinary lifestyle

'He wasn’t spoon-fed, he didn’t have the luxury of going to university and getting an education, but he is so smart and has created this amazing empire – and he wanted his children to have a better start in life than he did. He wants me to enjoy my money.'

And enjoy it she will - Tamara's new 55-room home will include a gym, nightclub, bowling alley, and THAT crystal bathtub.

But she has re-thought the doggy day spa.

Luxury: Tamara is currently overseeing a £18million remodel of her £45million home

Shopping habit: Tamara says her love of fashion of jet-setting is no different to your average 27-year-old woman

'I do still get fed up with people sniping about my wealth.

'Even though I don’t really expect anything else. Criticism used to hurt a lot more.

'I am a sensitive person but the older I get I listen to the advice my parents give, which is not to let it get to me.'

A spokesperson for Ecclestone was unavailable for comment when contacted by Mail Online.