Latest news with #MontyPython
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Monty Python' star Michael Palin, 82, details his will plans after losing wife: ‘I do think about death'
Sir Michael Palin has plans in place for his inevitable death. The 82-year-old star of the British comedy troupe Monty Python revealed that he's organized his will and instructed his loved ones on what to do when he dies following his wife's passing in 2023. Speaking on the podcast 'On the Marie Curie Couch,' Palin got real about his end-of-life arrangements, noting that losing his significant other has helped his family be more open about the end. 15 Michael Palin attends the world premiere of the 'Ocean with David Attenborough' documentary. REUTERS 'I do think about death, and the family are rather wonderful about it: 'Have you made a will? Can I be in your will?'' the English comedian shared on Wednesday's episode of the podcast 'On the Marie Curie Couch.' 'I've made my will and all that. My family, my children, know where to find what they need to find should I die,' he added. Palin made sure to note that he still finds the humor in his demise by revealing each of his three children — Thomas, 56, William, 54, and Rachel, 50 — has his passwords 'in case I get run over by a bus.' 15 Michael Palin lost his wife of over 50 years in 2023. JA / BACKGRID 15 The comedian noted that his wife's death has made his family more open about his last years. AFP/Getty Images The actor and writer lost his wife, Helen Gibbins, in 2023 to chronic kidney disease. Palin, himself, has also gone through his own health battle. In 2019, he underwent heart surgery to repair a mitral valve and shared how the experience made him more aware of his body. 'However fit you are, anything might happen,' Palin explained on the podcast. 'But I don't dwell on mortality. I dwell on life.' 15 Actor/Writer John Cleese, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, writer Michael Palin and wife Helen Gibbins attend 'A Fish Called Wanda' in 1988. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 15 John Cleese, Michael Palin and Graham Chapman in 'Life of Brian.' ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection 15 Michael Palin in the 1979 flick 'The Life of Brian.' ©Orion Pictures Corp/Courtesy Everett Collection While he stays active with work, the comedian noted that at 82, he's older than any of his other male relatives in the last 200 years. However, he still feels his age at times. 'I kid myself that I'm going to be alright, and yet I know that I won't because you feel tired at certain times. You're slightly unsteady as you get out of bed, and you think, what's happening? Well, the old car's getting a bit rusty,' the star shared. 15 Michael Palin and Helen Gibbins in London on January 28, 1997. Mirrorpix via Getty Images 15 Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Carol Cleveland in Monty Python's 'The Meaning of Life.' ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection Palin also said that undergoing heart surgery 'saved my life, really.' He explained: 'And so I've been through that, which I think is quite important – to know that your body is vulnerable. And the older you get, the more vulnerable it is.' The legendary funnyman, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, opened up about his wife's death during the interview, too. 15 Rear from left: Michael Palin, Eric Idle, front from left: Graham Chapman as King Arthur, Terry Jones in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail.' Courtesy Everett Collection 15 Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle, John Oliver, and Terry Jones pose for a photo backstage at the 'Monty Python And The Holy Grail' special screening in 2015. Stephen Lovekin 15 Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam in 1971. The pair wed in 1966 and were married for 57 years when she passed away two years ago. Palin admitted, 'There was a time when I didn't think it was going to get better. I thought, gosh, it's just going to be poignant days. I'm going to break into tears every now and then.' However, he shared, 'It does get better and it does adjust. And after two years now I feel I could think of Helen. I'm surrounded by her anyway. I've got photos. 15 Another image of John Cleese, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Palin and Helen Gibbins at 'A Fish Called Wanda' premiere. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 'I haven't got rid of anything to do with her. The family embody what she was to them and that's all made it much, much easier.' Calling losing the love of his life 'a sucker punch,' Palin said no one can predict the future. 'You absolutely don't know,' he reflected. 'You just don't know what's going to happen or how you're going to feel or how you're going to react.' 15 Eric Idle, John Cleese and Michael Palin in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail.' Python Pictures. Courtesy: Everett Collection. 15 Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones in 'Monty Python's Flying Circus.' When asked how he'd like to be remembered in life, Palin replied, 'I don't want to feel that I've been exalted on any sort of pinnacle in any shape or form.' He credited his late wife for keeping his ego in check. 'Helen was very strong on that… She was obviously pleased that I had been successful at certain things, but didn't go on about it a lot. She was far more interested in whether I was going to be able to mend the tyre on the car,' he said. Palin shared a silly example of their marriage dynamic, reminiscing about calling her from 12,000 feet in the air while filming in Tibet. 