Hollywood actor Richard E. Grant feels “unbelievable gratitude” to have shared nearly four decades with his late wife Joan, who died in 2021 aged 74, and he still feels like she is sitting in the next room in their cottage.
Richard E. Grant feels “unbelievable gratitude” that he shared nearly four decades with his late wife Joan.
The 69-year-old actor has reflected on the passing of his significant other five years after her death, in September 2021, aged 74, and he still feels as though she is in the next room of their cottage.
In an emotional Instagram video, he said: “Five years ago today, my beloved wife Joan died, at 7:30 in the evening.
“We were holding each other’s hands, when she drew her last breath, and in one sense, five years seems incredibly long, and simultaneously in the blink of an eye.
“Reflecting back on what it’s like to grieve somebody, I feel unbelievable gratitude that I had almost four decades, with her, because more than anybody in the whole world that I have ever met, she got me, and I got her, and that seems to be the kind of holy grail gift that I never anticipated I would find in my life.
“I sure did with her, and she was feisty and challenging and hilarious.
“All sorts, the whole thing, but she got me, and I got her.
“And, of course, our daughter, had a baby 12 weeks ago, and I would love more than anything for her to have held her grandchild but that’s not to be.
“But being in this Gloucestershire cottage, where she died, I’m surrounded by everything we made together and collected, so, even though I’m totally physically alone here, my life is here as though she might be in the next room, in a sense she is and always will be.”
But Richard insisted he is not ready to find love again.
He added: “People keep saying to me, I’m sure with the best intentions, ‘You’ll meet somebody new.’
“For that to happen, I’ve not arrived at that station, so without sounding morbid, I want to celebrate her fifth anniversary. Happy anniversary.”
He wrote in the caption: “Reflecting on the past five years after our 38 years together came to an end at 7.30 in the evening”
Several stars commented on Richard’s video, including Hollywood megastars Jennifer Lopez and Glenn Close.
Jennifer posted a white heart emoji, and Glenn wrote: “I have come to believe that if one finds a true soulmate and partner, that is the greatest gift life can offer.
“I am so deeply moved by the way you talk about Joan and all you have written and shared with us about her – there is boundless joy and love in your grief. Happy Anniversary to you both. [heart emoji]”
Richard E. Grant reflects on 5 years since ‘beloved wife’ Joan’s death
