Delia Smith has spoken about the death of her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones, and the support she has received from fans since his passing. Michael died peacefully at home in September, aged 85, after a period of ill health. He was remembered by Norwich City supporters as the man who saved the football club, and was also a businessman, magazine journalist, author, and Delia's husband of 55 years.
The cook and television presenter said she has been "overwhelmed" by the "masses of messages and cards" sent to her by people offering sympathy.
Grief and Belief
Speaking about her grief on the Off Air with Jane and Fi podcast, she 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."
Asked whether faith had played a part in her grieving process, she continued: "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."
Coping with Loss
"I'm sure there is [something more] but that doesn't make it easier but it means I'm at peace about it," she added. "And I think that's helping me is that I'm at peace about it, I'm not raging about it."
Addressing the support she has received, Delia continued: "All it's doing is firming my belief in human life." She said she continues to do some of the things she and Michael enjoyed together and also sits in his chair as a way of coping with 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 added.
A 55-Year Marriage
Delia said she hoped that sharing her experience would resonate with others going through a similar loss. She recently revealed that Michael had been "very ill" during the final 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. Reflecting on their marriage, she said: "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."
