Sir Michael Palin, 81, reveals his regret over leaving late wife Helen Gibbins to ‘look after herself’ while he jetted off to film travel documentaries

Sir Michael Palin, 81, reveals his regret over leaving late wife Helen Gibbins to 'look after herself' while he jetted off to film travel documentaries

As a lifestyle expert with a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of human experiences, I find myself deeply moved by the poignant story of Sir Michael Palin and his wife Helen. Their 57-year marriage, sparked by youthful serendipity in Suffolk, is a testament to the power of fate and enduring love.


They were married for 57 years after meeting as teenagers on holiday in Suffolk.

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but share my thoughts on Sir Michael Palin’s recent confessions. In the pursuit of capturing the world through his iconic travel documentaries, he admitted to leaving his beloved wife Helen when she was gravely ill. This decision, made by the man who has always been a beacon of inspiration for me, is something I can’t help but ponder over.

For a number of years, the mother endured persistent pain, eventually also facing kidney issues. Her children include Thomas, aged 56, William, 53, and Rachel, 49.

Monty Python star Sir Michael, 81, said: ‘I don’t have regrets really.

‘Perhaps towards the end, when I was doing the later travel journeys like North Korea.

Sir Michael Palin, 81, reveals his regret over leaving late wife Helen Gibbins to 'look after herself' while he jetted off to film travel documentaries

Sir Michael Palin, 81, reveals his regret over leaving late wife Helen Gibbins to 'look after herself' while he jetted off to film travel documentaries
Sir Michael Palin, 81, reveals his regret over leaving late wife Helen Gibbins to 'look after herself' while he jetted off to film travel documentaries

At that point, Helen wasn’t in the best of health, nor was she able to take care of herself as effectively as usual, which made things a bit challenging during that period.

She might not have been eager for me to leave at that moment, but she recognized the strong roots of my wanderlust and curiosity about others. It wasn’t a desire to escape my home environment; quite the contrary.

Sir Michael and Gibbins met at the seaside town of Southwold when they were 16.

In my freshman year at Oxford University, I serendipitously ran into someone I knew, and it wasn’t long before we were married at just 22 years old.

At the reunion, Sir Michael remarked, “Fate seemed to be applying immense pressure on us during that period.

The writer behind “Pole to Pole” has published a new book titled “There And Back,” which is a compilation of his personal journals. He mentioned that these writings were instrumental in helping him manage the health challenges faced by his spouse.

He said: ‘Helen was ill for a couple of years, so it wasn’t a sudden death, and I was helping her and caring for her through a lot of pain. Writing this down helped me to deal with it. I needed to remember all that.’

As Sir Michael was jetting off to create documentaries on North Korea and Iraq for Channel 5, the BBC TV director was battling with kidney issues, having departed from the BBC in 2012.

Sir Michael Palin, 81, reveals his regret over leaving late wife Helen Gibbins to 'look after herself' while he jetted off to film travel documentaries
Sir Michael Palin, 81, reveals his regret over leaving late wife Helen Gibbins to 'look after herself' while he jetted off to film travel documentaries

Sir Michael disclosed that he parted ways with the BBC following a period of 23 years, due to becoming increasingly irritated by the network’s overbearing management approach and particular editing methods they applied to his programs.

In my perspective as a lifestyle expert, I shared with Radio Times that there seemed to be an undercurrent of desire from the BBC to exert a tad more influence, and to have a stronger grip on the situation at hand.

Instead of building suspense throughout the show, they revealed key highlights from the beginning itself, a method that left me utterly agitated and yearning for more.

‘Because this captured viewers. Otherwise, as soon as they see Michael Palin, they’ll switch off.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but notice the shift in trajectory that the BBC is embarking on. The way they present their content seems to be veering off into uncharted territory.

Last week the actor heartbreakingly admitted that his late wife’s clothes were still hanging ‘in the cupboard’ as they make it feel as if she was ‘still here’.

For over a year now, Michael has shared how he finds comfort in seeing her possessions at their home, as it brings back memories of the times they spent together. Moreover, he mentioned that this is the very reason why he intends to stay put and not move from there.

In an interview with The Times, Michael shared his current feelings about moving: “At this point, I’m not inclined to move – for now, at least. The things surrounding me are filled with memories and moments that evoke our shared past, not in a sentimental sense.

What you’re saying is, “Those things you rely on greatly shape your experiences. Remove them, and I would find myself in a completely new situation, playing a distinct role. However, I prefer not to change my circumstances.

Instead of adjusting to the new normal, I continue living as if Helen is still around. Her garments remain in the wardrobes, and I refrain from altering my lifestyle because it feels like she wouldn’t want me to. This house continues to provide a comforting sanctuary for me, and I sense her spirit lingering here.

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2024-09-24 00:51

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