The former Bake Off star has previously opened up about her son’s heartbreaking passing.
How did Mary Berry’s son William die?
Mary Berry’s son William tragically died in a car accident while home from University in 1989 aged just 19.
She was informed of her son’s death when a policeman rang the doorbell while she was waiting for him and his sister Annabel to return home for lunch.
He just looked so beautiful and so lovely, his little cold face and it was nice to say farewell
Mary Berry
In his final days, the family spent Friday evening together over a lamb meal Mary had made for William’s return from Bristol Polytechnic where he was studying business studies.
On the Saturday morning, he asked to borrow the car, but just hours later he died in a fatal accident.
What has Mary Berry said about her son William?
During The Mary Berry Story, a BBC documentary about her life, the national treasure revealed her personal heartache over losing her beloved son William at such a young age.
She recalled the weekend she lost him: “It was a glorious January day and it was sort of 1 o’clock and he wasn’t home.
“The doorbell rang and there was a policeman there, and immediately then I knew why.
“And he said, ‘There’s been an accident and I’m sorry to say your son is dead”.
Mary and her husband Paul rushed to the hospital to see their son, she said: “He just looked so beautiful and so lovely, his little cold face and it was nice to say farewell.”
Does Mary Berry have any other children?
Mary married Paul Hunnings in 1966.
They had three children together — Thomas born in 1968, William in 1969 and Annabel in 1972.
Annabel Hunnings is a professionally trained cook and went into business with her mother Mary in the 90s making salad dressings, chutneys and sauces. The former Great British Bake Off judge sold off the company in 2014 for £2.5million.
First-born son Thomas Hunnings is a tree surgeon based in Oxfordshire.
She also has five grandchildren.
Where to seek support
Help with grief is available via:
You’re Not Alone
Check out these books, podcasts and apps that all expertly navigate grief…
- Griefcast: Cariad Lloyd interviews comedians on this award-winning podcast.
- The Madness Of Grief by Rev Richard Coles (£9.99, W&N): The Strictly fave writes movingly on losing his husband David to alcoholism.
- Terrible, Thanks For Asking: Podcast host Nora McInerny encourages non-celebs to share how they’re really feeling.
- Good Mourning by Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn (£14.99, Murdoch Books): A guide for people who’ve suffered sudden loss, like the authors who both lost their mums.
- Grief Works: Download this for daily meditations and expert tips.
- How To Grieve Like A Champ by Lianna Champ (£3.99, Red Door Press): A book for improving your relationship with death.