Kerri-Anne Kennerley, 70, reveals how her grief has changed since her husband’s death, the challenges of living alone and the secret to her ageless looks as TV star steps out looking youthful

It’s been five years since the tragic death of her beloved husband John, and Kerri-Anne Kennerly misses her best friend dearly.

John, who married the former Studio 10 host at Sydney’s Opera House in 1984, fell from a balcony in March 2016, leaving him paralyzed and wheelchair-bound.

Kerri-Anne devoted most of her time to his full-time care before he passed away on February 27, 2019, at the age of 78.

Speaking to Ny Breaking Australia at the Mercedes-Benz Women in Business event this week, the Australian TV legend, 70, said her grief has changed over the years.

“It’s just week, month after month. You just have to work through it and try to be as logical as possible,” she explained.

‘And resilience I think. I have always been strong in resilience. Resilience is one of the most important human qualities that should be included in the school curriculum from the age of five. When they taught children how to be resilient as part of the curriculum, the glass was half full, not half empty.

‘I think we have a much better society. It’s just as important as you know, English and math.’

Kerri-Anne also spoke about the challenges of living alone, saying it’s the little things she misses about having a better half at home, like someone to zip up your outfit.

‘I couldn’t get the zipper down (putting on my Balmain jumpsuit today). I had to knock on my girlfriend’s door,” she said, laughing.

‘I called and said, ‘Are you home? Please tell me you’re home.’ So I trudged down the hall and she had to zip me up, because when you live alone you can’t zip up!’

Kerri-Anne’s last major television appearance was in last year’s I’m A Celebrity alongside Domenica Calarco, Harry Garside and Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson.

The former queen of daytime television previously hosted Channel Ten’s now axed morning show Studio 10, but was ordered out in August 2020 as Network Ten desperately tried to cut costs during the Covid pandemic.

Her departure from the show coincided with Studio 10’s content becoming more politically progressive, as well as a sharp decline in ratings.

In November 2023, a spokesperson for Ten confirmed that the controversial Studio 10 had officially axed after more than a decade on air.

She now focuses on serving on the boards of several organizations and charities, and enjoys her two greatest passions: travel and golf.

‘I travel a lot and I love it. In two weeks I’m going to Istanbul, London, Jersey, back to London, it’s fantastic,” she explained.

‘And then on August 16 I’m heading to the Kimberley on Scenic Eclipse for an 11-day cruise to Perth. And then I think I have a friend in December who is doing big tennis events, and she has a big event in New York in early December.”

She added that she has no plans to return to the TV screens anytime soon due to the grueling hours, but wouldn’t rule out a small project here and there.

‘I don’t even want to work five or six days a week. If you get a five-day-a-week job, it’s six days a week,” she said.

‘That is not part of my plan, no, because I have worked very hard for fifty years.

“I realize there are other things you can do, but it would be nice to have a project here and a project there.

“So if there’s something, I’ll think about it. But you know what, it is true. I’m in a different phase of my life. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do a project.’

The ageless beauty also revealed the secret of her ageless appearance and it is something that everyone can afford: happiness.

Indeed, Kerri-Anne proved she was a bare-faced beauty when she stepped out to do some shopping in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Wednesday.

The blonde showed off her slim figure in black zip-up fleece and blue paisley print joggers.

Her blonde hair was freshly styled and the television star looked youthful, without make-up.

She also looked sensational in a figure-hugging Balmain jumpsuit at the annual Mercedes-Benz Sydney Women in Business event earlier this week.

She paired her designer ensemble with Chanel necklaces and gold shimmering Giuseppe Zanotti stilettos.

“I have to say this number one: love life,” she said of her good looks and feelings.

“Life has its challenges, but then, you know, you suck it up, princess, and you get on with it.

‘I like to eat, drink and be cheerful, and it is easier to be happy than to be sad.

“Sad is hard, it’s exhausting, and I think you really have to make a concerted effort to be happier and work on things to make them brighter.”