Sir Michael Parkinson: who was Parky’s wife and how many children did he have?

Celebrated talk show host Sir Michael Parkinson has died after a short illness at the age of 88, his family confirmed this morning. A statement from his family said: "After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve."

To say that “Parky” was a household name would be an incredible understatement; he, much akin to Terry Wogan, became not only a British institution but a cultural icon with his memorable interviews with his personal favourite interviewee, Muhammed Ali, “that” chat with Meg Ryan and being the star of BBC’s controversial 1992 Halloween special, “Ghost Watch.”

Born in 1935 in Cudworth, South Yorkshire and raised by a miner father, he developed a strong affinity for cricket. Despite obtaining only two O-Levels (the equivalent of today’s A Levels), he secured a job compiling sports results at a local newspaper. After a stint in the British army, he transitioned into journalism, working for the Manchester Guardian and later the Daily Express in London.

Transitioning to television, he became a notable current affairs presenter and reporter for Granada and the BBC. His breakthrough came with his eponymous talk show on BBC One. His television repertoire expanded to include hosting the game show Give Us a Clue, ITV's TV-am breakfast show, and BBC One's Going For a Song. A Sky Arts series called “Michael Parkinson: Masterclass” was part of his later works from 2012 to 2014.

Parkinson's contributions to media were recognized with a CBE in 2000 and a knighthood in 2008. Notably, he openly shared his battle with prostate cancer, undergoing radiotherapy treatment in 2013 and receiving the all-clear from doctors two years later.

Who was Sir Michael Parkinson’s wife?

Sir Michael Parkinson's wife was Mary Parkinson (née Heneghan). They got married in 1959. Mary Parkinson is a British journalist and television presenter, having been mostly known for her appearances on “Through The Keyhole”. 

She was born on 16 July 1936 in Doncaster, South Yorkshire and met Michael Parkinson on the top deck of a bus in Doncaster. They were married for 60 years until Sir Michael Parkinson's death.

How many children does Michael Parkinson have?

Sir Michael Parkinson and his wife Mary had three children; Andrew, Nicholas, and Michael Jr. Andrew was born in 1960, Nicholas was born in 1964, and Michael Jr. was born in August 1967.