Dame Jenni Murray, who hosted BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour for more than three decades and was a Daily Mail columnist, has died at the age of 75.

Her family said they wished to share ‘the very sad news that their much loved mum and wife, Jenni Murray, died on March 12th’.

One of the nation’s most prominent and respected broadcasters, Dame Jenni joined Woman’s Hour in 1987 and left in 2020 as its longest-serving presenter.

During her time on the show, the formidable presenter conducted memorable interviews with female figures as varied as Bette Davis, Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton and Margaret Atwood.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said described her as a ‘broadcasting icon’.

He said: ‘This is incredibly sad news and our thoughts are with all of Dame Jenni’s family and friends. Dame Jenni was, simply put, a broadcasting icon.

‘Throughout her three groundbreaking decades on Woman’s Hour, Jenni created a safe space for her audience thanks to her warmth, intelligence and courage.

‘We shall all miss her terribly. Her legacy endures in the countless conversations she started, the many issues she championed and the lives she touched.’

Dame Jenni Murray, who hosted BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour for more than three decades, has died at the age of 75

One of the nation’s most prominent and respected broadcasters, Dame Jenni joined Woman’s Hour in 1987 and left in 2020 as its longest-serving presenter

She received her damehood in 2011 in recognition of her contribution to broadcasting, and also won two Sony Awards and was made a member of the Radio Academy Hall of Fame during her career.

In 2006, true to her belief in being straight with her listeners, Dame Jenni announced on air that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy before returning to Radio 4.

Dame Jenni had a grammar school education in her home town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, before going on to study French and drama at the University of Hull.

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