Dame Jenni Murray dies: Former BBC Woman’s Hour presenter and Daily Mail columnist passes away aged 75
Dame Jenni Murray, who presented BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour for more than three decades and was a Daily Mail columnist, has died aged 75.
His family said they wanted to share the “sad news that their beloved mother and wife, Jenni Murray, died on March 12.”
One of the country’s most prominent and respected broadcasters, Dame Jenni joined Woman’s Hour in 1987 and left in 2020 as its longest-serving presenter.
During her time on the show, the gorgeous presenter conducted unforgettable interviews with various female figures such as Bette Davis, Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton and Margaret Atwood.
BBC director general Tim Davie said he described himself as a ‘broadcast icon’.
He said: ‘This is incredibly sad news and our thoughts are with all of Dame Jenni’s family and friends. Dame Jenni was simply a broadcast icon.
Throughout her groundbreaking three decades on Woman’s Hour, Jenni has created a safe space for her viewers with her warmth, wit, and courage.
‘We will all miss him very much. His legacy lives on in the countless conversations he started, the many issues he championed, and the lives he touched.’
Dame Jenni Murray, who presented BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour for more than three decades, has died aged 75.
One of the country’s most prominent and respected broadcasters, Dame Jenni joined Woman’s Hour in 1987 and left in 2020 as its longest-serving presenter.
She was named dame in 2011 for her contributions to broadcasting, and has also won two Sony Awards during her career and has been inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame.
In 2006, true to her belief of being honest with her listeners, Dame Jenni announced live on air that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy before returning to Radio 4.
Dame Jenni studied grammar in her hometown of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, before studying French and drama at the University of Hull.
In another tribute, talent management firm Knight Ayton said Dame Jenni Murray was ‘a true professional and pioneer’.
A spokesperson for the firm said in a statement: ‘We are very sorry to learn of the death of Dame Jenni Murray.
‘We began representing Jenni in 2020 as she left Woman’s Hour after a long career on Radio 4.
‘Staying true to his fun spirit, he surprised many by appearing on ITV’s The Real Full Monty to great acclaim that same year. The announcement of his participation became front page news. The reason for joining was simple. To encourage more women to get breast cancer checked.
Childhood radio host Jenni Murray in her coronation dress
‘Last year she returned to the BBC to present Jenni Murray’s Women Composers series for Radio 3. We loved working with Jenni, a true professional and pioneer.
‘He interviewed every prime minister of the last 30 years, was as comfortable around powerful politicians as he was with Madeleine McCann’s grieving parents, and the first Hollywood star he encountered was Bette Davis.
‘The late foreign correspondent Charles Wheeler described Jenni as having ‘the most beautiful voice ever on radio.’
Originally from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Dame Jenni leaves behind her husband David Forgham and their two children.
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