15 The Monty Python Troupe (1969) Bottom Row (l to r): Terry Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin Top Row (l to r): Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam. 'I remember ringing up from the middle of the Tibetan Plateau,' he said. 'And I'm saying, 'Guess where I am?' She says, 'Well, I don't care where you are. Where's the plumber's number? The bathroom boiler's gone and it's making a terrible hissing noise.'' He noted that by the end of their conversation, 'I hadn't told her anything about the magnificent landscape… So there we are. That's sort of what life is, and I think that's what death is as well.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Michael Palin admits he's 'preparing to die' in sad update
In a new interview, the Monty Python star shared that he has spoken to his children about his death, sharing that they "know where to find what they need to find should I die". It comes as the TV star and comedian recently opened up about the loss of his wife Helen, who passed away in 2023. Discussing their relationship, Sir Michael said: "Helen and I met on holiday in 1959. I was about 16 at the time. "It was a holiday romance that built up to a long marriage. "There was always a feeling that we were a unit – I hadn't really realised until that, after she'd died." Adding: "That was a difficult thing: there was half of your life gone. I still say, 'We've got in our garden…', 'We have two grandchildren…' although she's still here. I still use the 'we'. I find it almost impossible to say, 'I am...'" Sir Michael Palin shares that he's preparing for the end of life Sir Michael also opened up about his health, speaking on the Marie Curie Couch podcast, the TV star explained that his late wife had some health problems. Sharing: "She had some problems with her heart. The gradual withdrawal from life was something I think she found very, very difficult; she was a gregarious person and full of fun. "In the end, she was diagnosed with kidney failure. Then she got pneumonia and we went into hospital. We had a pretty bad experience there." Following Helen's death, Sir Michael admitted that he had thought about death more and discussed it with his children, William, Rachel and Thomas. Adding: "I do think about death and the family are rather wonderful about it: "Have you made a will? Can I be in your will?" Recommended Reading "I've made my will and all that. My family, my children, know where to find what they need to find should I die." The TV star added that he still works but is "slightly unsteady" now: "I kid myself that I'm going to be alright, and yet I know that I won't because you feel tired at certain times. "You're slightly unsteady as you get out of bed, and you think, what's happening? Well, the old car's getting a bit rusty."
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Sir Michael Palin's sad update as he says he is preparing for the end of his life
Sir Michael Palin shared a heartbreaking update on his life and next steps as he gets older Sir Michael Palin announced he has made preparations for the end of his life. In a new interview, the Monty Python star opened up about his will and how his kids "know where to find what they need to find should I die". The 83-year-old candidly spoke about the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Helen who passed away in 2023. Speaking about their relationship and life together, he stated: "Helen and I met on holiday in 1959. I was about 16 at the time. It was a holiday romance that built up to a long marriage. There was always a feeling that we were a unit – I hadn't really realised until that after she'd died." He continued: "That was a difficult thing: there was half of your life gone. I still say 'We've got in our garden', 'We have two grandchildren'. "I still use the 'we'. I find it almost impossible to say 'I am'." Speaking on the Marie Curie Couch podcast, he explained that Helen had been in pain for several years following a knee replacement before a "number of different things were diagnosed". He explained: "She had some problems with her heart. The gradual withdrawal from life was something I think she found very, very difficult; she was a gregarious person and full of fun. In the end, she was diagnosed with kidney failure. Then she got pneumonia and we went into hospital. We had a pretty bad experience there." Michael went on to say that the care Helen received at a Marie Curie hospice had made a big difference in her happiness, sharing that Helen was happier during the last few days of her life than she had been in the previous six years, the Mirror reports. The TV star has three children with his late wife - William, Rachel and Thomas. Speaking about his children and his death, he admitted: "I do think about death and the family are rather wonderful about it. "I've made my will and all that. My family, my children, know where to find what they need to find should I die." Michael shared that he doesn't think about dying or fear it, instead he lives for each day but admitted he is often "slightly unsteady" on his feet some days. He stated: "I'm 82 now, which is longer than any Palin male has lived for 200 years. I keep fit and I'm working, fortunately, and doing some quite difficult stuff, filming and all that. "I kid myself that I'm going to be alright, and yet I know that I won't because you feel tired at certain times. You're slightly unsteady as you get out of bed, and you think, what's happening? Well, the old car's getting a bit rusty." Michael had previously undergone open heart surgery back in 2019, and admitted that Helen's passing had helped the whole family speak more openly about death, something which he was discouraged from doing as a kid.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Michael Palin admits he's 'preparing to die' in sad update
