Bake Off judge Prue Leith says women ‘can’t have it all’ and admits she would have found full-time motherhood ‘boring’ ahead of show’s return

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As an ardent admirer, I’d rephrase that as follows: In a heartfelt conversation about her illustrious career, Dame Prue Leith candidly confessed that she feels she wouldn’t have found the joy of motherhood fulfilling, instead finding it dull and exhausting, implying that women can’t effortlessly balance a thriving career with parenthood.

In a candid reflection, the esteemed judge from The Great British Bake Off, now 85 years old, expresses that she may not have been able to establish her restaurant, initiate her cooking school, or expand her catering business if she had gotten married and started a family in her twenties.

It seems like everything hinges on timing, doesn’t it? If you’re fortunate enough to excel in something that provides the means for assistance – essentially, securing aid is crucial, because managing two, three, or more children alongside a full-time job is practically impossible without external help,” she shared on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast.

As a devoted admirer, let me share that I embarked on parenthood at the ripe age of 34, giving me ample time to establish and grow my business first. This sequence allowed me to approach my role as a parent with the stability and experience gained from years in my professional endeavors.

I believe that I might not have reached where I am today if I had married my husband when I was around 22 or 23 years old. However, it was at that age when we first met, but I didn’t marry him until later.

If we’d tied the knot at such a young age and I had already raised my children, it would have been impossible for me to manage the restaurant or open the school as those endeavors took a decade.

In her late teens or early twenties, Prue came across her first spouse, Rayne Kruger, who at the time was already married to Prue’s mother’s close friend. They started an affair and ultimately got married in 1974, but he passed away in 2002.

As a devoted admirer, I delightfully share that this remarkable duo has a family of two, spanning across generations. The eldest is none other than Danny, now a distinguished Conservative Member of Parliament for Devizes, proudly striding at 50 years old. The other, Li-Da, born in Cambodia and adopted as an infant, has graced their lives at the tender age of 49.

Prue remarried in 2016, tying the knot with retired fashion designer John Playfair when she was 76.

In 1969, she launched her restaurant, but it wasn’t until the ’70s that business truly took off due to the addition of a cookery school. Everything seemed to be thriving at that time.

My kids were born in 1974, so as I welcomed them into the world, both biologically and through adoption, I initially hired an au pair and later on, a nanny to assist with their care.

However, the beloved Bake Off contestant, making a comeback on Channel 4’s latest episodes starting Tuesday, firmly believes that women ought not to burden themselves with the expectation of handling all responsibilities simultaneously.

When asked if women can have it all, she replied: ‘No, you can’t have it all.’

Speaking from the heart, let me confess, I’d have struggled as a full-time mom. The constant companionship of little ones, while joyful in its own right, would have left me longing for moments of solitude and rejuvenation.

As a die-hard fan, let me tell you, I would’ve been constantly irked and enraged by them all. I firmly believe they require some respite from their mom, just as I do from them.

In 2017, the restaurant owner who became a judge on The Great British Bake Off commendably highlighted his son’s mother-in-law, Ginny, as an exceptional hands-on grandmother who significantly impacts the lives of her three grandchildren positively.

As a devoted admirer, I must confess that she’s nothing short of the epitome of a dream grandma. Her magic touch extends far beyond just being there; she crafts enchanting costumes with the little ones for fancy dress-ups, whips up scrumptious meals, maintains a spotless home, and escorts the kids to the park for hours of joyous playtime. She’s simply extraordinary!

As a devoted admirer, I must say, she consistently fits seamlessly into every situation – quite remarkable since she doesn’t receive a regular salary for her efforts. This trait of hers is simply extraordinary; it’s hard to imagine many people possessing such selflessness. To me, Ginny embodies the epitome of kindness and generosity, as I personally could not fathom taking on that job without monetary compensation.

Although Prue wouldn’t have found full-time parenting entirely pleasurable, she holds great admiration for women who truly enjoy being full-time mothers.

Some moms adore every moment with their kids, and that’s terrific – I’m not implying it’s a negative thing. We’re all unique in our own ways, but honestly, I find it incredibly commendable, as I couldn’t imagine sustaining such an energy level consistently.

A notable figure in the culinary world, honored as a Dame in 2021, has also shared her struggles with feelings of being a fraud, or imposter syndrome, even amidst her lengthy and influential tenure within the British food scene.

She candidly acknowledged, ‘If being highly successful stirs up thoughts like, “How on earth did I end up here? This feels absurd. I don’t truly belong,” then yes, I experience feelings of imposter syndrome.’

She attributed her success to an extraordinary stroke of luck and a divine source of energy she believes she was gifted. Every morning, she finds herself energized and ready to take on new challenges, but her child once jokingly characterized her as quite exhausting.

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2025-09-02 13:20