Delia Smith has spoken publicly about the death of her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones, describing herself as "overwhelmed" by the "masses of messages and cards" she has received from well-wishers. Michael died peacefully at home in September at the age of 85, following a period of declining health.
Known to Norwich City fans as the figure who rescued the football club, he was also a businessman, magazine journalist, author, and Delia's husband of 55 years.
Grief and Belief
Discussing her bereavement on the Off Air with Jane and Fi podcast, the cook and television presenter said: "I knew that it was going to be difficult but, the way I describe it is, I have to day by day wait for it to unfold."
She added: "I don't know how it's unfolding completely but it is unfolding. I have this wonderful privilege of being totally unable to believe that a beautiful human life can cease to exist, so that is my belief and I think that does help."
When questioned about whether faith had influenced her mourning, she said: "It's not faith, it's just believing in human life and believing that it can't just cease to exist and I do believe there's more to us than, I think, beyond death."
"I'm sure there is [something more] but that doesn't make it easier but it means I'm at peace about it," she continued. "And I think that's helping me is that I'm at peace about it, I'm not raging about it."
Support and Coping
Speaking about the support she has received, Delia added: "All it's doing is firming my belief in human life."
She revealed she continues with some of the activities she and Michael once shared together, and has taken to sitting in his chair as a means of managing his absence. "The only thing that I do [differently] is I sit on his chair at home at the table and in the sitting room and everywhere because I think I haven't got to look at his empty chair," she explained.
Delia expressed hope that by sharing her story, it might resonate with others experiencing a similar bereavement.
Final Weeks
The cook recently disclosed that Michael had been "very ill" throughout the last six weeks of his life. "I was with him the whole time, night and day, all the time," she said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Looking back on their 55-year marriage, she added: "I mean, 55 years of a marriage, that was so incredible. I mean, we had such a ball together. We did so many things. We had a lovely life together."
"And we're 85 and you're sort of thinking, well, you know, our lives are coming to an end anyway. But obviously, I've got to learn how to be half a whole. That's going to be hard after 55 years."