In a new interview, the Monty Python star shared that he has spoken to his children about his death, sharing that they "know where to find what they need to find should I die". It comes as the TV star and comedian recently opened up about the loss of his wife Helen, who passed away in 2023. Discussing their relationship, Sir Michael said: "Helen and I met on holiday in 1959. I was about 16 at the time. "It was a holiday romance that built up to a long marriage. A post shared by Michael Palin (@ "There was always a feeling that we were a unit – I hadn't really realised until that, after she'd died." Adding: "That was a difficult thing: there was half of your life gone. I still say, 'We've got in our garden…', 'We have two grandchildren…' although she's still here. I still use the 'we'. I find it almost impossible to say, 'I am...'" Sir Michael also opened up about his health, speaking on the Marie Curie Couch podcast, the TV star explained that his late wife had some health problems. Sharing: "She had some problems with her heart. The gradual withdrawal from life was something I think she found very, very difficult; she was a gregarious person and full of fun. "In the end, she was diagnosed with kidney failure. Then she got pneumonia and we went into hospital. We had a pretty bad experience there." A post shared by Crossed Wires Festival (@crossedwiresfest) Following Helen's death, Sir Michael admitted that he had thought about death more and discussed it with his children, William, Rachel and Thomas. Adding: "I do think about death and the family are rather wonderful about it: "Have you made a will? Can I be in your will?" Recommended Reading Only Fools and Horses star Sir David Jason admits 'it's over now' due to health Sir David Jason admits the one 'disappointment' he had with own beloved show Sir David Jason shares honest thoughts on Ronnie Barker years after tragic death "I've made my will and all that. My family, my children, know where to find what they need to find should I die." The TV star added that he still works but is "slightly unsteady" now: "I kid myself that I'm going to be alright, and yet I know that I won't because you feel tired at certain times. "You're slightly unsteady as you get out of bed, and you think, what's happening? Well, the old car's getting a bit rusty."
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Michael Palin says he's preparing for the end of his life in moving update
Sir Michael Palin says he has made preparations for the end of his life. In a new interview, the Monty Python star spoke about his will and how his kids "know where to find what they need to find should I die". The TV star has opened up about the devastating loss of his wife, Helen, who died in 2023, reports The Mirror. Speaking about their romance and life together, he said: "Helen and I met on holiday in 1959. I was about 16 at the time. It was a holiday romance that built up to a long marriage. There was always a feeling that we were a unit – I hadn't really realised until that after she'd died. "That was a difficult thing: there was half of your life gone. I still say, 'We've got in our garden...', 'We have two grandchildren...' although she's still here. I still use the 'we'. I find it almost impossible to say, 'I am...'." In an interview for the On the Marie Curie Couch podcast, Michael explained that his wife had been in pain for years following a knee replacement before a "number of different things were diagnosed". "She had some problems with her heart. The gradual withdrawal from life was something I think she found very, very difficult; she was a gregarious person and full of fun. In the end, she was diagnosed with kidney failure. Then she got pneumonia and we went into hospital. We had a pretty bad experience there," he explained. Michael Palin with his late wife, Helen (Image: Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock) He said the care she had received at a Marie Curie hospice had made all the difference and that she was happier during her last few days than in the previous six years of her life. Michael has three children with his late wife Helen - William, Rachel and Thomas. He admitted: "I do think about death and the family are rather wonderful about it: 'Have you made a will?' 'Can I be in your will?' "I've made my will and all that. My family, my children, know where to find what they need to find should I die." He insisted he doesn't dwell on mortality and lives for each day but admits he's "slightly unsteady" on his feet from time to time. He said: "I'm 82 now, which is longer than any Palin male has lived for 200 years. I keep fit and I'm working, fortunately, and doing some quite difficult stuff, filming and all that. "I kid myself that I'm going to be alright, and yet I know that I won't because you feel tired at certain times. You're slightly unsteady as you get out of bed, and you think, 'what's happening?' Well, the old car's getting a bit rusty." Michael had open heart surgery back in 2019 and says the death of his wife Helen had helped the whole family look at death in a more direct way, something which he was discouraged from doing as a kid. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
