'Monty Python' star Michael Palin, 82, preparing for his death
Share and Follow

Sir Michael Palin has plans in place for his inevitable death.

The 82-year-old actor from the British comedy group Monty Python has disclosed that he has sorted out his will and provided guidance to his family on the steps to take when he passes away, following the death of his wife in 2023.

During his appearance on the podcast “On the Marie Curie Couch,” Palin discussed his preparations for the end of his life, mentioning that his wife’s loss has encouraged his family to be more candid about mortality.

“I do consider the topic of death, and my family handles it brilliantly, asking, ‘Have you prepared a will? Can I be included in it?'” the English entertainer remarked on the Wednesday episode of “On the Marie Curie Couch.”

“I’ve made my will and all that. My family, my children, know where to find what they need to find should I die,” he added.

Palin made sure to note that he still finds the humor in his demise by revealing each of his three children — Thomas, 56, William, 54, and Rachel, 50 — has his passwords “in case I get run over by a bus.”

The actor and writer lost his wife, Helen Gibbins, in 2023 to chronic kidney disease. Palin, himself, has also gone through his own health battle.

In 2019, he underwent heart surgery to repair a mitral valve and shared how the experience made him more aware of his body.

“However fit you are, anything might happen,” Palin explained on the podcast. “But I don’t dwell on mortality. I dwell on life.”

While he stays active with work, the comedian noted that at 82, he’s older than any of his other male relatives in the last 200 years.

However, he still feels his age at times.

“I kid myself that I’m going to be alright, and yet I know that I won’t because you feel tired at certain times. You’re slightly unsteady as you get out of bed, and you think, what’s happening? Well, the old car’s getting a bit rusty,” the star shared.

Palin also said that undergoing heart surgery “saved my life, really.”

He explained: “And so I’ve been through that, which I think is quite important – to know that your body is vulnerable. And the older you get, the more vulnerable it is.”

The legendary funnyman, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, opened up about his wife’s death during the interview, too.

The pair wed in 1966 and were married for 57 years when she passed away two years ago.

Palin admitted, “There was a time when I didn’t think it was going to get better. I thought, gosh, it’s just going to be poignant days. I’m going to break into tears every now and then.”

However, he shared, “It does get better and it does adjust. And after two years now I feel I could think of Helen. I’m surrounded by her anyway. I’ve got photos.

“I haven’t got rid of anything to do with her. The family embody what she was to them and that’s all made it much, much easier.”

Calling losing the love of his life “a sucker punch,” Palin said no one can predict the future.

“You absolutely don’t know,” he reflected. “You just don’t know what’s going to happen or how you’re going to feel or how you’re going to react.”

When asked how he’d like to be remembered in life, Palin replied, “I don’t want to feel that I’ve been exalted on any sort of pinnacle in any shape or form.”

He credited his late wife for keeping his ego in check.

“Helen was very strong on that… She was obviously pleased that I had been successful at certain things, but didn’t go on about it a lot. She was far more interested in whether I was going to be able to mend the tyre on the car,” he said.

Palin shared a silly example of their marriage dynamic, reminiscing about calling her from 12,000 feet in the air while filming in Tibet.

“I remember ringing up from the middle of the Tibetan Plateau,” he said. “And I’m saying, ‘Guess where I am?’ She says, ‘Well, I don’t care where you are. Where’s the plumber’s number? The bathroom boiler’s gone and it’s making a terrible hissing noise.’”

He noted that by the end of their conversation, “I hadn’t told her anything about the magnificent landscape… So there we are. That’s sort of what life is, and I think that’s what death is as well.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Revealed: KISS legend Ace Frehley's final photo before his death at 74

Final Snapshot: Remembering KISS Icon Ace Frehley at 74

Renowned KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, cherished by fans throughout his life, remained…
New York AG Letitia James denies federal charges, vows to defend herself

New York Attorney General Letitia James Refutes Federal Charges, Commits to Strong Defense

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) New York State Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat,…
Charges dropped against man accused of leaving dog tied up on I-75 during Milton

Man Cleared of Charges After Dog Found Abandoned on I-75 in Milton

In a recent development, the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office has decided…
Kevin Federline drops claim about Britney Spears 'punching' their son

Kevin Federline’s Shocking Allegation: Unveiling the Truth Behind Britney Spears’ Family Drama

Kevin Federline has made serious accusations against his ex-wife Britney Spears in…
President Donald Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow National Guard deployment in Chicago area

Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court Approval for National Guard Deployment in Chicago

In a move that intensifies tensions between President Donald Trump and Democratic…
John Bolton arrives at court to surrender to authorities on charges in classified information case

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton Surrenders in Court Over Classified Information Allegations

On Friday, John Bolton, the former national security adviser under the Trump…
How Ethan Hawke, Bobby Cannavale prepped for Sardi's-set 'Blue Moon': Drinks with Patti LuPone

Inside the Sardi’s Magic: How Ethan Hawke and Bobby Cannavale’s ‘Blue Moon’ Prepped with Patti LuPone

Welcome to O’Sardi’s! For the upcoming film “Blue Moon,” featuring Ethan Hawke…
Trump to host Zelenskyy at the White House with long-range missiles topping the agenda

Trump to Welcome Zelenskyy to White House: High-Stakes Talks on Long-Range Missile Support

WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit the White…