Dame Mary Berry has offered a heartfelt update on her husband Paul Hunnings, following a frightening accident last month in which he fell at home and broke several of his ribs. The beloved culinary icon—well known for her long tenure on The Great British Bake Off and her classic cooking shows—shared how deeply his injury has affected both of them and how she is caring for him.

A Lifetime Together, and a Scary Fall
Mary Berry, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday, has been married to Paul Hunnings since 1966. Their enduring partnership spans decades. The couple raised three children—Thomas, Annabel, and William, the latter tragically lost in a car accident in 1989 (Source: Wikipedia). Last month, Mary revealed to Saga Magazine that Paul had “just had a tumble, with broken ribs,” and she described the situation as worrying but said his condition is slowly improving (Source: Yahoo News / The Standard).

Reflecting on the accident, Mary expressed deep sympathy, noting that she finds it “a sheer pleasure” to care for him in his more fragile years. She said that though he is not as strong as he used to be, his gratitude and appreciation make the caregiving feel rewarding (Source: Saga Magazine via media reports).

A Frail but Cherished Husband
In a recent interview with Yours Magazine, Mary painted a tender picture of her relationship with Paul now. She admitted that he is “terribly frail,” but also underscored just how much he is loved and well looked after. In one intimate moment she recalled, as she was leaving him, she prepared a small plate of smoked salmon, added a wedge of lemon, and neatly cut the crusts off his bread. Though he does not drink with his meals, Mary said she would happily “do the drinking” once she returned home (Source: media interview coverage).

Mary’s words clearly show how her feelings for Paul have deepened now that age and health have changed their dynamic. She confessed she loves him “far more now than I’ve ever done before” and that caring for him “in his dotage” brings her great fulfillment (Source: Yahoo News).

Shared History and Commitment
Their long romance has a few charming twists: Mary once revealed that Paul proposed to her three times before she accepted. On an episode of her BBC show, Mary Berry Everyday, they reminisced about that early courtship, with Mary teasing him that he might have been a little too inebriated during his first proposal. Eventually, Paul made an emotional plea: “I’m getting on in age. So either it’s yes or no,” she recalled, which led to her heartfelt “yes” (Source: media retrospective).

Over nearly six decades of marriage, their bond has weathered both joy and grief. Mary has spoken publicly about how her Christian faith strengthened her after the traumatic loss of their son William, describing how her belief gave her comfort and resilience during dark times (Source: Christian Today).

Staying Active and Connected
Even at 90, Mary remains remarkably active and engaged with life. She and Paul have taken up croquet as a shared, gentle sport. According to Hello! Magazine, Paul, although frail, still plays with an “eye for a ball,” and the outdoor game has become one of their favorite pastimes (Source: Hello! Magazine). Mary has said she prefers outdoor activity over the gym, and they both draw strength from being outside together (Source: Hello! Magazine).

Mary’s commitment to Paul is deeply rooted in her values. In a conversation with Woman & Home, she referenced their marriage vows, saying, “I look after him—that’s what I promised to do … for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer. And we are very happy in our dotage” (Source: Woman & Home).

Faith, Love, and a Legacy of Care
Throughout their long life together, Mary’s Christian faith has been a cornerstone of her strength. She has shared that her faith grew through the grief of losing her son and remains a guiding force in how she lives, loves, and supports others (Source: Christian Today).

As Paul recovers from his broken ribs, Mary continues to care for him with patience, tenderness, and a deep gratitude for their decades together. Her public reflections serve as a powerful reminder that love in later life can take new, meaningful forms—and that caring for a loved one can strengthen, not weaken, a relationship.