When I started to write this article 10 days ago, I wanted to report on two UK icons who had sold their businesses recently. In the meantime, a third one joined the ranks of exit-entrepreneurs. I will portrait one of the women in a lengthy piece later, as she is the ultimate Female Internet Hero.

I hope these exit entrepreneurs will stay the inspirational leaders that they have always been, but that they will become -with their newly earned millions-, female business angels and will be investing in a lot of new ventures, thereby supporting women-led companies as well.

Here they are:

Nicole Farhi: The fashion chain French Connection is selling off its label Nicole Farhi to American private equity group OpenGate Capital in a deal worth £5m. Whether it was a forced sale, is not clear, however, as the company last year lost £5.6m on sales of £21.7m, as reported by Real Business . Nicole Farhi stays on as creative director at the brand under its new owners.

Cath Kidston,  has confirmed it has been bought by private equity vehicle TA Associates and has laid out plans for international expansion, according to Drapers Magazine.  Earlier The Guardian revealed that she was in talks to sell her retail empire to the American buyout firm TA Associates in a deal that would slap a £100m price tag on the retail empire.

and the third:

Natalie Massenet sold her shares in Net-a-Porter to Richemont, owners of Cartier and Montblanc, for £50m, which means that the value of the company was set at £350 million.

These female entrepreneurs have been taking risks as entrepreneur and maybe now hopefully they will use their experience as investor and mentor for other entrepreneurs. Let them be angels!!