Marina Fogle, wife of television presenter Ben Fogle, has revealed she feared their marriage might not survive after a disastrous first Christmas together. The couple, who met while walking their dogs in London's Hyde Park, married in the medieval village of Monsaraz, Portugal, in 2006 following a whirlwind romance.
Writing in The Times, Marina admitted that the festive season 'didn't start well' because Ben comes from a 'family of intuitively good gift givers', while she describes herself as 'absolutely hopeless' and more 'practical' when it comes to buying presents. After they moved into their first home, she visited John Lewis and chose a set of phones with an integrated answering machine, a cluster of remote control lamp plugs, a loo roll holder and a doormat for her new husband.
Ben's reaction was one of disappointment, and in contrast, he presented Marina with a ring embellished with three emeralds, representing him and their two pet dogs. She quipped: 'Part of him had to be wondering how long this marriage would last.'
Despite the rocky start, Marina says she has enjoyed some successes over the years, including surprising Ben with a portrait of his cherished dog Inca, painted by artists Olly and Suzi. However, Inca passed away just before Ben's 40th birthday, so Marina gave him the gift early, leaving the Animal Park host 'lost for words'.
Marina concedes that Ben is 'not easy to buy for' and has a tendency to purchase everything he wants before Christmas. While he appreciates thoughtful gifts, she admits he 'doesn't always get it right', once buying her a 'beautifully crafted' folding bar that she despised. With 'nothing left to buy' for him, she has stored a cleverly designed bread knife, an electric barbecue cleaner and an in-flight neck support in her present drawer, anticipating that Ben will 'detest' them and that they will be stashed 'out of sight' within five years.
