Author Julian Barnes marries in secret ahead of his 80th birthday as he battles cancer as he reveals late wife gave him blessing to find love again when she was dying from cancer
Writer Julian Barnes got married secretly just before his 80th birthday while he was battling a rare form of blood cancer.
The Booker Prize-winning novelist married his former publisher Rachel Cugnoni in front of just eight people in a registry office in August last year.
Mr Barnes said he never expected to ‘start over’ when his first wife, literary agent Pat Kavanagh, died of a brain tumor in 2008, adding that he prayed she would find love again.
His romantic relationship with Ms. Cugnoni began eight years ago, just a few years before his cancer diagnosis.
The couple kept the news of their marriage secret until they invited 100 friends and family to a party to celebrate Barnes’ upcoming birthday.
Speaking to his guests, Barnes talked about the dinner he organized in 2011 to celebrate winning the Booker Prize for his novel The Sense of an Ending.
At the time, Ms. Cugnoni said her congratulatory speech was so spectacular that she eventually asked him to give a speech at her wedding.
An explosive Barnes told party guests: ‘I think that’s it.’
The Booker Prize-winning novelist married his former publisher Rachel Cugnoni (pictured) in front of just eight people in a registry office in August last year.
Mr Barnes said he never expected to ‘start over’ when his first wife, literary agent Pat Kavanagh (pictured), died of a brain tumor in 2008.
He added: ‘Then when they realized what I meant they all stood up and applauded. It was really impressive.”
The newlyweds have known each other for 30 years because Ms. Cugnoni was Mr. Barnes’ publisher at Vintage.
To talk Telegram She said: ‘It took me a long time to think I could have another relationship.
‘I knew Pat would want me to meet someone else. Luckily he didn’t tell me, he told others when he was sick.’
His latest novel, Departure(s), will be published next week.
He went on to have a fantastic literary career, publishing 15 novels, starting with Metroland in 1980.
