Gloria Hunniford Net Worth, Age, Husband, Children, Height, Career and More

Gloria Hunniford remains one of the most recognisable broadcasters in the United Kingdom, known for her warmth, professionalism, and decades of contributions to television, radio, music, and charity. Her career has moved across generations and platforms, giving her a reputation for reliability and authority in consumer journalism, daytime TV, and human-interest storytelling.

As of 2025, she continues to work despite recently turning eighty five, and her life story reflects both resilience and commitment to public service.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Education

Gloria Hunniford was born in Portadown in County Armagh. She grew up in a Protestant household where performance and entertainment were normal parts of family life. Her father worked as a magician and performed locally, which exposed her to stages, audiences, and showmanship from early childhood.

A major turning point in her youth came when she discovered her talent for singing. She performed in school halls and church events, which helped her develop confidence and a distinct presence. These early performances were more than hobbies because they introduced her to structured entertainment and gave her a pathway into professional life.

Gloria spent part of her teenage years in Ontario in Canada. She was surrounded by local radio stations that played a wider range of music than she had grown up with. This exposure to broadcasting shaped her understanding of how voices could influence audiences. It encouraged her to consider media work even before opportunities arrived. The combination of family entertainment culture and early radio influence became the central turning point that set her on the path toward national broadcasting.

Gloria Hunniford’s Career and Rise to Fame

Gloria Hunniford built her career step by step rather than through a single breakthrough moment. Her work expanded from regional broadcasting to national prominence, and she became associated with some of the UK’s most enduring media programmes.

Early Broadcasting Career

Her first professional role was as a production assistant at UTV in Belfast. It was here that she met producer Don Keating, who later became her first husband. Working behind the scenes gave her practical knowledge of scheduling, scripting, and programme organisation. Producers noticed her confident speaking voice, which led to opportunities as a local radio broadcaster for the BBC in Northern Ireland.

She became known for her calm presentation style. This opened doors to more visible programming, including reporting roles that required live interviews and public interaction.

Good Evening Ulster and Regional Television Growth

Her first major television recognition came through Good Evening Ulster on the BBC. She presented this programme from 1978 to 1987. The show became a major platform for Northern Irish stories during politically sensitive years. Gloria earned respect for handling community interviews and sensitive topics with balance and clarity.

The visibility she gained from the programme positioned her for a national transition. Producers in London started requesting her for guest appearances and specialist reporting.

National Television Presence

By the early 1980s, her television career expanded across major networks.

Key achievements include:

• Hosting the ITV programme Sunday Sunday from 1982 to 1990.
• Co presenting We Love TV from 1984 to 1986.
• Becoming a familiar contributor to daytime programming, including This Morning and The One Show.
• Presenting Open House with Gloria Hunniford on Channel 5 from 1998 to 2003.

Her consumer journalism reached a new level when she joined Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville to co present Rip Off Britain on BBC One. This programme became one of the UK’s leading consumer rights formats and positioned Gloria as an advocate for transparency in public services and business practices.

She also became a regular panellist on Loose Women on ITV. Her views on family, ageing, charity work, and broadcasting added credibility and experience to the panel.

Later Television Projects

Gloria maintained a strong screen presence into her seventies and eighties. Some of her later media appearances include:

• Home Away from Home on BBC One in 2014.
• Food Truth or Scare on BBC One in 2016.
• Narration for the travel series Get Away for Winter in 2018.
• Participation in B and B by the Sea in 2023.
• A memorable appearance as Snow Leopard on The Masked Singer in 2022.

Her decision to join The Masked Singer showed her willingness to experiment with new formats and connect with younger audiences.

Music and Writing

Before she became known primarily as a broadcaster, Gloria Hunniford built a career as a singer. She recorded albums in the 1960s and 1970s, performing both pop and easy listening tracks. She appeared on television as a musical guest and once performed at the Royal Variety Show, which marked a high point in her singing career.

Her writing career grew later in life. She authored books dealing with family, personal experience, and grief. Much of her writing was influenced by the loss of her daughter Caron Keating, a well known television presenter who died of breast cancer in 2004. Gloria’s books reflect resilience and acts of remembrance, and many readers connect with their honesty and clarity.

