Michael Palin Reflects on Grief Two Years After Wife Helen Gibbins’ Death, Reveals He Still Speaks Aloud to Her

Michael Palin Reflects on Grief and Legacy Two Years After Wife Helen’s Passing
(Image: Michael Palin in a recent interview, reflecting thoughtfully.)

Monty Python star Sir Michael Palin, 82, has opened up about navigating life after the death of his wife of 57 years, Helen, who passed away in May 2023. The couple, who met as teenagers in Suffolk and married at 22, shared three children—Thomas, 56, William, 53, and Rachel, 49. Helen battled chronic pain and kidney failure in her final years before her death at London’s Marie Curie Hospice.

In an emotional interview with Saga Magazine, Palin revealed how his grief has evolved. “It becomes less about loss and more about the spirit of that person being around,” he said. He often imagines Helen’s presence, laughing at his own mishaps as she would. “Imagining her there makes me laugh,” he shared.

(Image: Michael and Helen smiling together at an event in 2009.)

A Lifelong Partnership
The childhood sweethearts reconnected at Oxford University, forging a bond that endured six decades. Palin admitted regret over traveling for work during Helen’s illness, including trips to North Korea and Iraq. “She didn’t want me to go, but she understood my passion,” he said. His recent memoir, There and Back, documents this period, with writing serving as a therapeutic outlet. “Writing helped me deal with her pain and our journey,” he explained.

Keeping Her Memory Alive
Helen’s belongings remain untouched in their home, a comforting reminder of their life together. “Her clothes are still in the cupboards. I feel her presence here,” Palin told The Times. He refuses to move, cherishing the memories embedded in their shared space. “Everything around me has a story,” he said.

(Image: The Palins in 1986, laughing during a family outing.)

Moving Forward, Not Moving On
While Palin has adapted to solitude, he dismisses the idea of new love. “You can’t replace 60 years. I’m OK on my own,” he stated. He focuses on family and work, though he misses “the little things”—like sharing stories after evenings out. “It’s still difficult without her,” he admitted, particularly when cooking, a task Helen once handled.

(Image: Helen and Michael at their 50th anniversary celebration in 2016.)

Palin’s resilience shines through humor and reflection. “I’m not moping,” he insists, embracing life’s adventures while honoring Helen’s enduring influence. Her spirit, he says, remains his guiding force.

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Image suggestions placed at key moments to highlight their relationship timeline and Palin’s reflections.