Sir Michael Palin has spoken about how his late wife Helen Gibbins has influenced his career during a talk at GH Live, in partnership with Dyson.
The Monthy Pyton star and author chatted to Good Housekeeping’s Editorial Director Gaby Huddart before a live audience on Saturday 11 November.
Discussing his marriage , Sir Michael, whose wife has passed away earlier this year, said: “I was married for 57 years, and it was an extraordinary relationship.
"Helen was always in the background and she was quite happy about that but all the major decisions in my career have always been influenced by her.”
Asked about his attitude to women in general, the star added: “Women are incredibly under-represented in the world. Men’s contributions can be a bit boorish and macho. Women have a much more subtle understanding what life is about. They know about their responsibilities, and they understand life better in certain ways.
"Something we do, when we travel is to always try to get the female perspective."
The star also shared some insights about his latest book, Great-Uncle Harry: A Tale of War and Empire, which is a captivating story about the relative he lost at the Battle of the Somme.
At a time when more and more people are interested in genealogy, he shared tips on how to find out more about your roots and family: "There are lot of websites now dedicated to genealogy, you've just got to find the one that suit you.
"It also helps to look what the person might have been doing. For example, if they worked in the police, check police records. Be as particular as you can be, the more details you have the better."
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