What is Gloria Hunniford’s Net Worth

According to multiple financial tracking outlets, Gloria Hunniford has an estimated net worth of 4 million pounds as of 2025. She earns from television presenting, radio work, published books, music royalties, public speaking, and occasional brand partnerships.

Breakdown of likely financial categories includes:

• Television contracts and BBC presenting roles.
• Long term radio income from BBC Radio 2.
• Publishing royalties from books related to family stories and personal experience.
• Music performance and older recording royalties.
• Corporate speaking engagements connected to charity and health advocacy.

There is no Forbes profile specifically for Gloria Hunniford, but multiple UK media financial reports place her within the 3 to 5 million pound range.

Personal Life and Milestones

Gloria has experienced significant personal milestones that shaped her public and private life. She married Don Keating in 1970. They had three children together, including their daughter Caron Keating, who became a well known broadcaster. Gloria and Don divorced in 1992.

In 1998, she married Stephen Way, a well known hairdresser and stylist. Their marriage lasted twenty six years until Stephen’s death in August 2024 at the age of eighty five. Gloria described their relationship as one built on patience, partnership, and mutual support. She continued living in Sevenoaks in Kent, where they shared their home.

Her daughter Caron died from breast cancer in 2004. This loss reshaped Gloria’s work and charitable commitments. She co founded the Caron Keating Foundation, which supports cancer charities and offers financial help to families facing critical illness. Her work with the foundation led to her appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2017.

In June 2022, she suffered a fall at home and fractured a bone beneath her eye. This incident forced her to miss events connected to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Her recovery and public return demonstrated her resilience in later life.

Gloria turned eighty five in April 2025. She continues to appear on television and radio, maintaining one of the longest active careers in British broadcasting.

Controversies

Gloria Hunniford has maintained a reputation for professionalism and stability, but a few situations have generated media attention. These events were not major scandals but were treated as public debate.

• Gloria was occasionally criticised for statements on daytime television that some viewers considered outdated. Commentators alleged that her remarks reflected generational differences rather than intentional offence.
• A minor presenting dispute on Loose Women involved audience claims that she interrupted guests too frequently during debates. Producers addressed the issue informally.
• In consumer journalism, Rip Off Britain occasionally faced claims from companies that the programme was unfair or selective in its reporting. Gloria was included in public responses because of her role as presenter, though the BBC handled editorial decisions.

None of these situations resulted in legal action or formal reprimand. Public records show no serious allegations of misconduct against her.

Legacy and Influence

Gloria Hunniford’s legacy is shaped by her longevity, adaptability, and public service. She is one of the few broadcasters whose career spans radio, regional television, national television, music, and authorship.

Her influence includes:

• Becoming the first woman to host a daily show on BBC Radio 2.
• Establishing herself as a trusted voice in consumer journalism through Rip Off Britain.
• Opening national conversations about grief and family loss through her books and charity work.
• Providing representation for older women on daytime television panels.
• Encouraging visibility for Northern Irish broadcasters in the United Kingdom.

Many current presenters acknowledge her as an early role model. Figures such as Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville have publicised their appreciation of her professional consistency. Younger presenters also cite her as proof that multi decade careers in broadcasting are achievable.

Her charity contributions through the Caron Keating Foundation remain central to her public image. Thousands of families have received support from the foundation since its creation.

Conclusion

Gloria Hunniford stands as one of the most enduring figures in British broadcasting. Her journey from a musical childhood in Portadown to national television prominence reflects discipline, creativity, and emotional integrity. She adapted across formats, embraced new audiences, and used personal challenges to create meaningful charitable work.

Her influence extends beyond entertainment. It reaches into public advocacy, family support, and the evolution of women in media. As of 2025, she continues to shape British television through experience, empathy, and a career that remains active at eighty five years old.

FAQs

What age is Gloria Hunniford?
She is eighty five years old.

Where was Gloria Hunniford born?
She was born in Portadown Northern Ireland.

Is Gloria Hunniford still on Rip Off Britain?
She continues to appear on the programme.

What happened to Gloria Hunniford’s daughter?
Her daughter Caron died of breast cancer in 2004.

What is Gloria Hunniford’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth in 2025 is around four million pounds.