Mary Berry in a cream dress with Paul Hunnings in a black suit© WPA Pool

Mary Berry's husband: Read about her and Paul's epic love story - and their children

Former Bake Off presenter Mary Berry has been married to Paul Hunnings for over fifty years

Updated: June 25, 2024

Mary Berry is a certified national treasure - her face is instantly recognisable and her culinary influence has been vast but it's not often you hear about her partner in crime, her husband Paul Hunnings.

The couple married in 1966 after he proposed three times and he has been a constant support throughout her career.

They've had three children together, Thomas, Annabel and William, who sadly passed away in a car crash at the age of 19. Still happily married today, here's everything you need to know about the man behind Mary Berry and their 58-years together...

Mary was the most beautiful bride

Paul's career

Now retired, Paul previously worked for a sherry brand, Harvey's of Bristol, and sold antique books throughout his career. 

Marriage

Mary has previously spoken about how she only accepted Paul's third offer of marriage. Back in 2017 for a special edition of her BBC show Mary Berry Everyday, the couple appeared together to talk about their 50 years of marriage together and Mary revealed all. "I do remember the first proposal and I think you were drunk" said Mary to her husband.

Mary confessed Paul was drunk when he popped the question

"Well I might have been," he said. "It's a big step. You don't go into something like that without a bit of fortification." Mary continued: "I think you had too much and I can remember telling you you were drunk and thinking 'I'm not going to have anything to do with this man'. But you came back".

Eventually, Mary accepted Paul's third request after he said to her, "I said 'I'm getting on in age, so either it's yes or no.'"

The couple got married at Charlcombe Church near her parents' home in Bath, where Mary was born. Mary revealed on the show that she actually wore a dress that cost her just five pounds! She also made her own cake, of course.  

Mary made her own wedding cake!

Children

During their relationship, Mary and Paul have welcomed three children: sons Thomas (b. 1968) and William (b. 1969) and daughter Annabel (b. 1972). Thomas has become a tree surgeon and is based in Oxfordshire, while Annabel followed in her mum's footsteps and became a cook. The pair even went into business together and sold a selection of salad dressings, chutneys and sauces.

© WPA Pool

Mary and Paul share three children

Sadly, Mary lost her son William when he died in a car accident. Speaking in a BBC documentary about her life, Mary emotionally shared: "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'."

Speaking about seeing his body, Mary added: "He just looked so beautiful and so lovely, his little cold face and it was nice to say farewell."

Mary's marriage wisdom

With Mary and Paul having had a successful marriage for decades, the TV star is quite the expert on a happt relationship. On getting your husband to do something he might not want to, she revealed to the Daily Mail that it all comes down to food (obviously): "When I want to ask my husband Paul something a bit tricky, such as accompanying me to a grand event when he's not so keen, I always wait until after a particularly tasty meal." 

Mary and Paul couldn't be more in love

On the key to a happy marriage:

"I think it comes down to mutual respect and never letting the sun go down on an argument," she told the Daily Mail. "My husband and I never quarrel because I can’t bear bad feelings between us; if either of us shouted, I would be so upset." 

On remembering what's important: 

"Marriage does get easier with time, though, and we are of a generation who were brought up to believe that it wasn’t all about the perfect wedding day, it was all about the vows: 'For better or worse, till death do us part'. I feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful husband and family."

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